📖 Overview
Ben Montgomery is an American journalist and author known for his investigative reporting and narrative nonfiction books. His work has earned him a Pulitzer Prize finalist nomination and multiple national awards.
Montgomery gained recognition for his book "Grandma Gatewood's Walk," which chronicles the story of Emma Gatewood, the first woman to hike the entire Appalachian Trail alone. The book won the 2014 National Outdoor Book Award for History/Biography.
His other notable works include "The Man Who Walked Backward" and "A Shot in the Moonlight," both of which explore unique historical narratives from American history. Montgomery spent years as an enterprise reporter for the Tampa Bay Times, where his investigative work exposed abuses at Florida's infamous Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys.
Montgomery currently works as an independent journalist and continues to focus on narrative journalism and historical research. His reporting has appeared in numerous publications including Buzzfeed and the New York Times.
👀 Reviews
Readers praise Montgomery's detailed research and ability to bring historical figures to life through narrative journalism. His book "Grandma Gatewood's Walk" receives consistent praise for capturing Emma Gatewood's determination and spirit. On Goodreads, one reader noted: "The author perfectly balances historical context with personal details."
What readers liked:
- In-depth historical research
- Clear, engaging writing style
- Focus on overlooked historical figures
- Balance of facts with storytelling
What readers disliked:
- Some found pacing slow in middle sections
- Occasional repetition of details
- Wanted more personal insights into subjects
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads:
- "Grandma Gatewood's Walk": 4.0/5 (12,000+ ratings)
- "A Shot in the Moonlight": 4.1/5 (1,000+ ratings)
- "The Man Who Walked Backward": 3.8/5 (500+ ratings)
Amazon:
- Average 4.5/5 across all books
- 85% of reviews 4 stars or higher
📚 Books by Ben Montgomery
Grandma Gatewood's Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail (2014)
Biography of Emma Gatewood, who at age 67 became the first woman to hike the entire Appalachian Trail alone.
The Man Who Walked Backward: An American Dreamer's Search for Meaning in the Great Depression (2018) Chronicles Plennie Wingo's reverse walk around the world during the Great Depression to promote his Texas cafe.
The Leper Spy: The Story of an Unlikely Hero of World War II (2017) Details the life of Josefina Guerrero, a Filipina with leprosy who became an American spy during WWII.
A Shot in the Moonlight: How a Freed Slave and a Confederate Soldier Fought for Justice in the Jim Crow South (2021) Documents the 1897 case of George Dinning, a freed slave who defended his home against a white mob and sought legal justice.
The Man Who Walked Backward: An American Dreamer's Search for Meaning in the Great Depression (2018) Chronicles Plennie Wingo's reverse walk around the world during the Great Depression to promote his Texas cafe.
The Leper Spy: The Story of an Unlikely Hero of World War II (2017) Details the life of Josefina Guerrero, a Filipina with leprosy who became an American spy during WWII.
A Shot in the Moonlight: How a Freed Slave and a Confederate Soldier Fought for Justice in the Jim Crow South (2021) Documents the 1897 case of George Dinning, a freed slave who defended his home against a white mob and sought legal justice.
👥 Similar authors
Erik Larson writes narrative nonfiction that weaves historical events with individual stories, similar to Montgomery's approach to investigative journalism. His books focus on real events from the early 20th century and involve extensive archival research.
David Grann produces long-form journalism and nonfiction books that uncover forgotten pieces of history through detailed research. His writing style combines investigation with character-driven storytelling, focusing on historical mysteries and true crime.
Karen Abbott chronicles American history through the lens of overlooked figures and events, with an emphasis on women's stories. Her research methods and narrative techniques mirror Montgomery's focus on untold historical accounts.
Hampton Sides writes historical narratives that blend journalism with storytelling, focusing on American history and adventure. His books incorporate primary sources and firsthand accounts to reconstruct historical events.
Timothy Egan specializes in histories of the American West and stories of perseverance through historical challenges. His work combines environmental and social history with biographical elements, based on archival research and historical documentation.
David Grann produces long-form journalism and nonfiction books that uncover forgotten pieces of history through detailed research. His writing style combines investigation with character-driven storytelling, focusing on historical mysteries and true crime.
Karen Abbott chronicles American history through the lens of overlooked figures and events, with an emphasis on women's stories. Her research methods and narrative techniques mirror Montgomery's focus on untold historical accounts.
Hampton Sides writes historical narratives that blend journalism with storytelling, focusing on American history and adventure. His books incorporate primary sources and firsthand accounts to reconstruct historical events.
Timothy Egan specializes in histories of the American West and stories of perseverance through historical challenges. His work combines environmental and social history with biographical elements, based on archival research and historical documentation.