book data
639 ratings, 4.10 average rating, 80 reviews
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published
April 15th 1992
(first published 1951)
by Back Bay Books
binding
Paperback, 560 pages
literary awards
Pulitzer Prize for Fiction (1952)
isbn
0316955108
(isbn13: 9780316955102)
description
Upon its original publication in 1951, this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel was immediately embraced as one of the first serious works of fiction to help...more
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Herman Wouk is not just the master of historical fiction, but he is a master of character development. I think this is the fourth or fifth time I have read this book (I have read almost all of them numerous times, they all exist as proverbial "old friends") and it stacks up more and more in my esteem each time I do. Though it lacks the sweeping history and multi-narratives and locales of "Winds of War" and "War and Remembrance," it does not lack for thoroughly devel...more
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Read in January, 2003
My favorite Pulitzer Prize winning fiction novel. Why?? It is set in World War II and it just tells a story, no deep intellectual meaning, no homosexual subtext, no infidelity, no sex, no profanity for profanity's sake, etc. etc. Just a good story and in the end you don't know who you want to "root" for.
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Read in January, 2002
I reread this classic novel for our reading club. I had first read it many years ago in high school while reading through the complete and unabridged (some twelve or fourteen volumes -- I can't remember exactly) History of US Naval Operations in World War II by Samual Eliot Morison -- a spectacular read I would recommend to anyone. If you have only seen the movie, you must read the book, if for no other rea...more
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This book surprised me! I was not expecting anything from it, and have heard about it for years on end, but Wouk's description of the petty tyrant, the good soul, the sympathetic commander are all classic themes and thrown in with a twist. This is not so much a war novel as it is a tale of humor and human breakdowns. I have never seen the movie, but as I understand it is a classic, I now am inclined to do so.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in October, 2008
recommended to Indira by:
Monika
This book came my way on my recent trip to Germany and I took it to read on the plane ride back to L.A. I never thought I'd read a war book, and it was fascinating and has love stories in it too. So well written. Such a deep look at each character - going beyond the simple "good" guy, "bad guy that characterizes so much of popular literature (especially movies).
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Read in September, 2008
Top Ten Reasons to Give The Caine Mutiny a Chance
10. Wouk's clear, compelling, Pulitzer Prize winning prose.
9. The boredom of military service, even in wartime, has never been so interesting.
8. The USS Caine DMS feels like home -- no matter who's in command.
7. The ineluctable build of Queeg's collapse.
6. Willie's slow and certain becoming.
5. Keefer's behaviour insuring that no side is "right."
4. The best novelized military trial ever written.
3. The comp...more
10. Wouk's clear, compelling, Pulitzer Prize winning prose.
9. The boredom of military service, even in wartime, has never been so interesting.
8. The USS Caine DMS feels like home -- no matter who's in command.
7. The ineluctable build of Queeg's collapse.
6. Willie's slow and certain becoming.
5. Keefer's behaviour insuring that no side is "right."
4. The best novelized military trial ever written.
3. The comp...more
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Read in August, 2005
When I first finished reading this book I wasn't sure that I really liked it at all. I didn't much care for the characters, especially the the main character's love interest. The plot was not so complicated and I struggled to find what people liked so much about it. Underlying the story however is the idea of imperfection, perception and persuasion. As I've thought back on this book, I've realized I relate to and recognize these things in my life and this book has a powerful implication. He...more
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Read in November, 2007
recommends it for:
anyone!
This novel was my introduction to Herman Wouk.
I highly recommend this novel and wish I'd read it earlier. It tells the story of a young Princeton graduate during WWII who joins the Navy as an officer. He is assigned to the Caine--a mine sweeping vessel.
Wouk creates incredibly real, fleshed out characters who act in believable ways under stress. The central question in the story is: what is the role of an officer in wartime if he believes/knows his commander is incompetent. Do you mutiny?...more
I highly recommend this novel and wish I'd read it earlier. It tells the story of a young Princeton graduate during WWII who joins the Navy as an officer. He is assigned to the Caine--a mine sweeping vessel.
Wouk creates incredibly real, fleshed out characters who act in believable ways under stress. The central question in the story is: what is the role of an officer in wartime if he believes/knows his commander is incompetent. Do you mutiny?...more
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Read in June, 2007
I think it's hilarious that I'm reading this, but it's actually entertaining and fast-paced. I saw the play version when I was a child and the only thing I remember is the soliloquy at the end, about concentration camps. I don't even remember whose soliloquy it was. But I'll find out, I guess.
