Staff writer for The New Yorker. Author of The Looming Tower, Going Clear, and God Save Texas. Screenwriter, playwright, keyboard player for Austin band WhoDo.
Austin
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It infuriates me to see the Kennedy Center threatened with demolition. It was the site of one of my fondest memories. Let's keep politics out of this cultural treasure.
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Reading the audiobook of REDEMPTION: Faith, Justice, and Sisterhood on Death Row. One of the most moving stories I’ve ever encountered. Out in October.
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Filmmaker Rick Linklater's side hustle: creating his own art museum called 9 Boxes. All done in laminated wood. An exuberant spectacle and a singular vision. (Some of the shapes derive from photos he took of gum on NYC sidewalks.)
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We loss Pat Oliphant the most irreverent man I ever knew. He’s modeling the clay of the lady cannoneer in downtown Austin.
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A memorable night a decade ago when Marcia Ball and Floyd Domino traded licks on my piano. A memorable night a decade ago when Floyd Domino and Marcia Ball traded licks on my piano. piped.video/watch?v=IXBvQ5IL…
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Great first review of "Redemption," coming 10/20: Wright is well known for his books on al Qaeda, Scientology, and other “closeted worlds.” This book looks into two of them: the women’s death row in a prison outside Waco, Texas, and a breakaway convent banned by the Vatican...
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In this distressing conflict with Iran, a reminder of the nature of that regime. nytimes.com/2026/06/23/world…
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Mark Singer was the first New Yorker writer I ever met. I was envious of his success but admiring of his humor and humility. He was a generous spirit, but also edgy, always curious, the very qualities that made him the quintessential New Yorker writer. nytimes.com/2026/06/21/obitu…
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It's a plea to hold up the standards of the most venerated news show in broadcast history. mediaite.com/media/dan-rathe…
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If you've never been to the Mount, this is a great opportunity. C'mon by and say hi.
theberkshireedge.com/event/l…
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This just popped up on New Yorker site. I loved this story, and the illustration is genius. newyorker.com/magazine/2022/…
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Thanks Mike it was a story that needed telling.
I just watch The Looming Tower for the first time a few weeks ago. I think I've seen every 9/11 movie, series , and documentary, and Looming Tower easily my favorite. I wonder if Condi, Diane Marsh & Martin Schmidt enjoyed it as much as I did?
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Here's a photo I missed of the cast of "The Looming Tower" along with Dan Futterman (showrunner) and me. That was a great experience, and I'm proud of what we made. Now here we are approaching the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and it's still pertinent.
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It's always a nice day when Stephen King lists your book as one of his favorites. theportalist.com/stephen-kin…
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Ignoring the specter of terrorism makes more attacks all but certain.
No counterterrorism strategy. The Director of NCTC just resigned. And USG has been slashing budgets & reassigning CT personnel for years. We've had 4 terror attacks on U.S. soil in the last 2 weeks.
And Iran will be motivated to attack the U.S. homeland.
theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0…
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WhoDo fans, the band is back together Saturday 3/21 at Green Mesquite BBQ in Austin. We're going to rock! Hope you can join us.
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A new magazine has been born. Bon chance, Now Voyager! nowvoyagermag.com
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It’s a courageous account. Everyone should read.
On sale today: DEFIANCE by @Loubnamrie
"A heartbreaking account of a young woman’s struggle for freedom against the rampaging forces of fanaticism and tyranny... Unforgettable.” —@lawrence_wright
Start reading now ➡️ bit.ly/4s1PtWh
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Delighted to see it in paperback!
“A layered tale of intrigue and betrayal.”—Geraldine Brooks, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of March and Horse
THE HUMAN SCALE 🔥
by @lawrence_wright
Now available in paperback
📖 Learn More: penguinrandomhouse.com/books…
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it's been more than a dozen years since Sarge Pfauth, who attended the dying days of Scientology's founder, L. Ron Hubbard, awarded me his final interview. In this, he disclosed secrets that organization never wanted to come to light. Some of this appeared in the documentary I did with Alex Gibney "Going Clear." Now you can see the entire interview. tonyortega.org/2026/01/24/la…
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