Kai Bird is an acclaimed American author and journalist, best known for his biographies of political figures. He was born in Eugene, Oregon on September 2, 1951, and spent his childhood in various countries such as Mumbai, Jerusalem, Dhahran, Beirut, and Cairo due to his father's job as a US Foreign Service officer. Bird's unique upbringing in different cultures has significantly influenced his writing and understanding of global politics.\n \nBird received his BA from Carleton College in 1973 and a M.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University in 1975. He has had a distinguished career as a writer, earning numerous accolades such as the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Critics Circle Award for biography, the Duff Cooper Prize, a Woodrow Wilson Center Fellowship, and a Guggenheim Fellowship. He is also a Contributing Editor of The Nation magazine.
Bird is a prolific writer, having authored several books, including "The Good Spy: The Life and Death of Robert Ames," "Crossing Mandelbaum Gate: Coming of Age Between the Arabs and Israelis, 1956-1978," "American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer," "The Chairman: John J. McCloy, the Making of the American Establishment," and "The Color of Truth: McGeorge Bundy & William Bundy, Brothers in Arms." He has also co-edited "Hiroshima's Shadow: Writings on the Denial of History and the Smithsonian Controversy." Bird's works have been well-received, with "American Prometheus" being a finalist in the National Book Critics Circle Award for Autobiography in 2011.
Currently, Bird lives in Miami Beach, Florida, with his wife, Susan Goldmark, and their son, Joshua. He continues to write and contribute to various publications, shedding light on political figures and historical events that shape our world. His work is a testament to his dedication to journalism and his commitment to providing insightful and engaging narratives.