A. Scott Berg

A. Scott Berg is an American author and lecturer best known for his work as a biographer and his extensive writing about the lives of famous entertainers, directors and producers of the 20th century. He has authored many books and essays that have won him prestigious awards and wide acclaim from literary figures and the general public.

Born in 1950, and raised in San Diego California, Berg attended Stanford University where he began his writing career and graduated with a history degree in 1971. An old professor introduced Berg to a routine of writing every day and this discipline has served him well throughout his writing career. After college he travelled to Italy and wrote freelance articles for newspapers and magazines. Upon his return to the United States, Berg obtained a master’s degree at the University of California, Los Angeles in 1974, which led to his career as a biographer.

Berg is best known for his biographies of famous Hollywood icons, ranging from movie producer Jack Warner to director Robert Wise, actor Humphrey Bogart, and screenwriter Charles MacArthur. He has also authored works on other influential figures from the 20th century including president Woodrow Wilson, industrialist Charles M. Schwab, aviator Charles Linedecker and author/diplomat Clare Boothe Luce. In total, he has written books on the lives of 16 people, including two young adult books.

Berg’s most famous book is his 1974 biography, Max Perkins: Editor of Genius, which recounts the personal relationships, professional accomplishments and life of the famous book editor at Charles Scribner’s Sons. It earned him critical acclaim in the literary field, including a Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award. The book has been credited with helping to illuminate the personal lives of those in the publishing industry, emphasizing the importance of people in the editorial process.

Berg is also the author of the best-selling works, Lindbergh and Kate Remembered, as well as movie-related books such as The Making of Casablanca and Warner Brothers: The Making Of An American Movie Studio. Additionally, he has penned hundreds of articles, book reviews and museum catalog essays, ranging from The Los Angeles Times, The Nation and Newsday to The Atlantic, Esquire and Vogue.

Berg’s books often focus on the relationships between characters and their environments, providing detailed accounts of how their lives affect those around them. He has the unique ability to create incredible narratives out of the most mundane of tales. His attention to historical detail, as well as his masterful storytelling, have made him one of the most acclaimed biographers of our times.

A. Scott Berg has received numerous awards for his work, including being made a Fellow of the Society of American Historians and being named an Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters. He has also earned a Guggenheim Fellowship, a National Book Award, a Golden Plate Award for achievements in the humanities and the prestigious Pulitzer Prize.

Berg’s books are a valuable resource for readers interested in learning more about some of the most iconic figures of the 20th century. They offer detailed descriptions of major events and relationships in order to create a thorough understanding of the lives of these important individuals. That, along with Berg’s skilled ability as a storyteller, makes his books essential reading for anyone looking to gain greater insight into iconic people of our time.