Russell Shorto

Russell Shorto is an acclaimed author specializing in narrative history, with eight published books to his credit. His most recent work, "Revolution Song," offers a fresh perspective on the American Revolution, earning praise from the New York Times as a "remarkable" achievement and recognition from the Chicago Tribune for its engaging historical detective work. He is also known for "The Island at the Center of the World," a national bestseller that explores the Dutch founding of New York. His forthcoming book, "Taking Manhattan," is set for release in March 2025.

Shorto's career blends scholarly rigor with accessible storytelling, focusing on pivotal moments in history. As Director of the New Amsterdam Project at the New-York Historical Society and Senior Scholar at the New Netherland Institute, he has deepened public understanding of Dutch-American historical connections. His contributions were honored in 2009 with a knighthood from the Dutch government for fostering historical awareness between the Netherlands and the United States. Previously, he served as Director of the John Adams Institute in Amsterdam, further cementing his transatlantic expertise.