Tracy Kidder

In his best-known books, Tracy Kidder has shown himself to be adept at creating works of nonfiction that, as he told Amanda Smith of Publisher’s Weekly, “do a lot of the things that novels do.” By using similar research and writing techniques for all of his works, Kidder has discovered a formula for success, yet his books are far from formulaic.

Critics have complimented Kidder’s ability to transform the ordinary and everyday into something fascinating. As informative and entertaining as those journeys may be, the focus of Kidder’s energy is on the people who inhabit his books. He revealed to Smith that one of his purposes is “to bring people to life on the page.”

Readers and reviewers agree with Phyllis Theroux, The New York Times, who proclaimed Kidder’s works “full of the author’s genuine love, delight and celebration of the human condition.”

Awards

Kidder’s many literary awards include Atlantic First Award, Atlantic Monthly, for a short story “The Death of Major Great”; Sidney Hillman Foundation Prize, 1978, for article, “Soldiers of Misfortune”; Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award, 1982, both for The Soul of a New Machine; National Book Critics Circle nomination (nonfiction), 1986, for House; Christopher Award and National Book Critics Circle Award nomination (nonfiction), 1989, Robert F. Kennedy Award and Ambassador Book Award, 1990, all for Among Schoolchildren; New England Book Award, 1994, for Old Friends.

Brief Bio

Tracy Kidder was born November 12, 1945, in New York, NY, the son of Henry Maynard, a lawyer, and Reine Tracy, a high school teacher. He married Frances T. Toland, January 2, 1971. They have two children—a boy and a girl.

Kidder earned an A.B. at Harvard University in 1967 and his M.F.A. at the University of Iowa in 1974. He has written/published since 1974, and been a contributing editor of the Atlantic Monthly since 1982.

Meet Tracy Kidder

Thursday, March 10, 2011, 7 pm, Chenery Auditorium

Meet Tracy Kidder on March 10, 7 pm, at Chenery Auditorium. Book signing will follow presentation. Books available for purchase at the event.

No ticket needed. Open seating