Ben Sherwood

Ben Sherwood is an American media executive, journalist and author known for his leadership roles in television and publishing. He served as the President of ABC News from 2010 to 2015 and later became President of Disney-ABC Television Group. As an author, Sherwood has written several bestselling books including "The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud" and "The Survivor Club: The Secrets and Science that Could Save Your Life." His work "Charlie St. Cloud" was adapted into a major motion picture starring Zac Efron in 2010. Throughout his career in journalism, Sherwood held executive positions at major news organizations including NBC News and ABC News, where he served as executive producer of Good Morning America. He received his education from Harvard University and was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University's Magdalen College. Sherwood's influence extends beyond media and publishing into the broader entertainment industry, having overseen the operations of major television networks and content production during his tenure at Disney-ABC Television Group. His work has consistently bridged the gap between journalism, entertainment, and literature.

Readers praise Sherwood's ability to blend emotional depth with accessible writing, particularly in "The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud." Multiple reviews note his research-backed approach in "The Survivor Club," though some find the scientific details overwhelming. What readers liked: - Clear, straightforward writing style - Balance of fact and emotion in storytelling - Thorough research in non-fiction works - Character development in fiction works What readers disliked: - Predictable plot developments - Over-reliance on statistics in "Survivor Club" - Some find emotional elements manipulative - Pacing issues in middle sections Ratings across platforms: - Goodreads: "Charlie St. Cloud" 3.9/5 (47,000+ ratings) - Amazon: "The Survivor Club" 4.3/5 (200+ reviews) - "Charlie St. Cloud" averages 4.2/5 on Amazon (500+ reviews) One reader noted: "Sherwood excels at making complex subjects digestible without losing depth." Another commented: "The research is impressive but sometimes gets in the way of the narrative flow."

The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud (2004) A story about a cemetery caretaker who keeps a promise to meet his deceased younger brother every night for a game of catch, until a young woman enters his life and forces him to choose between the living and the dead.

The Man Who Ate the 747 (2000) A novel about a record keeper for The Book of Records who travels to Nebraska to verify a claim about a man eating an entire Boeing 747 airplane piece by piece.

The Survivors Club: The Secrets and Science that Could Save Your Life (2009) A non-fiction exploration of survival science, examining why some people survive extraordinary circumstances while others do not, backed by research and real-life cases.

Red Mercury (1996) A thriller centered around three American journalists who become entangled in a plot involving smuggled Russian nuclear materials.

Nicholas Sparks writes emotional stories about love and loss, often set in North Carolina coastal towns. His novels frequently explore themes of fate and redemption, similar to Sherwood's "Charlie St. Cloud."

Mitch Albom combines spiritual elements with explorations of life, death, and human connections. His narrative style in books like "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" parallels Sherwood's approach to examining life's deeper meanings.

Sebastian Junger writes non-fiction that examines survival, human resilience, and real-life drama. His investigative approach to understanding human endurance in works like "The Perfect Storm" aligns with Sherwood's "The Survivor Club."

Jon Krakauer focuses on true stories of survival and human determination in challenging circumstances. His detailed research and journalistic background mirror Sherwood's approach to non-fiction storytelling.

David Halberstam combines journalism with narrative storytelling in both historical and contemporary contexts. His work reflects Sherwood's background in news media and ability to transform real events into compelling narratives.