Jeanne Marie Laskas

Jeanne Marie Laskas is an American journalist, professor, and bestselling author known for her narrative nonfiction works that explore overlooked aspects of American life and labor. Her writing frequently focuses on people working behind the scenes in various industries, from coal miners to NFL concussion researchers. As a journalist, Laskas has written for major publications including The New York Times Magazine, GQ, Esquire, and The Wall Street Journal. Her work at GQ led to "Concussion," a story about Dr. Bennet Omalu's discovery of CTE in football players, which was later adapted into a film starring Will Smith. Her books include "Hidden America," "Concussion," and "To Obama: With Love, Joy, Anger, and Hope," which examines the system of letter-reading during the Obama presidency. She serves as Director of the Writing Program at the University of Pittsburgh, where she teaches creative writing. Laskas's narrative style combines immersive reporting with detailed character portraits, documenting the lives of people whose work often goes unnoticed in American society. Her articles and books have received numerous awards and have been anthologized in Best American Magazine Writing and Best American Science Writing.

Readers appreciate Laskas's ability to shine light on overlooked people and professions through detailed reporting and storytelling. Many reviews note her skill at making complex topics accessible while maintaining depth. What readers liked: - Deep research and time spent with subjects - Clear, engaging writing style that brings characters to life - Balance of human interest with factual information - Makes technical/scientific content understandable "She makes you care about people you've never met" - Amazon reviewer "Reads like fiction but teaches like non-fiction" - Goodreads review What readers disliked: - Some found pacing slow in certain chapters - Occasional repetition of ideas - A few felt certain topics deserved more analysis "Could have gone deeper into policy implications" - Goodreads review Ratings averages: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (Hidden America) Amazon: 4.4/5 (Concussion) 4.6/5 (To Obama) Most critical reviews still rate her books 3+ stars, citing strong research and reporting even when structure or pacing didn't resonate.

Hidden America (2012) A series of profiles examining the lives of workers in unseen but essential jobs across America, including coal miners, oil rig workers, and air traffic controllers.

Concussion (2015) The story of Dr. Bennet Omalu's discovery of CTE brain damage in football players and the NFL's response to his findings.

To Obama: With Love, Joy, Anger, and Hope (2018) An examination of the Office of Presidential Correspondence during the Obama administration, focusing on the letters citizens wrote to the president and how they were handled.

Growing Girls: The Mother of All Adventures (2006) A personal account of the author's experiences adopting her two daughters from China.

The Exact Same Moon: Fifty Acres and a Family (2003) Chronicles the author's life on a sheep farm in rural Pennsylvania with her husband and their efforts to start a family.

Fifty Acres and a Poodle: A Story of Love, Livestock, and Finding Myself on a Farm (2000) Details the author's transition from city life to managing a farm in Pennsylvania with her new husband and a standard poodle.

We Remember: Women Born at the Turn of the Century Tell the Stories of Their Lives (1999) A collection of oral histories from women born in the late 1800s, sharing their experiences through major historical events.

Susan Orlean writes narrative nonfiction that follows individuals and subcultures in American life. Her work, like Laskas', combines immersive reporting with character-driven storytelling to illuminate overlooked aspects of society.

Ted Conover embeds himself in different communities and work environments to document firsthand experiences. His approach to participatory journalism mirrors Laskas' method of getting close to her subjects to tell their stories.

Katherine Boo reports on social issues through the lives of specific individuals and families. She shares Laskas' focus on working-class Americans and her commitment to revealing the humanity behind larger cultural phenomena.

John McPhee produces detailed portraits of people and places through extensive time spent with his subjects. His work demonstrates the same dedication to thorough reporting and character development that characterizes Laskas' writing.

Adrian Nicole LeBlanc chronicles the lives of people on society's margins through long-term immersion in their communities. Her emphasis on relationship-building and trust with subjects reflects Laskas' approach to accessing and telling intimate stories.