📖 Overview
David Wolman is an American journalist, author and contributing editor at Wired magazine who focuses on science, technology, and social issues. His work has appeared in publications including the New York Times, the New Yorker, Nature, and Outside.
Wolman gained recognition for his 2012 book "The End of Money: Counterfeiters, Preachers, Techies, Dreamers—and the Coming Cashless Society," which explored digital payments and the future of currency. His other notable books include "A Left-Hand Turn Around the World" examining left-handedness and "Righting the Mother Tongue" about English spelling reform.
His investigative journalism has covered diverse topics from meteorology and climate change to neuroscience and digital culture. Wolman's 2016 book "Firsthand" documented the story of a wrongly convicted man's path to exoneration.
He has received multiple awards including a 2016 Oregon Arts Commission Individual Fellowship Award and a Fulbright Journalism Fellowship. Wolman is based in Portland, Oregon and continues to write about emerging technologies, scientific discoveries, and their impacts on society.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Wolman's clear explanations of complex topics and journalistic approach to research. His books receive praise for making technical subjects accessible while maintaining depth. On "The End of Money," readers note his balanced perspective on digital currency and engaging interviews with diverse sources.
Readers liked:
- In-depth research and first-hand reporting
- Conversational writing style
- Ability to connect seemingly unrelated concepts
- Personal anecdotes that illustrate larger points
Common criticisms:
- Some books feel like expanded magazine articles
- Occasional tangents that distract from main narratives
- Conclusions sometimes lack concrete recommendations
Ratings across platforms:
The End of Money
- Goodreads: 3.7/5 (1,200+ ratings)
- Amazon: 4.1/5 (90+ reviews)
A Left-Hand Turn Around the World
- Goodreads: 3.5/5 (300+ ratings)
- Amazon: 4.0/5 (40+ reviews)
"His research is thorough but never dry," notes one Amazon reviewer. "Could have used more focus on solutions," writes another.
📚 Books by David Wolman
A Left-Hand Turn Around the World (2005)
A global exploration of left-handedness through science, history, and cultural perspectives.
Righting the Mother Tongue (2008) An investigation into the evolution of English spelling and the historical efforts to reform it.
The End of Money (2012) An examination of physical currency's role in modern society and the potential shift toward cashless transactions.
The Instigators (2014) A detailed account of activists using digital tools during Egypt's 2011 revolution.
Aloha Rodeo (2019) The true story of three Hawaiian cowboys who competed in Wyoming's Frontier Days rodeo in 1908.
A History of Money: From Sandstone to Cybermoney (2022) A chronological exploration of currency evolution from ancient times through modern digital payment systems.
Born to Walk (2023) An investigation into bipedalism's role in human evolution and its ongoing significance in modern life.
Righting the Mother Tongue (2008) An investigation into the evolution of English spelling and the historical efforts to reform it.
The End of Money (2012) An examination of physical currency's role in modern society and the potential shift toward cashless transactions.
The Instigators (2014) A detailed account of activists using digital tools during Egypt's 2011 revolution.
Aloha Rodeo (2019) The true story of three Hawaiian cowboys who competed in Wyoming's Frontier Days rodeo in 1908.
A History of Money: From Sandstone to Cybermoney (2022) A chronological exploration of currency evolution from ancient times through modern digital payment systems.
Born to Walk (2023) An investigation into bipedalism's role in human evolution and its ongoing significance in modern life.
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