Meet the Masterminds Behind the Most Influential Books with High-Quality Author Summaries

Kent Haruf is an award-winning novelist whose Australian books focus on rural life, friendship, family and strong characters.

Israeli novelist and journalist whose work focuses on themes of war and conflict.

Keeper of wit and creativity, Oscar Wilde left behind a legacy of romantic works often considered humorous and wise.

Abraham Verghese is an acclaimed author and renowned doctor, who skillfully merges his insights in literature and medicine.

Michel de Montaigne was a French Renaissance thinker and essayist, known for his pioneering works on humanistic self-examination and philosophical rumination.

Alexander Solzhenitsyn was a Nobel Laureate Russian writer notable for works that decried the Stalinist oppression.

An African American sociologist and civil rights advocate, Du Bois was a pioneer of civil rights in the US.

Ralph Waldo Emerson was a renowned 19th century American essayist, poet, and lecturer.

Anthony Doerr is a Pulitzer-prize winning novelist with numerous best-sellers, known for emotionally charged stories about history, family, and mankind.

Roland Huntford is a respected British historian and journalist specializing in polar exploration.

Paula Hawkins is a best-selling British author of suspense and psychological thrillers such as The Girl on the Train and Into the Water.

William Finnegan is a renowned journalist and author known for his in-depth narrative nonfiction writing.

Maxine Hong Kingston is an award-winning American author known for her unique use of language and story-telling.

Jon Steel is an acclaimed author specializing in advertising and marketing strategy, with 12 books focused on the subject.

Robert Louis Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist and travel writer best known for his classic stories.

Rudyard Kipling is an internationally renowned poet, novelist and short story writer who created classic works such as "Just So Stories" and "The Jungle Book".

Edward Boches is an internationally-renowned author and columnist targeting creative professionals.

Luke Sullivan is an experienced advertising executive and author of books such as 'Hey Whipple, Squeeze This' and 'The Cluetrain Manifesto'.

Dynamic, energetic author with a flair for creating compelling stories of adventure and personal growth.

Katherine Dunn is a prolific American author of satirical fiction and non-fiction.

Robin Sloan is an award-winning author of whimsical and technological fiction tales, combining adventure and humor.

Innovative science writer and physicist Leonard Mlodinow offers inspiring, captivating insights into science, technology, and our world.

Robert Henri was a renowned American painter and teacher, who is recognized for his influence on the art world.

Norman Doidge is an internationally acclaimed author and psychoanalyst, writing about the power of the brain to heal and change itself.