Kai Bird

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Pulitzer Prize-Winning Biographer, Historian, and Journalist
Executive Director & Distinguished Lecturer, Leon Levy Center for Biography - CUNY Graduate Center
New York Times Bestselling Author of 'The Good Spy', 'The Outlier', and More
Co-Author of 'American Prometheus' - Inspiration for Christopher Nolan's 'Oppenheimer'

Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer, historian, and journalist Kai Bird is the co-author of American Prometheus, the exhilarating biography that inspired Christopher Nolan’s Oscar-sweeping Oppenheimer. Released in 2005, American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer received enormous acclaim – the New York Times called it “exhaustive and exhilarating” and The Boston Globe called it “an achievement not likely to be surpassed or equaled.” Bird and his work have received tremendous accolades – in addition to the Pulitzer, he won the National Books Critics Circle Award, the Duff Cooper Prize for History, and is an elected member of the prestigious Society of American Historians. Bird is both a relentless chronicler of history and a consummate storyteller – elevating lessons from the past to undeniable relevance for audiences of today.

Bird is the New York Times bestselling author of The Good Spy: The Life and Death of Robert Ames, and biographies of Jimmy Carter, John J. McCloy, McGeorge Bundy, and William Bundy. He chronicled his childhood in the Middle East in his memoir, Crossing Mandelbaum Gate: Coming of Age Between the Arabs and Israelis. He is the Executive Director and Distinguished Lecturer of the Leon Levy Center for Biography at the CUNY Graduate Center in New York City. Bird’s work includes critical writings on the Vietnam War, Hiroshima, nuclear weapons, the Cold War, the Arab-Israeli conflict, and the CIA. His current project is a biography of Roy Cohn, to be published by Scribner.

Past Hosts Include:

Sandra Day-O'Connor Institute for American Democracy
Santa Fe International Literary Festival
Jaipur Literature Festival

Santa Fe International Literary Festival
Chautauqua Institution
Lazard

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Kai Bird was absolutely riveting. Everyone loved the discussion, and I have heard nothing but raves. Thank you so much for your assistance in making his appearance possible. - Sandra Day-O'Connor Institute for American Democracy

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More rave reviews

"Kai was absolutely marvelous. He was brilliant in his conversation... the sold-out crowd could not have been more thrilled or engaged. He took in several other sessions and dinners as well and was wonderful company."

-Santa Fe International Literary Festival

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Kai Bird on Jimmy Carter, with Sam Roberts | Leon Levy Center for Biography - Get Sharable Link

Kai Bird on Jimmy Carter, with Sam Roberts | Leon Levy Center for Biography

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Kai Bird Interviews Robert Caro | Leon Levy Center for Biography

"American Prometheus" with Kai Bird and Joseph Kanon | Museum of Jewish Heritage

Oppenheimer, Technology, and Humanity with Kai Bird & David Nirenberg | Institute for Advanced Stud

Author Behind Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” on the Scientist’s Legacy | Amanpour and Company

Talks & Conversations with Kai Bird

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From Book to Oscar: Bird’s Storytelling Journey

Join Oscar-winning storyteller KAI BIRD as he unravels the art of storytelling, exploring the magic behind his award-winning narratives. From penning history to gripping narratives on the big screen, Bird shares insights on weaving tales that resonate with the human experience and leave a lasting impact.

Author Talk: 'American Promethius,' Oppenheimer's Story

In this exhilarating talk, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian KAI BIRD delves into the decades-long process that led to American Prometheus – the definitive Oppenheimer biography that inspired Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster, Oscar-sweeping film Oppenheimer. Bird shares the riveting history of Oppenheimer, the award-winning chronicle of his life and work, and the charismatic and collaborative leadership lessons that speak to audiences today.

Information on book buys and signings available upon request.

A Biographer’s Journey: The Art of Decision-Making

In this thought-provoking talk, Pulitzer Prize winner KAI BIRD shares how the art – and craft – of biography informs decision-making. Discover the profound impact of biographical storytelling on our understanding of the world and how it shapes our shared human experience.

Leadership Lessons from History

Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer KAI BIRD has profiled some of history’s most compelling and iconoclastic leaders: John J. McCloy, Jimmy Carter, McGeorge Bundy, J. Robert Oppenheimer, and more. In this highly customizable talk, master historian Kai Bird offers an unmatched analysis of leadership lessons from history:

Possible topics include:

John McCloy – a powerful Wall Street lawyer and liberal Republican who worked for Democrats like Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and Lyndon Johnson
Presidential Leadership: Reagan v. Carter
Robert Ames and his Battles with CIA Bureaucracy
The American Establishment and the Culture Wars of the 1960s & 70s