by Ari Shapiro
First published 2023
Ari Shapiro opens his world to readers through a collection of personal essays drawn from his career as an NPR broadcaster. The All Things Considered host recounts his experiences aboard Air Force One with President Obama, his encounters with Syrian refugees escaping conflict, and his meetings with social justice advocates across continents. Shapiro moves between heartwarming moments and devastating realities, always seeking the human element that connects disparate experiences. His approach focuses on breaking through the isolated bubbles that separate people from understanding one another. Through his journalism, Shapiro searches for common ground between individuals who appear different on the surface. The book reveals how one reporter's commitment to listening and sharing stories can bridge divides of religion, nationality, and politics. Shapiro reminds readers that humanity forms the foundation beneath all other identities.
Genres: non-fiction, biography-memoir, 21st-century, journalism
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, personal-growth
Setting: Air Force One, Syria
Period: 21st Century
256 pages · Hardcover · HarperOne