T. J. Stiles

T.J. Stiles is an award-winning author and historian, best known for his biographies on American icons such as Jesse James, Cornelius Vanderbilt, and Theodore Roosevelt. Stiles has written several books which explore the lives of these people and the influences that shaped the course of American history.

Born in California in 1960, Stiles studied at the University of California, Berkeley, before graduating with degrees in English and Political Science. He then went on to become a fulltime writer and historian. Stiles is a recipient of numerous awards, including a Pulitzer Prize for his biography of Jesse James, The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt, and Custer’s Trials: A Life on the Frontier of a New America.

Stiles' writing gives readers an opportunity to explore not just the lives of famous Americans, but also the societal changes that were occurring during their lifetime. For example, The First Tycoon looks at how the industrial revolution shaped the economic landscape of the United States, while Custer’s Trials examines how the Indian Wars impacted the Native American populations in the West. Stiles also captivates readers with his vivid descriptions of his subjects and stories, making his writing come alive.

Drawing from his extensive research of official documents, newspapers, journals, and other primary sources, Stiles reconstructs the lives of his subjects thoughtfully and authentically. This makes his books a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the United States, as well as Central and South America. Recently, he has been diving into an additional area of exploration within his writings: the concept of biopolitics, or the study of how power is constructed and exercised through life processes and population control.

In addition to writing, Stiles has also taught at several universities, including Brown, Princeton, Yale, and the University of Southern California. He has also been involved in working with various historical societies, such as the American Historical Association, where he serves as past president.

T.J. Stiles is an extraordinary storyteller whose works bring to life the struggles and triumphs of some of the most influential figures in the history of the United States. His meticulous research and vivid writing combine to create novels and biographies that are informative as well as entertaining, making him one of the greatest living American historians.