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Joseph Lewis Heil was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He received his bachelor of arts degree in the Great Books Program (now known as The Program of Liberal Studies) from the University of Notre Dame.
Inspired by family stories his parents and grandparents told, his love of history and literature, his observations of trends in American society, politics and culture, he began writing his first novel, 'The War Less Civil,' in the late 1990s. The Faulkner-Wisdom Novel Competition named it a finalist in 2011. Kirkus Reviews said of 'The War Less Civil,' "...a powerful, moving tale reminiscent of John Steinbeck's 'East Of Eden' in its scope and artistic aspiration."
Mr. Heil's second novel, 'Judas In Jerusalem,' was published in September, 2018. Kirkus Reviews described it as "A creative historical dramatization...."
'The Universal Heart & other Essays, Stories, Vignettes and Poems,' was published in July, 2024. It reflects a lifetime of experiences, observations, and opinions shaped by Heil's utmost respect for his fellow human beings.
Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite
The Universal Heart and Other Essays, Stories, Vignettes and Poems by Joseph Lewis Heil presents a vivid mosaic of observations, memories, and philosophical meditations spanning over five decades. The collection offers a kaleidoscopic view of the human experience, filtered through the lens of an author who has long examined the American soul with empathy, intellect, and poetic sensitivity. Heil’s range is expansive, both thematically and emotionally. From astrophysics to hummingbirds, immigration to music, he draws connections between the cosmic and the intimate. Each piece, whether essay, story, or poem, reflects a curiosity that never wanes and a literary and engaging voice.
Joseph Lewis Heil’s prose is lyrical without becoming ornate, and his poetic contributions resonate with the same clarity that marks his essays and stories. Whether describing a hummingbird’s flight or the quiet revelations of marriage, his writing maintains an unforced rhythm that captures fleeting truths with care. Another highlight is how Heil weaves his journey into broader cultural and societal commentary. He explores war, peace, identity, and transformation without being didactic, often grounding these themes in small, vivid moments. His earlier novels, Judas in Jerusalem and The War Less Civil, are echoed here not in plot, but in tone—thoughtful, probing, and concerned with moral complexity. In the final poem, “We Sail on a Servant of the Sun,” Heil leaves the reader with a lasting image of perseverance and dignity, a fitting close to a volume that honors the depth of ordinary lives. The Universal Heart is a literary companion for those who seek meaning in the quiet places and the open questions.
