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The Global View
How does a son struggling with his own identity deal with his famous father?Young academic Ephraim Goldman is the author of a perennial bestseller for decades. A celebrated academic lion, he hobnobs with the intelligentsia, the movers and shakers of his era like Einstein, Berenson and Bertrand Russell, and many others. Eph’s son Bernard is a struggling writer, desperate to make his own reputation in the literary world.After the shrewd publisher, Julian De Groot, hires Bernie to write his father’s biography, he stumbles across a startling photograph in his father's house. As the mystery of his father slowly unfolds, Bernard has to come to terms with both the present and the future.But in the end, can he repair his relationship and begin to understand his father... or will long-kept secrets destroy their family?
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About the author
W.L. Liberman
37 books8 followersW.L. Liberman believes in the power of story telling but is not a fan of the often excruciating psychic pain required to bring stories to life. Truthfully, years of effort and of pure, unadulterated toil is demanded. Not to sugar coat it, of course, writing is a serious endeavor. It is plain, hard work. If you’ve slogged away at construction work, at lumber jacking, delivery work, forest rangering, sandwich making, truck driving, house painting, among other things, as I have, writing is far and beyond more rigorous and exhausting. At the end of a long, often tedious, usually mind cracking process, some individual you don’t know pronounces judgment and that judgment is usually a resounding ‘No’. This business of writing is about perseverance and stick-to-it-iveness. When you get knocked down and for most of us, this happens frequently, you take a moment to reflect, to self-pity, then get back at it. You need dogged determination and a thick skin to survive. And an alternate source of income.
W.L. Liberman is currently the author of seven novels, two graphic novels and a children’s storybook. He is the founding editor and publisher of TEACH Magazine; www.teachmag.com , and has worked as a television producer and on-air commentator.
He holds an Honours BA from the University of Toronto in some subject or other and a Masters in Creative Writing from De Montfort University in the UK. He is married, currently lives in Toronto (although wishes to be elsewhere) and is father to three grown sons.
W.L. Liberman is currently the author of seven novels, two graphic novels and a children’s storybook. He is the founding editor and publisher of TEACH Magazine; www.teachmag.com , and has worked as a television producer and on-air commentator.
He holds an Honours BA from the University of Toronto in some subject or other and a Masters in Creative Writing from De Montfort University in the UK. He is married, currently lives in Toronto (although wishes to be elsewhere) and is father to three grown sons.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 22, 2017
Writing his father's biography while the man himself still lives, forced Bernard, or Bernie as he likes to be known, to also put himself under the microscope. His father, Ephraim Goldman, Eph, had written a book called 'The Global View', and it was a publishing phenomenon, and fame followed suit, placing Eph in the company of some of history's legends. Julian De Groot had thought there was no better man for the job than the man's own son. But his father was as much a stranger to him as to the rest of the world, perhaps even more so. This book was to be a true work, warts and all, but everyone has secrets, and they are often kept buried for a reason. Discover what secrets lie hidden in W.L. Liberman's The Global View
I loved the narrative style of The Global View, it really pulls you in from the onset. The diversity of characters, from the career woman wife and mother Sharon, Bernie's wife, to the gate crashing Egan there is such a cast you'll be hard pressed not to find someone you like. The dialogue flows naturally, and the scenes appear to unfold effortlessly, it's like reading poetry in motion, crisp and expressive. I loved the familial interactions, some of them, like the scenes with Bernie and his sons, remind me of scenes from my own life. Despite having nothing in common with the story I found it so easy to relate to, a testament to a true writing skill. One we of my favourite things was the letters written by Isaac, they filled me with intrigue as I wondered what part this stranger could have played on Bernie's mother's life, and his story was everything but as gripping and sometimes surprising events unfold around Bernie. W.L. Liberman creates a believable, realistic plot filled with intrigue and depth.
I loved the narrative style of The Global View, it really pulls you in from the onset. The diversity of characters, from the career woman wife and mother Sharon, Bernie's wife, to the gate crashing Egan there is such a cast you'll be hard pressed not to find someone you like. The dialogue flows naturally, and the scenes appear to unfold effortlessly, it's like reading poetry in motion, crisp and expressive. I loved the familial interactions, some of them, like the scenes with Bernie and his sons, remind me of scenes from my own life. Despite having nothing in common with the story I found it so easy to relate to, a testament to a true writing skill. One we of my favourite things was the letters written by Isaac, they filled me with intrigue as I wondered what part this stranger could have played on Bernie's mother's life, and his story was everything but as gripping and sometimes surprising events unfold around Bernie. W.L. Liberman creates a believable, realistic plot filled with intrigue and depth.
