Books by Karl Zinsmeister
The Brothers (forthcoming historical novel)
Tells the lost true tale of three brothers who turned the nation against slavery for the first time in our history. During the Jacksonian era when our politics were harshly partisan and often gridlocked, the Tappan brothers pioneered new ways of solving national problems through philanthropic gifts, mass persuasion campaigns, courtroom battles, religious appeals, and skillful culture reform. Set in an emerging New York City amidst great social tumult and the Erie Canal economic boom, the story churns through grand sea voyages, frontier explorations, the making of great fortunes, the rise of our national political parties, shocking urban riots, slave escapes, press scandals, a stunning fire, and searing personal loss. Through it all the brothers touch an astonishing number of key American events and personalities. And despite bitter clashes, they somehow manage to keep loving each other. With fascinating detail, this epic story transports readers to a national moment with much relevance for contemporary America. |

Micro Aid
How America can best China & Russia by healing fractured hotspots.
An embedded report from conflict zones in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
— Amazon page
The Almanac of American Philanthropy (authoritative reference work) — review at Boston Globe — Amazon page |
Virginia Warbler's Valiant Journey First in a series of illustrated character fables for children starring North American birds. The birds lightly model personal virtues, and each volume brings to life a particular U.S. geography displaying diverse qualities of nature. — Amazon page |

What Comes Next?
How private givers can rescue America
in an era of political frustration
— Amazon page
![]() Finger Lakes Feast (storytelling cookbook) — New York Times review — Amazon page — the book's Web site (FingerLakesFeast.com) — some other reviews |

From Promising to Proven
(book about the rise of charter schools)
— Wall Street Journal essay
— Amazon page
Agenda Setting
(about changing public policy via philanthropy) — spinoff article at RealClearPolitics — excerpt at National Review — Amazon page |
