William Finnegan
William Finnegan is an American journalist and staff writer for The New Yorker, known for his long-form reporting on global politics, conflict, and social justice. He gained widespread acclaim for his memoir Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life, which won the Pulitzer Prize. The book recounts his life as a devoted surfer, blending travel writing, cultural observation, and introspective narrative. Finnegan’s writing combines literary elegance with journalistic depth, offering rich insights into both his inner world and the larger forces shaping societies. His work reflects a lifelong curiosity, adventurous spirit, and profound engagement with the complexities of the human condition.
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, Barbarian Days is a memoir chronicling journalist William Finnegan’s lifelong devotion to surfing. Beginning in 1960s California and Hawaii, the narrative follows his global search for the perfect wave—from the South Pacific to Africa and beyond. More than a surfing memoir, it’s a story of obsession, personal growth, and cultural observation. Finnegan reflects on friendship, risk, nature, and the philosophical undercurrents of surfing. His lyrical, introspective writing elevates the sport to art and meditation, making the book compelling even to readers unfamiliar with the ocean’s pull.