Alumni Authors Content

Ph.D. Alum Kathleen DuVal Wins Pulitzer Prize

Jocelyn C Anderson — May 21, 2025 - 9:40am

Kathleen DuVal, Ph.D. ’01, won the 2025 Pulitzer Prize in History for her book Native Nations: A Millennium in North America (Random House, 2024). Prize winners were announced on May 5.

The announcement comes in addition to other prestigious awards DuVal has already received for the book, including the Bancroft Prize, the Cundill History Prize and the Mark Lynton History Prize.

DuVal said the positive reception to the book was apparent immediately.

A Pandemic Project Comes to Light

Jocelyn C Anderson — May 19, 2025 - 9:00am

Jessica Guerrieri ’07 comes from a family of English majors, so that’s what clicked for her at 51�Թϱ��. Her love of reading, journaling and writing led to her debut novel, Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (Harper Muse, 2025), out this month.

The book examines the link between motherhood and alcoholism through protagonist Leah, who is at a crossroads in her life. It’s her first in a two-book deal with the publisher.

An Adventurous Spirit

Jocelyn C Anderson — February 18, 2025 - 12:55pm

When Liese Greensfelder ’77, M.S. ’83, visits Norway again this summer, the trip will further deepen a bond with the country that goes back decades. When she was 20, Greensfelder temporarily became the sole farmer on a remote Norwegian farm, an experience she describes in a new book Accidental Shephard: How a California Girl Rescued an Ancient Mountain Farm in Norway (University of Minnesota, 2025).

Alumni Books of 2024

Jocelyn C Anderson — November 18, 2024 - 10:40am

From sports and history to mystery and comics, this year featured books for everyone. Our annual roundup features even more Aggie authors than ever before and could keep readers busy for the better part of next year.

Check out 51�Թϱ�� Magazine’s full list for 2024.

FICTION

David Starkey ’84 imagines a scenario in which a jet carrying members of a famous rock band plunges into the backyard of a retired insurance salesman who is mourning his wife’s death from COVID in Poor Ghost (Keylight Books, 2024)

A Matter of Opinion

Jocelyn C Anderson — November 18, 2024 - 10:30am

When Oxford University Press suggested Matthew Kennedy, M.A. ’92, write a book for its Opinionated Guide series, he said he knew exactly what film star to cover: Elizabeth Taylor.

“I chose Elizabeth Taylor because I've been fascinated by her for so long that it was it was a joy to write and research,” said Kennedy, a film historian and former anthropology instructor.

Alum Tells Baseball Player’s Uplifting Story

Jocelyn C Anderson — September 18, 2024 - 10:31am

Aggies came together earlier this summer to help launch a new book by Aaron Fischman ’11.

Fischman’s book, A Baseball Gaijin: Chasing a Dream to Japan and Back (Sports Publishing, 2024), traces Tony Barnette’s six-year path playing baseball in Japan before heading to the majors at 32. So it made sense to hold his first signing at a single-A San Jose Giants game in June at the invitation of Ben Taylor ’11, who is the general manager. And the first person in line for a book? Another Aggie.

The Next Generation

Jocelyn C Anderson — August 19, 2024 - 10:00am

For Hannah Holzer ’20, becoming a children’s book author started with 51�Թϱ�� connections.

In December, her first book, Time for Kids: Kid Reporter Field Guide (Penguin Young Readers, 2024) comes out as part of Penguin’s partnership with Time for Kids to nurture young learners. One of her former classmates brought the idea to her.

Uncovering Disney Magic

Jocelyn C Anderson — May 21, 2024 - 2:42am

Don Peri ’72 delves into Disney history in a new book, including a spotlight on a former Aggie.

10 New Alumni Books

Jocelyn C Anderson — May 21, 2024 - 2:41am

New or forthcoming titles by Aggies for your summer reading list.

Novels and Noir

Jocelyn C Anderson — April 11, 2024 - 7:30am

Mark Wisniewski, M.A. ’91, enters the world of undercover murder investigations for his latest book.