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

Renowned evolutionary biologist and prolific author of popular academic non-fiction books on natural history, paleontology and evolutionary biology.

Claudia Rankine is an acclaimed poet and acclaimed author of five collections of poetry and four plays.

Robert Heinlein is an influential sci-fi author famous for works such as "Stranger in a Strange Land" and "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress."

Multi-talented James McBride is an award-winning author, musician, and screenwriter.

Karla Cornejo Villavicencio is a Brooklyn-based writer and professor, acclaimed for her fearless storytelling about immigrant experience.

Kawai Strong Washburn is an award-winning author who writes about environmental justice, Hawaiian identity, and human connection.

Phil Klay is an acclaimed American writer, best known for his award-winning short story collection "Redeployment".

Bill Buford is an American author, editor, and journalist known for cultural interpretations.

Becky Cooper is an acclaimed author and storyteller. Her work examines captivating themes of identity, memory and legacy.

James Nestor is a science and health journalist who explores the links between physiology, our environment, and the hard science of breath.

Colum McCann is an award-winning Irish author, renowned for stories of redemption, reconciliation and connectedness.

Award-winning sportswriter known for his captivating, in-depth stories exploring the complexities of culture and identity.

Larry Tye is a best-selling author who writes compelling stories about activists, politicians, and trailblazers.

Emma Straub is a New York Times bestselling author known for her insightful and witty novels about family and friendship.

Elizabeth Wetmore is an American author who writes about the complexities of family and relationships set in the South.

Magda Szabo was a Hungarian novelist and playwright who won numerous awards including the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Author Lucia Berlin crafted moving short stories based on her own experiences of working-class life in America.

Mieko Kawakami is a Japanese author renowned for her literary fiction exploring the female experience.

Brittany K. Barnett is a criminal justice reform advocate, lawyer and author, fighting for transformation of the criminal justice system.

Award-winning author of contemporary fiction, Amanda Eyre Ward has created stories that captivate readers.

Eve Rodsky is a public interest lawyer, conflict resolution expert, and best-selling author known for her revolutionary approach to relationship negotiation.

Mike Davis is an award-winning author who writes compelling works of fiction, history and socio-political issues.

Eileen McNamara is an award-winning journalist, author, and professor dedicated to telling powerful stories about real people.

Award-winning author known for emotionally powerful stories that explore the complexities of relationships.