Evan Osnos

The acclaimed journalist Evan Osnos is best known for his coverage of China and U.S. diplomacy in The New Yorker. He's been a staff writer for the venerable magazine for over thirteen years, joining their ranks in 2008. During his time with The New Yorker, he's reported on a variety of topics, ranging from the social impact of technology to espionage. But he's perhaps most famous for his series of books on China, which tackle the complex issues facing the country and its place in the world.

Evan Osnos was born in Glencoe, Illinois, and grew up outside of Chicago. He received his undergraduate education at Harvard University and his Master's degree in journalism from Columbia University. After graduating, he worked in Singapore as a correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, covering Southeast Asia. Later he was posted by The Journal to its bureau in Beijing, where he reported on the changing face of the Chinese economy in the new millennium.

In 2008, Evan Osnos went to work for The New Yorker as a staff writer. Since then, he's become one of the magazine's foremost authorities on China, writing extensively for both their print and online editions. He's also written extensively about technology's impact on society, and about U.S. foreign policy.

His greatest contribution to The New Yorker has been his series of books on the history of China. His first book, Age of Ambition: Chasing Fortune, Truth, and Faith in the New China, earned him a Pulitzer Prize nomination. In it, he examines a number of issues at the heart of Chinese society, including the rise of the country's middle class, the breakneck speed of economic growth, and the tensions between modernity and traditional values.

His second book, The Living Shore: In Search of Lost Rivers, Forgotten Coastlines, and Our Human Future, shares a similarly ambitious scope. Across its pages, Osnos chronicles the often heartbreaking history of the development of Chinese coastlines, and the lives of those affected by the changes. Osnos also delves into the engineering challenges posed by the region's expanding population, rising sea levels, and limited resources.

Most recently, Evan Osnos has taken on a far different sort of topic. In his 2020 book, Dissonance: The Clash of Ideas in Modern American Politics, he dives deep into the ideological divisions that have come to define modern American politics. He examines the central arguments made by each side, before ultimately offering a message of hope for bridging the divide.

Evan Osnos' writing over the years has made him one of the most respected observers of the Chinese landscape. His books paint vivid portraits of modern life in the world's most populous country, while his magazine reporting focuses on the geopolitical implications of China's rise. His writing is always consistent in its themes—humanity, respect, and understanding are never far away.

In a time of increasing tensions between the U.S. and China, Evan Osnos shines a light on the country and the people who call it home. His books offer essential reading for those interested in Chinese history and culture, while providing insight into the complex challenges the nation faces in the twenty-first century. Osnos is an important voice, and one that should be heard.