Picture a fearless storyteller who swapped war zones for icy Arctic thrillers and Amazonian exposés—meet Bob Reiss, the American author and journalist who also writes as Ethan Black and James Abel! With a knack for weaving environmental urgency into gripping narratives, Reiss has spent decades exploring the world’s wildest corners, from Antarctica to Sudan, turning his adventures into books and articles that spark both awe and action.
The Making of Bob Reiss
Born in 1951 in New York City, Bob Reiss grew up with a curiosity that propelled him far beyond his urban roots. A Northwestern University journalism graduate with an MFA from the University of Oregon, he cut his teeth as a reporter, covering conflict in Northern Ireland and later writing for the Chicago Tribune and Outside Magazine. These early experiences—dodging danger and chasing stories—shaped his bold, immersive style, blending hard-hitting facts with vivid storytelling.
Bob Reiss’s Unforgettable Stories
Reiss’s bibliography spans over 24 books, split between nonfiction and fiction, often under pseudonyms Ethan Black and James Abel. His nonfiction, like The Coming Storm (2001), dives into global warming’s terrifying stakes, linking extreme weather to human impact with clarity that earned praise from environmentalist Bill McKibben. The Eskimo and the Oil Man (2012) explores the Arctic’s oil battles through the eyes of an Iñupiaq leader and a Shell executive, balancing energy needs with ecological costs. As Ethan Black, Reiss penned the Conrad Voort series, starting with The Broken Hearts Club (1999), thrillers following a New York detective with colonial-era cop roots. Under James Abel, he launched the Joe Rush bio-thriller series with White Plague (2015), a chilling Arctic submarine tale blending science and suspense. His style—taut, evocative, and grounded in real-world stakes—makes every page a call to think deeper.
Reiss’s fiction often draws from his journalistic travels, infusing thrillers with environmental and geopolitical themes. His 2022 short story collection, Still Hungry, Tales From the Shadows, channels Twilight Zone vibes, exploring human fears and desires in speculative settings. Whether writing about climate crises or corporate conspiracies, Reiss crafts stories that entertain while urging readers to confront the world’s fragility.
Why Bob Reiss Matters
Bob Reiss’s impact lies in his ability to make complex issues accessible and urgent. His environmental nonfiction has influenced policymakers and readers alike, with The Coming Storm shaping early climate conversations. His fiction, meanwhile, sneaks eco-consciousness into page-turning plots, reaching audiences who might not pick up a science report. A 2018 New York Press Club award for Arctic reporting and a Redford Center grant for a Bering Strait documentary cement his legacy as a storyteller who bridges art and activism. Reiss’s work reminds us that stories can change how we see—and save—our planet.
- Born: 1951, New York City
- Key Works: The Coming Storm, The Eskimo and the Oil Man, White Plague (as James Abel), The Broken Hearts Club (as Ethan Black)
- Awards: 2018 New York Press Club Best Magazine Reporting, Redford Center Grant
Ready to explore a world where thrills meet truth? Grab The Coming Storm or White Plague and dive into Bob Reiss’s electrifying blend of eco-fiction and adventure!