About Michael Stuart Baskin
Michael Stuart Baskin
Michael Stuart Baskin (b. 1947) began his journey with formal studies in musicology and composition at the University of Illinois. However, his life’s path—shaped by personal experiences, spiritual reflection, and disciplined self-education—opened doors to a much wider range of pursuits. As an author, his varied interests have led him to explore multiple genres. His body of work includes a best-selling autobiographical memoir recounting his service in Vietnam, an epic fantasy graphic novel, a thorough Christian apologetic, an introductory guide to classical music appreciation, and, most recently, a critical examination of traditional Christian views on the nature of God.
These days, I’m still writing—still learning, still reflecting. My hope is that my books invite you not just to read, but to think, to feel, and maybe to see the world a little differently. If my work sparks a moment of recognition, or gives you courage to ask your own questions, then I’ve done what I set out to do.
Thanks for being here.
—Michael
Michael Stuart Baskin
Hi, I’m Michael.
I was born in 1947 and began my journey studying musicology and composition at the University of Illinois. I thought my life would be shaped by music—but life had other plans. Like many of my generation, I was swept into the Vietnam War, an experience that changed me forever. What followed wasn’t just a return to civilian life, but a long road of searching—through faith, study, creativity, and a lot of quiet reflection.
Over the years, I’ve worn many hats: veteran, writer, teacher (mostly informally), spiritual seeker, and lifelong student. I never stopped learning, never stopped asking questions—especially about the things we’re often told not to question.
Writing became my way of working through it all. My first book was a memoir about my time in Vietnam—not a glorified war story, but a real one. Honest. Messy. Human. To my surprise, it became a best-seller. Since then, I’ve followed where my curiosity leads: into epic fantasy, deep theological exploration, music appreciation, and even a critical look at how we understand God.
If there’s a thread connecting all my work, it’s this: I’m always searching for meaning. Whether I’m writing about faith, war, beauty, or the unknown, I try to speak to the part of us that longs to understand life a little better—or at least to feel less alone in the questions we carry.