David Nasaw

David Nasaw is an American historian, author, and two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist whose work has contributed to the field of large-scale biographical and historical writing. He specializes in the cultural, social, and business history of early twentieth-century America. Nasaw holds the title of Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr. Professor of History Emeritus at the CUNY Graduate Center and is a past president of the Society of American Historians. He earned his doctorate from Columbia University. Over his career, Nasaw has served as director of the Center for the Humanities at CUNY and as chairman of the advisory board of the Leon Levy Center for Biography at the university.

Nasaw first gained widespread attention with "The Chief: The Life of William Randolph Hearst," a biography based on newly released private and business papers. He was the first biographer permitted access to these materials by the Hearst family. "The Chief" was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award for biography and winner of the Bancroft Prize for history. He followed this with "Andrew Carnegie," a portrait of the steel magnate. The book was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year, recipient of the New York Historical Society's American History Book Prize, and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.

Nasaw's third major biography, "The Patriarch: The Remarkable Life and Turbulent Times of Joseph P. Kennedy," was written after Senator Ted Kennedy approached him to chronicle his father's life. Nasaw insisted on full access to all documents and complete freedom to write without censorship or interference. Drawing on unpublished materials from archives on three continents and interviews with Kennedy family members and associates, Nasaw presents the life story of a man involved in major events of his era. "The Patriarch" was named one of the five best nonfiction books of the year by the New York Times and was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for Biography.

Nasaw's work extends beyond biography. His book "The Last Million: Europe's Displaced Persons from World War to Cold War" was named a best book of the year by NPR, Kirkus Reviews, and History Today, and was listed by The Economist as one of the "six must-read books on the Second World War." "The Wounded Generation: Coming Home After World War II" explores the challenges and hardships veterans faced, presenting the realities encountered by veterans and the nation, and reshaping the understanding of American history. In addition to his books, Nasaw has written for publications such as Columbia Journalism Review, The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Slate, and The London Review of Books.

Nasaw has appeared in several documentaries, including an episode of "The American Experience" and two episodes of the History Channel miniseries "10 Days That Unexpectedly Changed America." He has been honored by the New York Public Library as a Library Lion. Nasaw's work illuminates the lives of industrial leaders, political families, and generations of veterans, offering insight into the forces that have shaped modern American history.