Alan Weisman

Beckie Kravetz

Alan Weisman has reported from all seven continents and more than 60 countries. His books include The New York Times bestseller "The World Without Us," a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award. His work has appeared in Harper's, The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic Monthly, Vanity Fair, Mother Jones, and Salon, and on NPR. A cofounder of the journalism collective Homelands Productions, he is laureate professor emeritus of journalism at the University of Arizona, where he has led international reporting field courses. 

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Awards: Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Wenjin Book Prize (National Library of China), Social Inventions Award (Global Ideas Bank). Finalist: National Book Critics Circle Award, Rachel Carson Prize, J. Anthony Lukas Book Prize, Orion Book Award, Books for a Better Life Award

Communities: I live in western Massachusetts, but I've lived much of my life in Prescott, Sonoita, Patagonia, and Tucson AZ, and return often.

Covering a World on the Brink

Join author Alan Weisman for a conversation moderated by his longtime friend and fellow journalist Mort Rosenblum, as they explore environmental and other challenges shaping our planet’s future. They’ll discuss the stories behind Weisman’s groundbreaking work and the urgent questions facing us all.

Student Union Sabino (Seats 87)  
Sat, Mar 14, 10:00 am - 10:55 am
Current Issues / Politics / Social Science
Signing area: UA Campus Store Book Sales (Mall) (following presentation)  

Panelist: Alan Weisman
Moderator: Mort Rosenblum
Sponsors: Session made possible courtesy of Joan and Adrian Van Loozenoord, Derek & Lisa Reese

Activism in Action

What becomes possible when wealth is given away? How do brave souls fight the forces that act with disregard for our earth and its residents? How can we take action to oppose negative forces? Three authors explore bold action, persistent hope and the power of ordinary citizens to make meaningful change.

Student Union Santa Rita (Seats 110)  
Sat, Mar 14, 2:30 pm - 3:25 pm
Current Issues / Politics / Social Science
Signing area: UA Campus Store Book Sales (Mall) (following presentation)  

Panelists: David Gelles, Loubna Mrie, Alan Weisman
Moderator: Phineas Anderson
Sponsors: Session made possible courtesy of Joi and Bianca Bowen, Roberta and Bill Witchger, Carolyn W. Pope

Our Planet is in Peril

Climate change, PFAS chemical contaminations, mass extinctions, and our efforts to feed 8+ billion people are pushing our planet beyond its limits. These crises are connected and existential. These authors describe the challenges if we fail to take action and the visionaries who are tackling them.

Student Union Gallagher Theater (Seats 337)  
Sun, Mar 15, 1:00 pm - 1:55 pm
Current Issues / Politics / Social Science
Signing area: UA Campus Store Book Sales (Mall) (following presentation)  

Panelists: Mariah Blake, Kenneth Rosen, Alan Weisman
Moderator: Valerie Trouet
Sponsors: Session made possible courtesy of Beach Fleischman, David and Terri Polan

Climate, Hope & Resilience

From the front lines of wildfire to vanishing salt lakes and communities reshaping a warming world, this panel explores how people confront ecological crisis with courage and imagination. Blending memoir, global reporting and personal transformation, these authors illuminate where resilience and hope take root amid a changing climate.

National Park Experience Stage (Seats 146, Wheelchair accessible)  
Sun, Mar 15, 4:00 pm - 4:55 pm
Nature / Environment
Signing area: Sales & Signing Area - National Parks (following presentation)

Panelists: River Selby, Caroline Tracey, Alan Weisman
Moderator: Carol Schwalbe
Sponsor: Session made possible courtesy of Western National Parks

Books:

Hope Dies Last

Visionary People Across the World, Fighting to Find Us a Future
Current Issues / Politics / Social Science
Penguin Group
April 2025
ISBN 9781524746698
512 pages
Buy now

The World Without Us

Current Issues / Politics / Social Science
Picador
April 2022
ISBN 9781250834003
448 pages
Buy now