Mitchell

Zuckoff

Nonfiction Writer & Journalist

#1 NYT Bestseller

Travels from: Boston, MA

“Mitch is a funny, dynamic speaker, and our audience was enthusiastic about his presentation.” – lson D. Lankford, Ph.D. Vice President for Programs, Virginia Historical Society

Mitchell Zuckoff is the Redstone Professor of Narrative at Boston University. He covered 9/11 for The Boston Globe and wrote the lead news story on the day of the attacks. Known for his revealing narratives on historical events, his most recent work The Secret Gate, published in 2023, covers the incredible true story of a breathtaking rescue in the frenzied final hours of the U.S. evacuation of Afghanistan.

Zuckoff is the author of eight previous works of nonfiction, including the #1 New York Times bestseller 13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened in Benghazi, which became the basis of the Paramount Pictures movie of the same name. Fall and Rise: The Story of 9/11, another of Zuckoff’s recent books, is an indelible portrait of 9/11. It opens new avenues of understanding for everyone who thinks they know the story of 9/11. This book brings to life—and in some cases, brings back to life—the extraordinary ordinary people who experienced the worst day in modern American history.

His other works include Frozen in Time: An Epic Story of Survival and a Modern Quest for Lost Heroes of World War II, Lost in Shangri-La: A True Story of Survival, Adventure, and the Most Incredible Rescue Mission of World War II, Robert Altman: The Oral Biography, Ponzi’s Scheme: The True Story of a Financial Legend, Judgment Ridge: The True Story Behind the Dartmouth Murders, and Choosing Naia: A Family’s Journey.

As a member of the Boston Globe Spotlight Team, he was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in investigative reporting. Zuckoff’s honors include the Livingston Award for International Reporting, the Winship/PEN New England Award for Nonfiction, the Heywood Broun Memorial Award, and the Distinguished Writing Award from the American Society of Newspaper Editors. His work has appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times, and numerous other publications. He lives outside Boston with his family.

Mitchell's Featured Titles

Hiding in Plain Sight: Finding and Telling True Stories That Other Writers Overlook

The Life and Career of Director Robert Altman

Fall and Rise: The Story of 9/11

13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened in Benghazi

Frozen in Time: An Epic True Story of Survival and a Modern Quest for Lost Heroes of World War II

Lost in Shangri-La: A True Story of Survival, Adventure, and the Most Icredible Rescue Mission of World War II

Ponzi Schemes: Financial Fraud, Old and New - From the Original Ponzi Scheme in 1920 to Madoff and His Ilk

To Heal the World

The Secret Gate Book Trailer

This was one of the best author events I have ever been a part of! I was riveted from beginning to end. Mitchell’s presentation was just as informative, impactful, and engaging as his writing. The way he balances his command of history, with a genuine care and concern for his subjects hooks you right from the beginning, and his humor, authenticity and storytelling left me wishing we had a whole day with him. – North Central Library

“Mitch brings those terrifying months in New Guinea into perfect focus, while entertaining and engaging his audience. It was wonderful, and we’re a tough audience.” – Kate Dobson, Cancer Clinics of Excellence

“Mitch is a funny, dynamic speaker, and our audience was enthusiastic about his presentation. I couldn’t have asked for a better speaker for this event. He ranks near the top of my list of favorite speakers, and I’ve been doing the speaker program here for a quarter of a century!” – Nelson D. Lankford, Ph.D. Vice President for Programs, Virginia Historical Society

“Mitchell Zuckoff did a wonderful job as our CommunityREAD author. Lost in Shangri-La generated lots of great discussion in our community, drawing attention to CommunityREAD from some groups we don’t normally appeal to. Mitch related well to all of the groups he spoke with, including high school students, professional women and the general public. We’ve had lots of positive feedback from community members in attendance.” – Sarah Clevidence, Findlay-Hancock County Public Library

“Mitchell Zuckoff is an engaging speaker with thorough knowledge of his subject. He entertained and informed a high school audience, and provided an informative and appropriately humorous presentation for adults. Those who had already read Lost in Shangri-La were thrilled to gain ‘inside’ information, and those who had not yet read the book were inspired to do so.” – Deborah Grimmett, Abington Public Library

” Mitchell Zuckoff did a wonderful job as our CommunityREAD author. Lost in Shangri-La generated lots of great discussion in our community, drawing attention to CommunityREAD from some groups we don’t normally appeal to. Mitch related well to all of the groups he spoke with, including high school students, professional women and the general public. We’ve had lots of positive feedback from community members in attendance.” – Findlay-Hancock County Library

Honors, Awards & Recognition

#1 NYT Besteller
Pulitzer Prize Finalist
National Bestseller
Professor of Journalism | Boston University

Media clips

The Washington Post | Who escapes and who must stay? Stark choices amid Afghanistan evacuation

The Atlantic | “Screw the Rules” An American State Department official risked his life and career to save Afghan lives

Sydney Morning Herald | Fall and Rise tells the true stories of 9/11, the day the world changed

USA Today | 5 books not to miss: ‘The Red Daughter,’ ‘Shergill Sisters,’ ‘The Story of 9/11’

Media Kit

By clicking the link below you will be directed to a Google Docs Folder
where you can download author photos and cover images.