2027 NONFICTION AUTHOR SERIES

Monday, January 18, 2027

Why We Love Football, an instant best-seller, recounts 100 iconic moments in college and professional football over the course of many decades.  The stories are entertaining, thrilling, enlightening, heartbreaking, hilarious, and always fascinating.  From hidden gems to famous incidents, the book is, at bottom, about the people in the sport and will appeal to the most ardent fan as well as the casual spectator.  The Washington Post said the book was “entertaining and informative.”  The Associated Press agreed, saying that Why We Love Football is “[a] thoroughly enjoyable look back at the players and plays that have come to define America’s most popular sport.”

Joe Posnanski has been identified by the Wall Street Journal as “contemporary sports writing’s biggest star.”  He is the author of nine books, including New York Times best-sellers Why We Love Baseball and The Baseball 100.  His most recent book is Big Fan: Two Friends, 82,490 miles, and the Wild, Wonderful Sports We Love. He has been named National Sportswriter of the Year by five different organizations and is the winner of two Sports Emmys for his work on the Olympics for NBC.  He writes at JoePosnanski.com and currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his family.

Monday, February 8, 2027

The Wide Wide Sea, a New York Times best-seller, probes the mystery of Captain James Cook’s death on his last exploratory voyage for England.  On July 12, 1776, Cook, already lionized as the greatest explorer in British history, set off on the HMS Resolution for a trip that would take him to the far reaches of the Pacific.  Two-and-a-half years later, Cook was killed by the native population on the island of Hawaii.  Cook’s unexpected murder was all the more baffling because, among European explorers, he was known as the one who had the most respect for indigenous peoples and cultures.  The Associated Press said the book was “riveting,” and the Los Angeles Times hailed The Wide Wide Sea as a book “that will enthrall Cook’s admirers, inform his critics, and entertain everyone in between.”

Hampton Sides is the author of five other New York Times best-sellers, including Blood and Thunder and Ghost Soldiers.

Photo Credit: Kitty Leaken

Thursday, March 4, 2027

Family of Spies, a New York Times best-seller, is the author’s memoir about a family secret:  Her father’s stepsister – Ruth – was half Jewish and had an affair with Joseph Goebbels, Hitler’s propaganda minister, in the mid-1930’s.  When Goebbels learned of Ruth’s background, he decided to send Ruth and her parents (the author’s grandparents) to Hawaii rather than a concentration camp.  Their mission:  collect information on the American fleet in Pearl Harbor that could be passed on to the Nazis as well as the Japanese military.  The New York Times called the book – the product of more than 30 years of research – as “[a]n amazing and gripping tale…”  Publishers Weekly agreed, saying the book is “a propulsive and disturbing tale.”  And the Washington Post called Family of Spies  “a ready-made page-turner for beach readers.”

Christine Kuehn had a long career in journalism, public relations, and nonprofit organizations.  Family of Spies is her first book.

Monday, March 15, 2027

Lorne is the New York Times best-selling biography of Lorne Michaels, the man who created and has spearheaded “Saturday Night Live” for more than 50 years.  He has been praised as a creative genius, a shrewd businessman, and a witty conversationalist – and, with more than 100 Emmys, someone whose accomplishments have been applauded by the entertainment industry.  And now he comes to life in Susan Morrison’s penetrating biography.  The New York Times hailed the book as “monumental” and a “tribute to Morrison’s journalistic chops.”  Publishers Weekly exclaimed that the book is “an engrossing look at the man behind the curtain.”  And BookReporter said the biography is “enlightening and entertaining.”

Susan Morrison has been the Articles Editor of The New Yorker for the past 30 years.  She was formerly the editor-in-chief of the New York Observer and an original editor of SPY magazine.

Photo Credit: Taylor Jewell