David Grann
Born: March 10, 1967 – New York City, New York, United States
David Grann is an American journalist and author whose narrative nonfiction explores crime, history, and adventure. A staff writer at The New Yorker, he is best known for The Lost City of Z, Killers of the Flower Moon, and The Wager, bestselling books that helped bring deeply reported literary nonfiction to broad audiences.
Biography & Author's Journey
David Grann came to authorship through journalism, but his route was unusually layered. He has said that his mother, publishing executive Phyllis Grann, sparked his earliest interest in reading and writing, while his father, oncologist Victor Grann, modeled curiosity and decency. After graduating from Connecticut College in 1989, he received a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship and conducted research in Mexico, where he began his career in journalism. He later earned master’s degrees in international relations from the Fletcher School and in creative writing from Boston University, taught writing, worked at The Hill and The New Republic, and in 2003 joined The New Yorker. A key turning point came with “The Old Man and the Gun,” the first story he published there after years of wanting to write the kind of unusual, deeply reported narratives that became his signature. ((https://www.rogerebert.com/interviews/keep-these-people-alive-david-grann-on-killers-of-the-flower-moon))
Quotes
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Lost City of Z
David Grann
A gripping tale of obsession, adventure, and mystery in the Amazon jungle, following a legendary British explorer's doomed quest.
Killers of the Flower Moon
David Grann
Uncovering the sinister conspiracy behind the Osage murders and the birth of the FBI.
The Wager
David Grann
Historical thriller of survival and betrayal
Lost City of Z
David Grann
A gripping tale of obsession, adventure, and mystery in the Amazon jungle, following a legendary British explorer's doomed quest.
Killers of the Flower Moon
David Grann
Uncovering the sinister conspiracy behind the Osage murders and the birth of the FBI.
The Wager
David Grann
Historical thriller of survival and betrayal
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Community Voices
"David Grann is what you might call a writer’s writer"
— Los Angeles Times
"With this riveting work, David Grann emerges on our national landscape as a major new talent"
— Doris Kearns Goodwin
"If Killers of the Flower Moon were a novel, one would marvel at David Grann’s skill in constructing such a taut, driving narrative"
— Kate Atkinson
"David Grann is one of the premier nonfiction storytellers of our time"
— Rolling Stone
"David Grann has a razor-keen instinct for suspense"
— Louise Erdrich
"David Grann has produced this riveting book…with the artistry of a superb novelist"
— Toronto Star
"David Grann is a terrific journalist, and this is maybe the best thing he’s ever written"
— Jon Krakauer
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
