James Kaplan

James Kaplan is an American writer, known for both his non-fiction and fiction works. Born in Philadelphia and raised in the suburbs, Kaplan attended Haverford College and then went on to study at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. He found success early, as his first published work, a collection of short stories, was named a New York Times Notable Book and also received an American Library Association Notable Book award.

Kaplan is the author of two acclaimed biographies. The first, a portrait of Frank Sinatra entitled “Frank: The Voice,” was a chart-topper. It won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Biography and was named one of the year’s top books by Newsweek and Publishers Weekly. His second biography, “Bobby Kennedy: The Making of a Liberal Icon,” was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize and was named one of the year’s top books by the New York Times and the Washington Post.

Among Kaplan’s non-fiction works are “The Revolutionary Age of Andrew Carnegie,” “The Accidental Pundit: How Silence Led Me to Speak Up, Stand Out, and Write the Bestseller,” “The Best American Sports Writing of the 20th Century” (co-edited with Daniel Okrent) and “The Most Powerful 4 Letters in Golf: The Anatomy of a Drive.” He also wrote “No Direction Home: Bob Dylan,” a best-selling biography of the iconic singer-songwriter.

In addition to his non-fiction works, Kaplan has written several novels, including “Right Turn: A Novel of Politics and Power” (2012) and “Falling Into Place: A Novel of the Arms Race” (2004). He was a fellow at the Arthur F. Burns Fellowship at the German Marshall Fund and is a frequent contributor to a number of publications, including The New Yorker, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.

Kaplan is a highly sought-after speaker, having been a keynote speaker at the annual meeting of the World Bank, the New York City Booksellers Association and the Oxford Literary Festival. He also serves on President Obama’s Arts Policy Committee, which advises the White House on cultural policy.

Kaplan’s writing is notable for its eloquence and intelligence, as well as its incisive take on contemporary issues. He is adept at tackling complex topics and dissecting them for readers in an accessible and engaging way. He takes on big-picture ideas with an engaging style that’s both entertaining and thought-provoking. His writing is often personal and passionate and always offers valuable insight on politics, culture and more.

With an impressive body of work spanning several genres, James Kaplan can certainly be called one of the most respected writers of our time. His works of non-fiction and fiction are both critically acclaimed and popular. While his writing has won many awards, his influence is far greater than the accolades he has received. With his thought-provoking stories and vivid characters, James Kaplan has established himself as a novelist and biographer of true distinction.