Washington Post editor, Pulitzer Prize winner to speak at YMI May 3

Warren Wilson announces:

The Cold War, Russian oligarchs and a spy sound like the makings of a great movie. But, those are the genuine topics of David E. Hoffman’s bestselling books and underscore the Pulitzer Prize-winning author and longtime The Washington Post newsman’s accomplishments.

Armed with a deep knowledge of the former Soviet Union, Hoffman is set for an exclusive conversation with Warren Wilson College President Steve Solnick at the Global Impact Forum—set for Tuesday, May 3, at 7 p.m. in the YMI Cultural Center on Market Street.

“We’re going to be covering a lot of ground in what I hope is a lively discussion—ranging from Russian politics to American foreign policy to public health challenges to the state of contemporary journalism,” said Solnick. “We’ll also be talking about his extraordinary book “The Billion Dollar Spy” and its real-life picture of Cold War spycraft in Moscow.”

Circling the globe throughout his storied journalism career, Hoffman was front and center for the Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush Presidencies, while also covering Israel and Russia as bureau chief.

“I first met David when he was Moscow bureau chief for The Washington Post, and I was teaching Russian politics. The book he researched while there and wrote following his assignment— “The Oligarchs”— is probably the definitive look at the rise of the post-Soviet kleptocracy,” Solnick said.

Solnick’s expertise in Russian politics and experiences in the country during his time with Ford Foundation in Moscow will fuel a conversation focused primarily on current global issues.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to talk about world affairs at this forum and to discuss my books,” said Hoffman. “The globe seems to be full of tumult and change, and I am certain it will be a lively and enlightening discussion.”

Hoffman’s “The Dead Hand: The Untold Story of the Cold War Arms Race and Its Dangerous Legacy” earned the 2010 Pulitzer for general nonfiction. The New York Times calls his latest work—“The Billion Dollar Spy: A True Story of Cold War Espionage and Betrayal”—“an engrossing tale.”

Warren Wilson College’s Global Impact Forum presents “An Evening with David Hoffman” is sponsored by Merrill Lynch/Himan Group, Roberts and Stevens, and Clark Nexsen.

Launched in the 2014-15 academic year, the Global Impact Forum brings compelling and in-depth conversation about world politics to Asheville. Previous speakers include Peter Baker, chief White House correspondent for The New York Times, and Peter Finn, national security editor of The Washington Post. Each event features a tête-à-tête rich with candid insights and pointed humor grounded by a detailed understanding of the issues that change the world.

While the event is free and open to the public, attendees are asked to register at warren-wilson.edu/alumni/global-impact.

For more information about David E. Hoffman, visit davidehoffman.com.