Michael Dirda

Michael Dirda is a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for The Washington Post Book World and author of the memoir “An Open Book,” the Edgar Award-winning critical study "On Conan Doyle," and five collections of essays: “Readings,” “Bound to Please,” “Book by Book,” “Classics for Pleasure” and "Browsings." Dirda was born in Lorain, Ohio, graduated with highest honors in English from Oberlin College, and received a Ph.D. in comparative literature (medieval studies and European romanticism) from Cornell University.
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Latest from Michael Dirda

Stop trying to make language ‘funner.’ Grammar rules exist for a reason.

Anne Curzan’s book “Says Who?” goes too far in renouncing the fundamental rules of language usage.

April 25, 2024

A new look at the original Romantic heartthrob, Lord Byron

On the 200th anniversary of his death, two new books explore the life and work of the poet who inspired the Byronic hero — proud, introspective and magnetic.

April 18, 2024

How did Ian Fleming create James Bond? He looked in the mirror.

A new biography, “Ian Fleming: The Complete Man,” by Nicholas Shakespeare, recounts the storied life of the thriller-writer behind 007.

April 12, 2024
Sean Connery in a scene from 1962's “Dr. No.”

    How to shop in used-book stores: 14 tips from a bibliophile

    Bring a flashlight and expect to get dirty. Michael Dirda, a used-bookstore connoisseur, shares his shopping tricks.

    April 5, 2024

    The two best American fantasy writers you’ve probably never heard of

    A new look at the works of Manly Wade Wellman and Avram Davidson.

    March 15, 2024

    Agatha Christie she was not, but Carolyn Wells was a mystery novel phenom

    Creator of a detective named Fleming Stone, this early-20th-century writer was a prolific pulp novelist — and now the subject of a biography, “The Vanishing of Carolyn Wells.”

    March 8, 2024
    The writer Carolyn Wells in 1937.

    Thought ‘Poor Things’ was weird? The novel is, too — in a good way.

    Before it was a movie, “Poor Things” was a novel by Alasdair Gray, a Scottish author of many experimental works well worth reading.

    February 28, 2024

    Before Romeo and Juliet, there was Khosrow and Shirin

    The medieval Persian epic “Khosrow & Shirin” is a rich and gloriously excessive love story.

    February 9, 2024

    Meet the expert who unmasked a Hitler forgery and appraised Nixon’s papers

    In his memoir, “Safeguarding History,” Kenneth W. Rendell chronicles his career as a dealer of historical documents and an expert on the detection of forgery.

    February 2, 2024
    Kenneth W. Rendell testifies in Mark Hofmann's murder and forgery trial in 1987. Hofmann had faked historical documents that he claimed were related to the Mormon Church, then killed two people to stop them from revealing the forgeries.

    A Sherlock Holmes birthday itinerary: Trains, tweed and the Wessex Cup

    Arthur Conan Doyle’s fictional detective, thought to be born on Jan. 6, was feted in New York. I joined fellow Baker Street Irregulars to celebrate.

    January 25, 2024
    Frank Cho designed the program cover for the Baker Street Irregulars' 90th anniversary dinner this month.