Making of a Godol: A Study of Episodes in the Lives of Great Torah Personalities is a two-volume book written and published in 2002, with an improved edition published in 2005, by Rabbi Nathan Kamenetsky (1930-2019),[1] son of Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky,[2] about the life of his father[3] and of various other Jewish sages of the 19th and 20th centuries, who are revered by Orthodox (especially Haredi) Jews.

The book, which resulted from about 15 years of extensive research,[4] includes much historical background based on over 800 sources,[5] and is very detailed in its stories and biographies.

The book also claims that as a young man studying in yeshiva, Kotler was a "sore loser" at chess and he would always demand from his opponent to be able to take back moves once he realized that they were a mistake.

"[9] Although the ban was still not official, it was very difficult to subdue the message of Eliashiv's letter, countersigned by nine other sages, which now lined the walls of the religious neighborhoods of Jerusalem.

[15] Kamenetsky stated that, in writing the book, he "naively believed that everyone would appreciate getting a true, human glimpse [of] our spiritual leaders," and that this honest portrayal "is what bothered the zealots.

He quoted Sternbuch as exclaiming within earshot of at least 50 people one Shabbos morning after services: "Reb Noson,[24] you keep [on] writing - no one can do as good a job as you!