I don't know how I feel about Willie yet, as he seems sort of flat and uninteresting as a character. But I have faith that he'll develop with time.
I don't know how I feel about Willie yet, as he seems sort of flat and uninteresting as a character. But I have faith that he'll develop with time.
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Read in May, 2008
recommended to David by:
Some professor...can't remember his namerecommends it for: Anyone in the military, anyone interested in questions of character and leadership
My only complaint is that this book was about 150 pages too long. I think it would have been a much more powerful book if it was half as long as its current length. Nonetheless, it was a good read and a good excercise of my imagination due to my own ignorance of ships, ocean voyages, and military life. The true mark of a good book is one that you find yourself picking up and re-reading. This is not one of those books.
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Read in January, 1970
This gripping book deserves all the praise it's accumulated over the years. It's a very plausible study of men under stress, and an extremely accurate rendering of the special stresses of life aboard a warship (a 31-year Naval career entitles me to that opinion.) And as a rendering of the nuances of the naval heirarchy, it ranks right up there with "White-Jacket, or the World in a Man-o-War" (also highly recommended.)
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Read in March, 2008
recommended to Tom by:
Son TJ
The story is very good, as is the character development. The story really gets into high gear after the "mutiny". The story doesn't end as I would have expected.
I have have read a lot of naval history type of fiction. In this story, the WWII navy is the backdrop and doesn't get in the way of the story's progress.
I hated for the book to end. This is the only book to which I have given a 5 star rating.
I have have read a lot of naval history type of fiction. In this story, the WWII navy is the backdrop and doesn't get in the way of the story's progress.
I hated for the book to end. This is the only book to which I have given a 5 star rating.
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I thought this was a well-written page turner with incredible characters and plenty of thematic depth. Presents both sides of a complex issue; there are no villians here, only the gray area that comes with war. One of the best accounts of character change I've ever encountered, and probably the best overall book I've read in two or three years. Highly recommended to just about anyone.
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Although navy books aren't necessarily my bag, this Pulitzer Prize winner is a great story that delves into the psyches of several men on a notoriously problematic naval cruiser during (I think!) WWII. I really enjoyed reading it and can see why it was chosen for the prestigious award--it's a solid and complex and interesting story that made me think about my own perceptions and judgments.
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Read in May, 2008
I read it because i loved the movie when I was younger (Humphrey Bogart is amazing in this film), and the book is even better. As it reached the first of two climaxes, I felt I couldn't put it down. I wanted to drop everything;work,sleep,etc. And I knew what was going to happen already!!! So that says something. Great historical fiction. I reccomend it highly.
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Read in November, 2008
While I did enjoy reading this book, it didn't quite blow me away as much as I expected. It took me a while to get into it/interested in what was going on. There's A LOT of detail in the character development. The ending was a bit interesting, and not quite what I was exptecting. All in all I'd recommend it. They need to add 1/2 stars to the rating system.
Read in September, 2008
I enjoyed this book far more than I did when I started it and never finished months ago. It was very interesting and I could hardly put it down. The ending left a lot to be desired, but overall I thought it was worth reading and I am really glad I finally read it all the way through. Now I can say I have never not finished a book club book! =)
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Read in January, 1981
recommends it for:
Mike
I was introduced to this book in high school by my English teacher. It was a book I never would have picked up without his prodding. Since then I've read it at least three times, quite possibly four.
I love the main character, Willie Keith. He's flawed, but tries his best in a difficult situation. That's the best anyone can ask for.
I love the main character, Willie Keith. He's flawed, but tries his best in a difficult situation. That's the best anyone can ask for.
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Read in August, 2008
Excellent book. I've read most of Herman Wouk's books but I don't know why I never got around to reading this one. Many cultural references have originated from this book that I will now understand after reading it. I had heard people refer to bad boss' as Captain Queeg but had no idea what they meant.
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Read in January, 2007
Instead of the technical terminology being a blockade to enjoyment of the novel, I found it all the more fascinating and it definitely helped to keep the pace of the book going at an urgency during the most exciting moments.
A good peek into what makes the men of the military's egos tick.
A good peek into what makes the men of the military's egos tick.
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