James Fallows

James Fallows is one of the world’s most respected journalists—an intrepid, sensitive investigator of the world, honored by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences as an elected member for his 50-year career. His latest New York Times bestseller Our Towns (co-authored with writer and linguist Deborah Fallows), offers an illuminating portrait of the cultural reinvention taking place across America. In talks, Fallows shares the stories of grassroots innovators, detailing the growth and optimism not usually showcased by the media. Our Towns is a tale of American strength, ingenuity, and progress, and Fallows is a world-class storyteller.

After 43 years writing for The Atlantic, largely as a National Correspondent, Fallows assumed the role of Europe Editor for the magazine’s first Global Bureau, located in London. For his always-perceptive, sometimes prescient writing, he has won the National Book Award, the American Book Award, and the National Magazine Award. His book China Airborne, a study of the staggering rise of airlines and airport infrastructure in China, was called “informative and lively,” by The Economist. His previous books include Postcards from Tomorrow Square, essays about the economic and political transformation occurring in China; Blind into Baghdad, about the lead-up to the War in Iraq, which is now required reading in many military programs; and Breaking the News, about the crisis facing contemporary news media.