Katie Hafner

Katie Hafner is an American journalist and author known for her work covering technology, healthcare, and social issues. She spent over two decades as a technology reporter for The New York Times and has written for numerous other publications including Newsweek and BusinessWeek. Her books include "Where Wizards Stay Up Late: The Origins of the Internet" (co-authored with Matthew Lyon), which documents the history of ARPANET and the birth of the internet. She also wrote "A Romance on Three Legs: Glenn Gould's Obsessive Quest for the Perfect Piano" and "Mother Daughter Me," a memoir about three generations of women living under one roof. Hafner's 2022 novel "The Boys" marked her debut in fiction writing, drawing from her experience covering healthcare to tell the story of a woman who adopts elderly men during the AIDS crisis. Her work consistently explores the intersection of technology, human relationships, and social change. Her journalism and books have earned recognition for their thorough research and accessible approach to complex subjects. Hafner continues to contribute to various publications and serves as host and executive producer of the healthcare podcast "Lost Women of Science."

Readers praise Hafner's clear explanations of technical concepts and her ability to weave human stories into factual reporting. Her book "Where Wizards Stay Up Late" receives positive feedback for making internet history accessible and engaging. Readers appreciate: - Deep research and attention to detail - Personal narratives that illuminate larger issues - Clear writing style that breaks down complex topics - Balance of technical information with human interest Common criticisms: - Some find "Mother Daughter Me" too personal and self-focused - Technical sections in "Where Wizards" can be dense for casual readers - "The Boys" readers note pacing issues in the middle section Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - "Where Wizards Stay Up Late": 4.0/5 (7,000+ ratings) - "Mother Daughter Me": 3.7/5 (1,400+ ratings) - "The Boys": 3.9/5 (2,000+ ratings) Amazon: - "Where Wizards Stay Up Late": 4.5/5 - "Mother Daughter Me": 4.2/5 - "The Boys": 4.3/5 One reader noted: "She makes technical history read like a novel." Another commented: "Her journalism background shows in the meticulous research."

Mother Daughter Me (2013) A memoir chronicling Hafner's failed experiment of moving in with both her teenage daughter and her 77-year-old mother.

Where Wizards Stay Up Late: The Origins of the Internet (1996) A detailed history of the creation of ARPANET and the development of the early Internet, based on interviews with the key scientists and engineers involved.

A Romance on Three Legs: Glenn Gould's Obsessive Quest for the Perfect Piano (2008) A biography exploring concert pianist Glenn Gould's relationship with his favorite Steinway piano, CD318, and the piano technician who maintained it.

The House at the Bridge: A Story of Modern Germany (1995) An examination of German history through the story of a villa near Berlin that housed both Nazi officials and later Soviet intelligence officers.

Cyberpunk: Outlaws and Hackers on the Computer Frontier (1991) A journalistic account of three notable early computer hackers and their activities in the 1980s.

The Well: A Story of Love, Death & Real Life in the Seminal Online Community (2001) An investigation of the pioneering online community The WELL and its impact on early Internet culture.

We Are All Targets: How Renegade Hackers Invented Cyber War and Unleashed an Age of Global Chaos (2023) A historical account of how early hackers and their activities led to the development of modern cyber warfare.

Tracy Kidder writes detailed character-driven narratives about technology, medicine, and social issues. His non-fiction works like "The Soul of a New Machine" and "Mountains Beyond Mountains" share Hafner's ability to make complex topics accessible through human stories.

Andrew Ross Sorkin focuses on business journalism and technology industry developments through narrative storytelling. His work "Too Big to Fail" demonstrates the same attention to research and historical documentation found in Hafner's technology writing.

Walter Isaacson chronicles the lives of innovators and technology pioneers with an emphasis on their cultural impact. His biographies of Steve Jobs and other tech figures parallel Hafner's interest in the human stories behind technological advancement.

Susan Orlean produces deeply researched narratives that examine specific subcultures and historical moments. Her immersive reporting style and focus on character development align with Hafner's approach to non-fiction storytelling.

Steven Levy specializes in technology journalism with a focus on Silicon Valley culture and the early days of computing. His books "Hackers" and "In The Plex" cover similar territory to Hafner's work on internet history and tech pioneers.