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Best-selling author and journalist Jeffrey Zaslow died February 10 in a car accident in Michigan. He was 53. His loss is felt keenly in the BlogHer community. We had the privilege of working with Mr. Zaslow, and his most recent book, The Magic Room, was one of our BlogHer Book Club selections.
I only worked with him for a short time. Most of our communication was done via third parties and in his comments on our discussions about his book. I enjoyed those exchanges immensely, and he showed a great sense of humor in his replies. Having read his work, I know that he was a compassionate man with a large capacity for love. Dedicated to his daughters, The Magic Room was sparked by his desire to express his love for them and convey the love he wished them to find in a spouse.
A nonfiction writer, Zaslow was well known for his work with computer scientist Randy Pausch on The Last Lecture. He worked with Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and her husband, veteran astronaut Mark Kelly, on their memoir, GABBY: A Story of Courage and Hope. His writings include Highest Duty, co-written with Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, and The Girls from Ames, which followed a group of 11 childhood friends over 40 years. He was also one of two columnists chosen by the Chicago Sun-Times to replace Ann Landers in 1987.
Zaslow had this to say about the people whose stories he highlighted in his essay for the BlogHer Book Club:
In a way, I become just a messenger, helping people –- both the famous and the little known –- find and explain the lessons of their lives. For me it’s a great responsibility, and also a great honor.
It was a great honor to work with a writer as modest as he was compassionate. Our hearts and sympathies are with his loved ones.
BlogHer Book Club Host Karen Ballum also blogs at Sassymonkey and Sassymonkey Reads.
