April 17, 1995

Contact: Craig D'Ooge (202) 707-9189

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Herman Wouk To Be Honored at Library of Congress Symposium

"The Historical Novel: A Symposium Honoring Herman Wouk," a program sponsored by the Center for the Book, will be held at the Library of Congress on Monday, May 15, at 2 p.m. in the Mumford Room on the sixth floor of the Madison Building, 101 Independence Ave. S.E. The symposium is free and open to the public. No tickets are required.

Some of the questions that will be addressed are: What is the place of the historical novel in belles lettres? What are the risks in projecting history through fiction? How can serious imaginative literature deal with the epic sweep of events in the twentieth century? Why is the historical novel so popular with readers and so unpopular with most scholars and critics? What are the distinguishing traits of the few historical novels that have endured?

"Herman Wouk is one of America's best-known and most popular writers," said John Y. Cole, director of the Center for the Book. "Through epics such as The Winds of War and War and Remembrance and his more recent The Hope and The Glory, along with earlier novels such as Marjorie Morningstar, he has helped shape the historical novel as we know it."

In addition to Mr. Wouk, symposium participants will include writers and historians Emilie Buchwald, Robert Caro, Alan Cheuse, Christopher Collier, George Garrett, Martin Gilbert, David McCullough, Darden Asbury Pyron, William Safire, Mary Lee Settle, and James West III.

The Center for the Book was established in 1977 to stimulate public interest in books, reading, literacy, and libraries. Its program, which is supported mostly by private funds, reaches into every region of the country through a network of 29 affiliated state centers and 121 national educational and civic organizations.

Interpreting services (American Sign Language, Contact Signing, Oral and Tactile) will be provided if requested five business days in advance of the event. Call (202) 707-6362 TTY and voice to make a specific request. For other ADA accommodations please contact the Disability Employment Program office at (202) 707-9948 TTY and (202) 707-7544 voice.

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PR 95-062
4/14/95
ISSN 0731-3527