John McPhee

John McPhee is an American author and journalist who is renowned for his works on non-fiction and known for creating a pioneering style of creative nonfiction. McPhee has written over 30 books in his career, some of which have earned him both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. In addition to his literary accomplishments, McPhee has also been credited with popularizing the term “narrative nonfiction” and helping to further establish the genre as a legitimate form of writing.

McPhee was born in Princeton, New Jersey in 1931 and attended Princeton University, where he earned a degree in English in 1953. Before he began writing, McPhee spent a year serving in the US Army in the Korean War. After his time in the Army, McPhee worked as a journalist at Time magazine and The New Yorker, where he was an editor and contributor for over fifty years.

McPhee’s most notable works typically explore the lives of individual people and their stories, but he has also written extensively about cultural topics such as geology, basketball, and the character of the American West. Some of his works include The Control of Nature (1989), which explores attempts to control two natural disasters, The founders of the Ages (1991), which recounts the history of geology, and Oranges (1967), which recounts his journey through the citrus-growing regions of Florida.

McPhee is credited with popularizing the term “narrative nonfiction”, a genre he helped establish as legitimate in the public's eye. His works often consist of lengthy articles and books that propose intelligent ideas while still reporting on factual events. He has also developed a knack for mixing science, storytelling, and humor in his writing, making it a unique and fascinating genre.

McPhee's writing style has earned him much admiration and acclaim. He has received numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction in 1999, the American Academy Arts and Letters Award in 1970, and the National Book Award in Nonfiction in 1981. His works have also been featured in the best-selling book “The Best American Essays” and have been critically acclaimed.

Although he is currently retired, John McPhee remains one of the leading nonfiction authors of his time. His works, which often include anecdotes, book reviews, interviews and historical accounts, continue to influence and inspire a new generation of nonfiction writers. McPhee's works demonstrate his mastery of the narrative form and his passion for exploring the human condition through nonfiction writing. His legacy as one of the most influential nonfiction writers of our time will continue for years to come.