Michael Finkel is a journalist and memoirist renowned for his gripping works and dynamic storytelling. With an adventurous spirit, Finkel has traveled to over 50 countries, crafting narratives that explore human experiences in profound and diverse contexts. His journey into journalism began early, as he pursued his passion for writing throughout his academic years, contributing to both high school and college newspapers.

Upon graduating college in 1990, Finkel's career took flight with Skiing Magazine, allowing him to ski across the globe, including destinations like Iran, China, and the glaciers of Mount Kilimanjaro. His versatile pen found him reporting on peculiar sports for Sports Illustrated and embarking on daring assignments for National Geographic Adventure. His work has touched upon subjects as varied as the Sahara desert migrations, poaching in Central Africa, and climbing expeditions.

Finkel's reportage has not been without controversy. During an assignment on child labor in West Africa's cocoa plantations for The New York Times Magazine, he faced backlash for blending several interviews into a composite character, a transgression that led to his dismissal from the publication. However, in a twist of fate, on the same day of his firing, Finkel discovered that a fugitive had assumed his identity. This revelation ignited a complex and lengthy correspondence, culminating in his critically acclaimed book, True Story: Murder, Memoir, Mea Culpa, which was adapted into a feature film.

Following this, Finkel continued his work for National Geographic, uncovering stories in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nepal, and Tanzania. His insatiable curiosity about the human condition led him to explore tales of survival, science, and crime. His subsequent best-seller, The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit, invites readers into the silent odyssey of a man who lived in seclusion for decades.

Intrigued by the enigmatic French art thief, Stéphane Breitwieser, Finkel penned The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession, released in June 2023, chronicling an eleven-year investigation into a thief who stole for passion rather than profit.

Finkel's life is not just one of adventures and words; he also enjoys the bustling family life with his wife and three children. Throughout his career's ebbs and flows, his love for storytelling remains the constant star that guides his path.