Works
Read an excerpt from White Knights in the Black Orchestra
Chapters 1 and 2 from my narrative nonfiction book about some members of the Nazi resistance in Germany
Read an excerpt from Color Blind
Chapter 1 of my book about the triumphs and tribulations of an integrated baseball team during the Depression
Read "Locked and Loaded for the Lord" Washington Post Magazine May 27, 2018
When Reverend Sun Myung Moon died in 2012 the Unification Church went into convulsions - and two of his gun-loving sons started a rival church in Pennsylvania. Washington Post Magazine cover story May 27, 2018
"In Pursuit"
The District of Columbia police department faces challenges recruiting new cops in today's tense environment. Washington Post Magazine cover story October 2, 2016.
"The Strange Tides of Shark Week"
Almost everything you wanted to know about Discovery Channel's annual "Shark Week" extravaganza. Washington Post Magazine cover story June 21, 2015.
"One Man's Waterloo"
Steve St. Clair's 20-year (and counting) quest to recreate the Battle of Waterloo in miniature; all 200,000 historically-precise soldiers. Washington Post Magazine, June 15, 2014.
"The Mentalist"
An April 6, 2014 Washington Post Magazine short profile of Washington Nationals pitching coach Steve McCatty.
"Charged"
A Washington Post Magazine cover story about the late Roy Sullivan, who holds the Guinness Record for being struck by lightning -- count 'em -- seven times! The editors of the British edition of Esquire named "Charged" one of the Top Ten long reads in the world in 2013.
"The Hunt Is On"
A 2011 Washington Post Magazine cover story about high-tech bounty hunters.
"Vigor Quest"
A 2010 New York Times Magazine feature about one man's foray into the brave, new, uncertain world of age-management medicine.
"Bob Feller Turns Back the Clock"
The Hall of Fame pitcher takes the mound for the last time. At age 90. Sports Illustrated.com, June 22, 2009.
"Word War III"
A Washington Post Magazine feature about the behind-the-scenes editing battles that go into the making of a controversial Wikipedia entry, in this case the biography of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
"Medical Marvel"
A 2008 Washington Post Magazine cover story about cutting-edge treatment for spinal cord injuries and the extraordinary personal journey of Pat Rummerfield, the first quadriplegic to regain control of his limbs...to the point of running marathons and driving race cars.
"Journey Into Jerusalem"
Reflections on a 1,100-mile bike ride from Cairo to Jerusalem via Jordan. The Baltimore Sun, January 7, 2007.
"End of the Race for Family Farm"
The stock of a Maryland horse farm owned by the family of the late New York Yankees outfielder Charlie Keller is put on the auction block, a casualty of suburbanization. A Baltimore Sun story chosen "Best Sports Feature" of 2006 by the Maryland-Delaware-District of Columbia Press Association.
"A Time for Remembrance"
A Baltimore Sun essay written on the fifth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Winner of the Baltimore-Washington Newspaper Guild's Front Page Award for Commentary in 2006.
"An Education In Aging"
An in-depth look at the personal and professional ties between a neurology professor and a group of elderly nuns who are participating in a landmark study of Alzheimer’s disease. The Baltimore Sun, June 18, 2006.
"The Book of Stephen"
A Baltimore Sun profile of a brilliant philosophy professor who suffers a debilitating stroke. Won First Prize in Feature Writing at the Washington-Baltimore Newspaper Guild Front Page Awards.
"John McCain's Private War"
A George magazine profile of Senator John McCain as he contemplates running for president...the first time around.
"Bruce Willis Kicks Asteroid"
A George magazine cover profile of Bruce timed to the release of one of his not-so-memorable movies.
"Kilimanjaro: The Roof of Africa"
A Travel & Leisure feature story about a trek up the untrafficked side of Mount Kilimanjaro led by world-class mountaineer Scott Fisher, who later died on Mount Everest in the ill-fated expedition that became John Krakauer's best-selling book, Into Thin Air.
"Capitol Offender"
My first piece for the Washington Post Style section and one of my favorites, a touch of Mayberry on the Potomac: a profile of Stacy Abney, the man who lived (yes, lived) under the steps of the U.S. Capitol.
"He's Gone to Look for America"
Art Garfunkel was five years into his walk across the United States when I profiled him for Sports Illustrated in October 1990. You could not ask for a more delightfully eccentric traveling companion.