The Penguin Speakers Bureau

Eric Klinenberg is a professor of sociology at New York University.

His first book, HEAT WAVE: A Social Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago, has already been called “a classic” work of American sociology (Contemporary Sociology). It won six scholarly and literary prizes (as well as a “Favorite Book” selection from The Chicago Tribune) and was praised as “a dense and subtle portrait” (Malcolm Gladwell, The New Yorker), “a remarkable, riveting account” (American Prospect), “intellectually exciting” (Amartya Sen), and a “trenchant, persuasive tale of slow murder by public policy” (Salon). A theatrical adaptation of HEAT WAVE premiered in Chicago in 2008, and a feature documentary based on the book is currently in production.

Klinenberg’s second book, FIGHTING FOR AIR: The Battle to Control America’s Media, was called “politically passionate and intellectually serious” (Columbia Journalism Review), “a must-read for those who wonder what happened to good radio, accurate reporting, and autonomous public interest” (Time Out New York), and “eye-opening… required reading for conscientious citizens” (Kirkus). Since its publication, Klinenberg has become a leading voice in debates about the future of media. He has testified about the dangers of media consolidation before the Federal Communications Commission and participated in an influential Aspen Institute working group on democracy and the media.

In addition to his books and scholarly articles, Klinenberg appears often on National Public Radio and national television news programs, and writes for popular publications such as The New York Times Magazine, Rolling Stone, Playboy, The Nation, The Washington Post, Mother Jones, The Guardian, Le Monde Diplomatique, and Slate.

His next book, ALONE IN AMERICA, is set to be published by Penguin Press in 2009.