George Packer

George packer

Writer for The Atlantic and formerly The New Yorker, Award-Winning Author

George Packer is not just an acclaimed journalist and award-winning author; he’s a storyteller with a passion for unpacking the complexities of American politics, culture, and foreign policy. Currently a staff writer at The Atlantic, Packer joined the publication in 2018 after a distinguished 15-year tenure at The New Yorker. His work blends sharp analysis with compelling narrative, bringing clarity to our turbulent times. Packer has written ten books, with his latest, Last Best Hope: America in Crisis and Renewal, earning high praise. The National Peace Corps Association, paying homage to Packer’s own time as a Peace Corps volunteer in Togo, lauded the book for its “stunning, synthesizing prose” and its insightful exploration of America’s challenges and potential paths forward. Throughout his career, Packer’s contributions have been recognized with numerous accolades, including the National Book Award, the Hitchens Prize, and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. His intellectual curiosity and dedication to his craft have also earned him fellowships at prestigious institutions like the American Academy in Berlin and the New York Public Library. Packer’s journey began at Yale College and was shaped by his service in the Peace Corps, experiences that continue to inform his nuanced perspectives. Whether dissecting the intricacies of foreign policy or delving into cultural critiques, Packer’s work is marked by a deep commitment to understanding and articulating the forces shaping our world.

George Packer participated as a panelist at The Common Good Town Hall: “Bridging America’s Divides” moderated by John Heilemann and featuring co-panelists; Steven Brill, Frank Bruni, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Congressman David Jolly, Heather Cox Richardson, Congressman Tim Ryan, and Andrew Yang.

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The Atlantic: George Packer

Barton Gellman

Barton Gellman is a highly respected and much-honored author and journalist, a staff writer at The Atlantic, and Senior Fellow at the Century Foundation in New York. His awards include the Pulitzer Prize, an Emmy for documentary filmmaking, and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize.

His recent articles from The Atlantic have been widely praised for the cogent look at the turmoil and chaos that could erupt from the 2020 election. 

Gellman is responsible for many important stories. He led The Washington Post's coverage of the U.S. National Security Agency, which was based in large measure on top-secret documents provided to him by ex-NSA contractor Edward Snowden. He published a book for Penguin Press on the rise of the surveillance-industrial state in May 2020.

Gellman joined TCG on Wednesday October 28th, 2020 for “The Election that Could Break America”, a discussion about what to expect after the 2020 Biden-Trump election. The event was moderated by Tom Rogers, the founder of CNBC and a CNBC contributor.