The Laughing Wolf

Leon Uris

Leon Uris, an author who helped shape my adolescent years, has passed away. Others are citing his works that pertained to Israel and the Middle East and they are good books, but for me it was another that hit me.

That one was “Battle Cry” and it had an effect on me very different than expected. From about the time I was 8, I read all I could get, or understand, on the Pacific Theatre of WWII. I got his book to read his treatment of that area, and came away with so much more. It taught some life lessons, ranging from overcoming adversity, finding true love, and the fact that eventually you may have to face down one or more of your parents – or your partner’s parents. The key of doing the right thing, even at a cost, resonated with me strongly.

I did not get into many of his other books as much, simply because they did not have as profound an impact as did “Battle Cry.” That is not a fair marker by which to judge books, especially from a good author. I may have to change that in the days ahead, for Leon Uris, and his wife, were powerful writers with a lot of good and interesting things to say.

He will be missed

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