Blaine Harden

Blaine Harden is an American journalist and author known for his investigative reporting and narrative non-fiction books, particularly on North Korea and environmental issues in the Pacific Northwest. He has worked as a foreign correspondent for The Washington Post and a national correspondent for The New York Times, reporting from locations including Africa, Eastern Europe, and Asia. His acclaimed book Escape from Camp 14 brought international attention to the human rights abuses within North Korea's political prison camps.

Early life and education

Blaine Harden was born in 1952 in Omaha, Nebraska. He pursued his higher education at the University of Missouri, where he earned a degree in journalism from its renowned Missouri School of Journalism. His early interest in writing and current affairs was shaped during this period, setting the foundation for his future career. After graduation, he began his professional journey in the competitive field of newspaper reporting.

Journalism career

Harden's journalism career began at the Spokane Daily Chronicle in Washington. He later joined The Washington Post, where he served as a foreign correspondent for over a decade, with postings in Warsaw, Nairobi, and Tokyo. During his tenure, he covered major events such as the fall of communism in Eastern Europe and the Rwandan genocide. He subsequently worked for The New York Times as a national correspondent based in Seattle, reporting extensively on the American West and environmental politics. His reporting has also appeared in publications like The Economist, Frontline, and The Guardian.

Books and publications

Harden is the author of several critically acclaimed non-fiction books. His 2012 bestseller, Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West, details the life of Shin Dong-hyuk, a defector from a North Korea political prison camp. He further explored the secretive state in The Great Leader and the Fighter Pilot: The True Story of the Tyrant Who Created North Korea and The Young Lieutenant Who Stole His Way to Freedom. His earlier work, A River Lost: The Life and Death of the Columbia, examines the environmental history and impact of dams on the Columbia River. Other notable publications include Africa: Dispatches from a Fragile Continent and Murder at the Mission: A Frontier Killing, Its Legacy of Lies, and the Taking of the American West.

Awards and recognition

Throughout his career, Harden has received numerous accolades for his journalism and authorship. He has been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in international reporting for his coverage of the Rwandan genocide. His book Escape from Camp 14 won the Grand Prix de la Biographie Politique in France and was shortlisted for the BBC Samuel Johnson Prize. His environmental writing in A River Lost earned him recognition from organizations like the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association. He has also received awards from the Society of Professional Journalists and the American Society of Newspaper Editors.

Personal life

Blaine Harden is married to journalist Jessica Kowal, a former reporter for The New York Times and The Seattle Times. The couple resides in Seattle, Washington. He has two children from a previous marriage. In his personal time, Harden is an avid outdoorsman, with interests in hiking and exploring the landscapes of the Pacific Northwest that often feature in his writing.

Category:American journalists Category:American non-fiction writers Category:1952 births Category:Living people Category:University of Missouri alumni Category:Writers from Omaha, Nebraska Category:The Washington Post people Category:The New York Times people