Jack El-Hai, the author of The Lobotomist, has worked for more than twenty years as a freelance writer of books, essays, and articles. He has contributed to The Atlantic Monthly, American Heritage, The Washington Post Magazine, The History Channel Magazine, and many other publications. He specializes in writing history-based journalism. He previously wrote Lost Minnesota: Stories of Vanished Places (University of Minnesota Press, 2000) as well as numerous corporate and organizational history books. Jack has received several honors and awards for his work, including the June Roth Memorial Award for Medical Journalism, grants from the Center for Arts Criticism, and fellowships from the McKnight and Jerome foundations. He frequently gives public lectures and workshops on writing, and he teaches at The Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis. Born in Los Angeles, he graduated from Carleton College in Minnesota. He currently serves as president of the American Society of Journalists and Authors. Jack lives in Minneapolis with his wife and daughters.