Daniel Bergner

Daniel Bergner is a celebrated American author and journalist who has published numerous works of non-fiction throughout the course of his career. Bergner is known for his intimate and thought-provoking books that explore the complexity of human emotion and relationships. He has authored novels, memoirs, and collections of essays, as well as reporting for The New York Times Magazine and other publications. His works have been praised for providing valuable insight into topics such as race, gender, and sexuality.

Bergner was born in 1961 in Dallas, Texas. He attended Amherst College in Massachusetts, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. After graduating, Bergner moved to New York City to pursue his dream of writing. During this period, he worked as a waiter and a cab driver, while also writing for various publications. Bergner eventually became a correspondent for The New York Times Magazine, where he wrote about topics ranging from criminal justice and politics to sexuality and gender. In 1996, he published his first book, God of the Rodeo: The Pursuit of Happiness in Texas, an exploration of masculinity and passion.

In 1998, Bergner released another book with The New Press titled In the Lands of the Interlopers: The Men, the Feathered Serpents, and the Woman of Wisdom. This work detailed his travels to the remote jungles of Mexico in search of the source of an ancient lineage of shamans. He also wrote Taylor’s Way (2001), which tells the story of a minister struggling to keep his small-town ministry alive. His collective work, What Do Women Want? (2012), explored the often-overlooked needs and desires of women – topics such as sex, sexuality, and desire.

Bergner’s latest book, The Secret Lives of Fathers (2019), is a unique exploration of the complexities of fatherhood. He weaves together stories from the lives of a diverse array of male characters in order to explore the internal experience of being a father. With his trademark compassionate storytelling, Bergner shows a nuanced portrait of fatherhood that takes into consideration the psychological depths of these characters as well as the unique circumstances of their lives. As Tiffany Jackson, an author and adjunct professor of creative writing at the University of Central Florida, said in her review, “Daniel Bergner's writing is crisp, vivid, and edgy, and the contents of The Secret Lives of Fathers offer fresh, yet broad themes of the human experience; a gift of self-awareness with all its disciplines, joys, and responsibilities.”

Bergner’s works have been praised for their thoughtful, deep exploration of both psychological and social topics. His writing has also earned him a great deal of recognition, including the National Book Critics Circle Award and the PEN America Literary Award. Bergner’s work has been featured in The New York Times Magazine, Slate, Harper’s and other publications, and he has been a guest on a number of radio shows, including On Being and Fresh Air.

Throughout his career, Bergner’s writing has been hailed for its complexity, insight, and storytelling. His works have explored everything from the complexities of race and gender to the nuances of fatherhood. For readers looking to delve into his works, it is highly recommended to start with the book, What Do Women Want?, as it provides accessible insight into the varied, often-overlooked needs and desires of women. Regardless of which work by Bergner readers choose to explore, they can rest assured knowing that each story will be filled with intimate insight and compassionate storytelling.