Unquestionably, Wouk's overriding aim in War and Remembrance is to examine the causes and consequences of World War II. A participant in the conflict himself and a devout Orthodox Jew, Wouk is able to concentrate his literary skills in this novel on two subjects close to his heart: his appreciation for the military and his love for his Jewish heritage. The novel reveals the necessity for a strong military force, headed up by men of valor such as Victor Henry, in order for a country to ward off the terrors which may come at any time from demoniac figures who mesmerize their populace and strike out against other nations.

The novel explores the concept of military heroism, and while Pug Henry and his sons are the principal figures who exhibit the kind of courage Wouk admires, the author also provides significant commentary about the historical leaders...