Tucson Festival of Books

David Gelles



Guerin Blask

David Gelles is an award-winning correspondent for The New York Times. He currently writes for the climate desk and previously wrote for the business section and was the “Corner Office” columnist. His latest book "Dirtbag Billionaire," reveals how outdoor company Patagonia became a global leader in, doing well by doing good, and how other companies are adopting its principles. His previous book, "The Man Who Broke Capitalism," was an instant New York Times bestseller.

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Scheduled events:
Lead with Curiosity, Act with Purpose
What does it mean to lead with curiosity and act with purpose? Join David Gelles, David Litt and John P. Schaefer for a conversation that spans bold adventures, unexpected leadership and public service. Expect insights, humor, and inspiring reminders of how each of us can chart a meaningful path.

Integrated Learning Center Room 150 (Seats 155, Wheelchair accessible)  View this venue on the Festival map
Sat, Mar 14, 10:00 am - 10:55 am
Memoir / Essays / Creative Nonfiction
Signing area: Sales & Signing Area - Integrated Learning Center (following presentation)  View this venue on the Festival map

Panelists: David Gelles, David Litt, John Schaefer
Moderator: Stefanie Teller
Sponsors: Session made possible courtesy of Hughes Federal Credit Union, Kimberly Peters and Bruce Peters, Holualoa Companies
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)  View this venue on the Festival map
Sat, Mar 14, 2:30 pm - 3:25 pm
Current Issues / Politics / Social Science
Signing area: UA Campus Store Book Sales (Mall) (following presentation)  View this venue on the Festival map

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
The Fight to be Understood
Join bestselling authors, David Gelles, David Leaf and Jeff Pearlman. All three of their books examine flawed, complex individuals facing judgment -- public, personal or internal -- and the journey toward redemption or reinvention.

Koffler Room 218 (Seats 142, Wheelchair accessible)  View this venue on the Festival map
Sun, Mar 15, 2:30 pm - 3:25 pm
Memoir / Essays / Creative Nonfiction
Signing area: Sales & Signing Koffler/Commons (following presentation)

Panelists: David Gelles, David Leaf, Jeff Pearlman
Moderator: Samuel Cohon
Sponsors: Session made possible courtesy of Judith Marro, Jody Williams

Books:
Dirtbag Billionaire
How Yvon Chouinard Built Patagonia, Made a Fortune, and Gave It All Away
Memoir / Essays / Creative Nonfiction
Simon & Schuster
September 2025
ISBN 9781668032268
320 pages
Buy now

The Man Who Broke Capitalism
How Jack Welch Gutted the Heartland and Crushed the Soul of Corporate America—and How to Undo His Legacy
Business
Simon & Schuster
May 2023
ISBN 9781982176426
288 pages
Buy now