Louis De Wohl
Personal Information
Description
Wohl was born in Berlin to a poor Catholic family, with a Hungarian father and Austrian mother of Jewish descent. In 1935, he emigrated to England due to his objections to the Nazi regime. He began writing as early as the age of 7. His teachers praised his ability. At the age of 8 he wrote the play "Jesus of Nazareth" because he didn't like how Jesus was portrayed by some books he read. Writing as Ludwig von Wohl, he became quite a successful novelist during his youth in Germany, where sixteen of his novels were turned into films. The best known of these was the 1934 comedy classic Die englische Heirat (The English Marriage). In an audience with Pope Pius XII he was told to "write about the history and mission of the Church in the World." The Cardinal of Milan, Ildefonso Schuster, came to de Wohl after reading some of his writings telling him "Let your writings be good. For your writings you will one day be judged." From that time, he allegedly believed that he had to write for God, and felt that his earlier novels in the German language were of 'small significance compared to the novels he wrote for the glory of God'.
Books
The second conquest
As a technician working on a space ship orbiting the earth in 2066, the reader makes decisions determining the course of the story after nuclear war breaks out on the planet below.
The restless flame
This is a stirring novel which deals reverently but realistically with the fascinating life and era of St. Augustine, one of the most remarkable men of all time. In his vigorous and inimitable style, Louis de Wohl tells the story of St. Augustine's transformation from a vain, sensual youth to the brilliant, devout writer and theologian - the man who conquered himself as completely as he did the adversaries of the Church - whose literary and philosophical masterpieces were to dominate Western thought for a thousand years. He has carefully re-created the exciting historical background of the time - the turbulent atmosphere of the Roman Empire in the last days of decadence - skillfully weaving together the personalities whose lives closely affected Augustine: Monica, his saintly and heroic mother; majestic Ambrose, Bishop of Milan; and many others whom lend richness and depth to the life story of this great Doctor of the Church. Here is a novel that glistens with the imaginative and vivid drama that epitomized St. Augustine's tumultuous life, presented with a master story-teller's characteristic flair for graphic description, sensitive portraiture and fascinating historical lore.
The golden thread
A stunning picture book biography of the legendary folk musician, labor and civil rights activist, and environmentalist Pete Seeger.