November 21, 2017
The Global View story is basically a family based story. It is written in the form of a memoir and explores various relationships such as the one between father and son, husband and wife, brother and sister, brother and brother brother-in-laws, etc. The book is nostalgic in tone and the basic story line comprises of the relationship between Bernard (an aspiring and struggling writer) and his world famous (though clinical) academic father who has written the renowned "The Global View" that pushed him into limelight. Bernard had never had any close relationship with his father and it was only during being assigned to write his biography that Bernard got to know the reason why.
Other than the main story, I liked the traditional spousal role reversal as displayed in the relationship of Bernard and his wife Sharon. The couple have a good and strong relationship, but, it is basically Sharon who is the bread earner of the family and Bernard who is the home maker. The third story line is that of Isaac and his adventure during WWII.
The story has many twists and turns and possess numerous surprise elements, but finally the ending is good and satisfying. The Global View is a clean family book with many lessons on love, compatibility, trust and mutual and understanding.
Other than the main story, I liked the traditional spousal role reversal as displayed in the relationship of Bernard and his wife Sharon. The couple have a good and strong relationship, but, it is basically Sharon who is the bread earner of the family and Bernard who is the home maker. The third story line is that of Isaac and his adventure during WWII.
The story has many twists and turns and possess numerous surprise elements, but finally the ending is good and satisfying. The Global View is a clean family book with many lessons on love, compatibility, trust and mutual and understanding.
November 29, 2017
“The Global View” is W. L. Liberman’s about a family that has long lasting secrets and relationships between spouses, parents and children, and siblings, showing how anything can happen with just a bit of commitment. We follow Bernard for the most part, who is trying to make it as a writer on his own wings, instead of his father, who had major success. From there, we see almost like a reflection of the family’s experiences, such as where Bernard’s wife, Sharon, is managing the house and being the provider for the family, and how this affected the dynamic of the family functioning. There are some very interesting secrets associated with the father, son dynamic that I think many individuals experience in their own life, and it is a very realistic portrayal that I think is very relatable. Overall, it is a nice, drama filled novel that will surprise you at quite a few turns, so I would highly recommend this book!
November 23, 2017
Bernie has been in his father’s shadow his whole life, until he married. He then fell into his successful and career-driven wife’s shadow. To write the biography of his famous father would not only be profitable, but also prove to everyone that he has a voice. He wants to stand out, but he is still standing under his father’s fame to be noticed. Will he have the courage to give accurate account of the facts? It could harm many relationships.
The Global View makes me wonder what dark secrets I would discover if I wrote a biography about my own father. Or would the sinister past come out about my own mother? While Bernie is digging into his father’s past, he is finding out more about his mother. He was close to his mother, where as his father was more of a stranger.
The Global View makes me wonder what dark secrets I would discover if I wrote a biography about my own father. Or would the sinister past come out about my own mother? While Bernie is digging into his father’s past, he is finding out more about his mother. He was close to his mother, where as his father was more of a stranger.
November 21, 2017
An insight into the relationship between father and son is the theme to the story. The story is about Bernard, who is asked to write his famous father’s biography. For Bernard this is his chance to prove himself, but when he dug into his father’s past, what he discovers surprises him and could change his vision and he faces now a challenge between relationship and long-secret. It’s a family story with buried secrets and relationships within the family, how they change and get affected by events. Interesting and good plot and the author successfully communicates the family message.
October 1, 2020
Slow burner
This story builds slowly, becoming more intriguing as you pass through the pages. No great drama, but a gentle portrait of the relationship between feted father and his troubled son. An enjoyable read.
This story builds slowly, becoming more intriguing as you pass through the pages. No great drama, but a gentle portrait of the relationship between feted father and his troubled son. An enjoyable read.
June 11, 2023
A family story that explores various relationships. The main story and Isaac's letters are very engaging. The section about the Italian explorer was irrelevant. The shocking action would only have been shocking if the family was rich, as they didn't have any money it didn't make any difference.
August 25, 2025
family secrets made interesting
I like books that tell a family story and have a lot of history in it. It lets you see how other groups of people live and the choices they make. It was a long way to get there and then kind of a quick let down as it ended too soon.
I like books that tell a family story and have a lot of history in it. It lets you see how other groups of people live and the choices they make. It was a long way to get there and then kind of a quick let down as it ended too soon.
January 22, 2026
Family History with an interesting twist
Several stories intertwined, supporting each other. Interesting and unexpected twists, each bringing suspense and even delight. Family drama, ultimately resolved.
Several stories intertwined, supporting each other. Interesting and unexpected twists, each bringing suspense and even delight. Family drama, ultimately resolved.
April 1, 2024
Interesting story, especially Isaac's experiences. Lots of tension between Bernie and his father.
January 13, 2026
Thought-provoking stories in an innovative book that is masterfully written and will have you reading through to the very end!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews