Jeff Sharlet

Jeff Sharlet is an American journalist, author, and academic known for his investigative reporting and analysis of religious movements in contemporary America. He currently serves as the Frederick Sessions Beebe '35 Professor in the Art of Writing at Dartmouth College and has established himself as a leading voice in religious journalism. His breakthrough work "The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power" (2008) exposed the influence of a secretive Christian organization in Washington D.C., later adapted into a Netflix documentary series. Additional noteworthy books include "C Street: The Fundamentalist Threat to American Democracy" and "This Brilliant Darkness: A Book of Strangers." Sharlet has received numerous prestigious accolades including the National Magazine Award for Reporting, the MOLLY National Journalism Prize, and the Military Religious Freedom Foundation's Thomas Jefferson Award. His work regularly appears in major publications such as Harper's, Rolling Stone, and The New York Times Magazine. As co-founder of the literary magazine "Killing the Buddha" and "The Revealer," Sharlet has helped create platforms for critical discourse about religion in American life. His academic work at Dartmouth College focuses on literary journalism and creative nonfiction, combining his expertise in investigative reporting with literary craftsmanship.

Readers appreciate Sharlet's investigative depth and narrative journalism style, particularly his ability to embed himself within religious and political movements. His writing reveals hidden power structures and subcultures through personal stories and detailed reporting. Fans point to his skill at connecting individual accounts to broader societal patterns. A Goodreads reviewer noted: "He makes complex religious-political movements understandable through real people's experiences." Critics say his work can meander and lose focus. Some readers find his writing style too verbose or self-referential. Several Amazon reviews mention difficulty following multiple narrative threads. Average ratings: The Family (2008) - Goodreads: 3.8/5 (6,800+ ratings) - Amazon: 4.3/5 (850+ ratings) This Brilliant Darkness (2020) - Goodreads: 4.1/5 (900+ ratings) - Amazon: 4.4/5 (150+ ratings) The Undertow (2023) - Goodreads: 4.4/5 (1,200+ ratings) - Amazon: 4.7/5 (250+ ratings)

The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power (2008) An investigation into The Fellowship, a secretive Christian organization with significant influence in American politics and international affairs.

C Street: The Fundamentalist Threat to American Democracy (2010) A follow-up examination of The Fellowship's affiliate house on C Street in Washington D.C. and its connections to political scandals.

Sweet Heaven When I Die: Faith, Faithlessness, and the Country In Between (2011) A collection of essays exploring various manifestations of religious belief and skepticism in contemporary America.

This Brilliant Darkness: A Book of Strangers (2020) A photographic and literary documentation of encounters with various individuals during periods of personal crisis and national tension.

The Undertow: Scenes from a Slow Civil War (2023) An analysis of contemporary American political and cultural divisions through personal narratives and investigative reporting.

Radiant Truths (2014) An anthology of literary journalism about religion in American life, featuring works from various writers with Sharlet's commentary.

Lawrence Wright focuses on investigative journalism around religion and power structures, particularly in works like "Going Clear" about Scientology and "The Looming Tower" about Al-Qaeda. His writing style combines deep research with narrative techniques similar to Sharlet's approach.

Leslie Jamison writes creative nonfiction that blends personal experience with cultural analysis and reporting, as seen in "The Empathy Exams" and "The Recovering". She shares Sharlet's interest in exploring human connection and social issues through a combination of memoir and journalism.

Michael Pollan investigates subcultures and hidden systems of power through immersive journalism, particularly in works like "How to Change Your Mind" and "The Omnivore's Dilemma". His work reveals underlying structures that shape American society, similar to Sharlet's explorations of religious influence.

Barbara Ehrenreich writes investigative works that examine American social systems and belief structures, including "Nickel and Dimed" and "Bright-sided". Her focus on power dynamics and cultural criticism parallels Sharlet's approach to investigating American institutions.

Jon Krakauer combines investigative reporting with narrative storytelling to examine religious extremism and power structures in works like "Under the Banner of Heaven" and "Where Men Win Glory". His examination of faith and its impact on American life mirrors Sharlet's interests in religious influence on society.