Tom Reiss

Tom Reiss is a renowned author of non-fiction works that explore stories of overlooked individuals and societies, seeking out unheard voices and untapped resources. His books are a fascinating blend of adventure, human connection, and detective work, uncovering a depth of history for the reader.

Reiss was born on June 14, 1970 in Boston, Massachusetts. He began writing at a young age and went on to study at Harvard University, where he earned both a B.A. in English and M.A in American History, focusing on 19th century American history. After graduating in 1992, he began writing freelance and eventually worked as a foreign correspondent in Germany, Russia, and the Middle East while covering historical, political, and cultural events.

In 2003, Reiss published his first widely successful book, The Orientalist: Solving the Mystery of a Strange and Dangerous Life, which received rave reviews and was nominated for the National Book Award. This work was the biography of a Polish-Lithuanian Jewish writer who lived a mysterious and dangerous life in the Islamic world, visiting places such as the Pakistan-Afghan border, Istanbul, and Baghdad. The book offers a compelling mix of biography, adventure, and investigative research as Reiss pieces together the available evidence of Lev Nussimbaum, who is known as Essad Bey.

Reiss has gone on to produce a range of acclaimed works, including Jacob's Folly, a historical novel, and a collection of essays about music and culture entitled How Music Dances. He most recently released The Castle of Paphos: A Novel on a Forgotten Epic, which is a blend of fiction and biography, telling the story of a relatively unknown figure from the Middle Ages. Reiss also contributes to a range of print and online outlets such as The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and The Wall Street Journal.

In addition to teaching and lecturing widely on his works and topics, Reiss is a member of the Society of American Historians, where he has delivered a lecture on Poland in World War II. He has also been featured on television and radio, including Evan Solomon's Hot Type, CNN International, and WNET.

Reiss's works are praised for their blend of adventure and detective work, which draws the reader into a well-crafted world. Reiss brings diverse places and people to life, weaving together history, material culture, memoirs, and archaeology. He is highly regarded for his passion for uncovering hidden stories, offering a new and illuminating perspective on history, as well as humanity's capacity for innovation and cultural exchange. For this reason, readers will continue to want to explore Tom Reiss's thought-provoking works.