David Elliot Cohen is an American author and editor who has, over a 30-year span, created more than 70 photography books. He is probably best known for the best-selling Day in the Life and America 24/7 series of photography books that he co-created with Rick Smolan.
Cohen created four New York Times bestsellers: A Day in the Life of America (1986),The New York Times "Best Sellers December 14, 2003". Accessed February 13, 2008. A Day in the Life of the Soviet Union (1987),The New York Times "Best Sellers January 3, 1988". Accessed February 13, 2008. Christmas in America (1988),The New York Times "Best Sellers December 18, 1988". Accessed February 13, 2008. and America 24/7 (2003).The New York Times "Best Sellers December 21, 2003". Accessed February 13, 2008. His 2009 book, Obama: The Historic Front Pages was a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller. His 2008 book, What Matters combined photo-reportage about essential issues of our time with essays by prominent commentators including Samantha Power, Jeffrey Sachs and Bill McKibben. The Chicago Tribune called the book, "Powerful and passionate."Chicago Tribune "Hard to See, Impossible to Turn Away " Accessed January 28, 2010.
He also wrote a travelogue, One Year Off (1999),Globe Corner Bookstores "One Year Off by David Elliot Cohen " Accessed February 13, 2008. which chronicles a rambling 16-month trip around the world by land, air, and sea with his three children, Kara, William, and Lucas. The San Francisco Chronicle called the book "honest, reflective, and often uproariously funny,".San Francisco Chronicle "Circling the globe with family in tow" Accessed February 13, 2008. The New York Times was less flattering, calling it, "a book that proves it is also possible to go almost everywhere and learn almost nothing."The New York Times "One Year Off by David Elliot Cohen" Accessed January 28, 2010.
Cohen wrote a second travelogue in 2016, entitled The Wrong Dog. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said “Despite the adorable puppy portrait on the cover, the book is more than the story of Simba and the cross-country road trip. It’s a beautifully written memoir... funny, sweet, and sad.” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Pet Tales: Family wouldn’t leave ‘Wrong Dog’ behind" Accessed February 1, 2018. In 2018 The Wrong Dog won an International Book Award,International Book Awards 2018 " " a National Indie Excellence Award " Indie Excellence Award 11th Annual Winners " and an Independent Press Award,Independent Press Awards 2018 Winners"" all in the animal and pet books category.
Cohen was born in Buffalo, New York, grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania. He lived in Manhattan for ten years before moving to Marin County, California. He returned to Manhattan in 2014. He graduated from Yale University in 1977 with a degree in English literature. His honors include a National Jewish Book Award, the American Jewish Committee's humanitarian award, a Catholic Press Association Award and a silver medal from the king of Spain for the promotion of Spanish tourism. He currently serves on the board of the International Center for Journalists.
Major works
Pro bono works
External links "Portrait of America: High Tech Photo Book captures scenes of modern life" by Alden Mudge. Book Page Interview", December, 2003. "A Day in the Life of Africa: A 24-Hour Vision of a Continent" The Globalist, 2002. "One Year Off Press Release" Traveler's Tales, June, 2001. "Olympus Partners with America 24-7, The Largest Photography Project in History" Olympus and America 24/7, May, 2003. "America 24/7: Extraordinary Images of One American Week" by Rick Smolan and David Elliot Cohen. The Digital Journalist, November, 2003. A Day in the Life of Africa online "A Day in the Life of Africa" Book website
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