The National Writers Series- An Evening with Buzz Bissinger
Rarely does an author transcend his chosen genre. Buzz Bissinger managed to do it first with his breakout bestseller turned popular television series, Friday Night Lights. Not just a sportswriter, Bissinger is a master storyteller known for his artful ability to capture the everyday dramas faced by coaches and players off the court and away from the cheers of adoring fans. His ability to weave a compelling narrative and reveal the human side of every story is why some Bissinger's most ardent fans are, in fact, readers who have little interest in watching sports.
Now with his latest book, one of this nation's most-honored and distinguished writers ventures into entirely new and intensely emotional terrain. Father's Day: A Journey into the Mind and Heart of My Extraordinary Son, chronicles the lives of Bissinger's twin sons, born 13 weeks premature in 1983 and weighing less than two pounds. Gerry and Zach are twins who grew to live diametrically opposed lives. Buzz Bissinger appeared with Detroit News columnist, Neal Rubin to discuss his latest book, his life and some of the interesting back stories behind his award-winning career. The author of five highly acclaimed nonfiction books — Friday Night Lights, A Prayer for the City, Three Nights in August, Shooting Stars and Father's Day — Bissinger first won praise as a journalist working for The Philadelphia Inquirer where he received the Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting for story on corruption in the Philadelphia court system in 1987.