Turbulent Souls

Stephen J. Dubner reconstructs his family's religious history and his own journey of faith in this memoir. He traces his parents' conversion from Judaism to Catholicism before his birth and examines how their decision shaped his upbringing. The narrative moves between Dubner's Catholic childhood in rural New York state and his investigation into his family's Jewish roots. He documents his quest to understand both faiths while searching through generations of family history and religious tradition. Through immersive research and interviews with family members, Dubner pieces together the complex threads of religious identity, family obligation, and personal conviction. His dual heritage creates questions about belonging and belief that drive his exploration. The memoir examines universal themes of faith, identity, and the pull between tradition and individual choice. It considers how religious beliefs transfer through generations and what happens when those chains of transmission are broken.

Readers describe Turbulent Souls as an honest, personal account of religious identity and family relationships. Many connect with Dubner's storytelling style and his portrayal of exploring faith while maintaining respect for his parents. Readers appreciated: - The balanced handling of both Judaism and Catholicism - Clear explanations of religious practices and traditions - The author's avoidance of judgment toward either faith - Focus on family dynamics rather than theology Common criticisms: - Some sections move slowly - Limited depth on certain family members - Occasional repetition of ideas Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (80+ ratings) One reader noted: "Dubner tells his story without anger or resentment, which makes it more powerful." Another commented: "The book could have been shorter without losing its impact." The book was later retitled "Choosing My Religion" for paperback release, which some readers found confusing when seeking copies.

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🔹 Stephen J. Dubner wrote "Turbulent Souls" (later retitled "Choosing My Religion") before achieving widespread fame as the co-author of "Freakonomics" 🔹 The memoir details Dubner's discovery that his parents were Jewish converts to Catholicism who had kept their past hidden from their eight children 🔹 Florence Greenglass (Dubner's mother) was the only member of her Jewish family to convert to Catholicism, causing a painful rift that lasted decades 🔹 Despite being raised as a devout Catholic and even considering priesthood, Dubner ultimately chose to embrace his Jewish heritage and converted to Judaism in his late 20s 🔹 The book's exploration of religious identity resonated particularly with readers during the 1990s, when there was growing interest in examining interfaith families and spiritual journeys