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Neal Thompson

Author - Grantmaker - Editor - Program Manager — Literary Arts, Corporate Philanthropy, Community Relations, Employee Engagement

Neal Thompson is an acclaimed nonfiction author, biographer, and freelance journalist based in Seattle, Washington.57 Born in 1965 in New Jersey, Thompson has had a diverse career spanning journalism, book writing, and teaching.17

Career Highlights

  • Journalism: Thompson worked as a reporter for several newspapers, including the Baltimore Sun, Philadelphia Inquirer, and St. Petersburg Times.34

  • Author: He has written six books, including biographies and a memoir57:

    • "Light This Candle: The Life and Times of Alan Shepard" (2005)
    • "Driving with the Devil: Southern Moonshine, Detroit Wheels, and the Birth of NASCAR" (2007)
    • "A Curious Man: The Strange and Brilliant Life of Robert 'Believe It or Not!' Ripley" (2013)
    • "Kickflip Boys: A Memoir of Freedom, Rebellion, and the Chaos of Fatherhood" (2018)
    • "The First Kennedys: The Humble Roots of a Dynasty" (2022)
  • Teaching: Thompson taught creative nonfiction at the University of North Carolina-Asheville's Great Smokies Writing Program and at Seattle's Hugo House.7

  • Podcast Writing: He has written for the award-winning podcast American History Tellers.7

Personal Life

Thompson married his wife Mary in 1994 and they have two sons, Sean and Leo.1 He holds a B.A. in English/Journalism-Communications from the University of Scranton.7

Thompson's work has been featured in various media outlets, including The Daily Show, NPR, New York Times, and Washington Post.7 He is known for his storytelling skills, journalistic approach, and ability to explore the lives of adventurous and sometimes flawed men.26

Highlights

Feb 11 · encyclopedia.com
Thompson, Neal 1965- | Encyclopedia.com
Aug 19 · brooklynrail.org
Skate Dad: NEAL THOMPSON with Marina Petrova
Meet a Visiting Author: Neal Thompson - Mineral School
Apr 28 · en.wikipedia.org
Neal Thompson - Wikipedia
Neal Thompson - author interviews

Related Questions

What inspired Neal Thompson to write "Light This Candle"?
How did Neal Thompson's experience at the Baltimore Sun influence his writing?
What are some of the most interesting facts Neal Thompson uncovered while researching "Driving with the Devil"?
How did Neal Thompson balance his role as a journalist and a father in his memoir "Skate Dad"?
What challenges did Neal Thompson face when writing about flawed men in his nonfiction books?
Neal Thompson
Neal Thompson, photo 1
Neal Thompson, photo 2
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Location

Seattle, Washington, United States