Tom Folsom
Encyclopedia
Tom Folsom is a writer living in New York
. He is best known as the author of a bestselling biography of Crazy Joe Gallo, The Mad Ones: Crazy Joe Gallo and the Revolution at the Edge of the Underworld. On May 14, 2010, it was announced that the subject of Folsom's upcoming book will be the Dennis Hopper
biography, Hopper: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream, published by the E.P. Dutton imprint of the Penguin Group
, charting the actor's wide-ranging career and place in American popular culture in art, music, photography and film. The subtitle is a direct reference to Hunter S. Thompson
's book Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
in 1996 with a degree in journalism. He also attended New York University
.
. Since then, Harvey Weinstein
has purchased the film rights to his book. In 2009 the audio book of The Mad Ones was released. Folsom, according to The New York Times
, “deftly invokes a wacky world and the kind of characters celebrated by Jack Kerouac,” The New York Times
, May 8, 2009. The title comes from the Jack Kerouac
quote, “The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn.” He is the co-author of a biography of drug-kingpin Leroy Barnes
, Mr. Untouchable: The Rise, Fall and Resurrection of Heroin's Teflon Don, written with its subject in Witness Protection
.
, on A&E
and Showtime.
He has also appeared on The Daily Show
and NPR
's Fresh Air
.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. He is best known as the author of a bestselling biography of Crazy Joe Gallo, The Mad Ones: Crazy Joe Gallo and the Revolution at the Edge of the Underworld. On May 14, 2010, it was announced that the subject of Folsom's upcoming book will be the Dennis Hopper
Dennis Hopper
Dennis Lee Hopper was an American actor, filmmaker and artist. As a young man, Hopper became interested in acting and eventually became a student of the Actors' Studio. He made his first television appearance in 1954 and appeared in two films featuring James Dean, Rebel Without a Cause and Giant...
biography, Hopper: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream, published by the E.P. Dutton imprint of the Penguin Group
Penguin Group
The Penguin Group is a trade book publisher, the largest in the world , having overtaken Random House in 2009. The Penguin Group is the name of the incorporated division of parent Pearson PLC that oversees these publishing operations...
, charting the actor's wide-ranging career and place in American popular culture in art, music, photography and film. The subtitle is a direct reference to Hunter S. Thompson
Hunter S. Thompson
Hunter Stockton Thompson was an American journalist and author who wrote The Rum Diary , Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72 .He is credited as the creator of Gonzo journalism, a style of reporting where reporters involve themselves in the action to...
's book Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
Background and education
Folsom graduated from the University of GeorgiaUniversity of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
in 1996 with a degree in journalism. He also attended New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
.
Books
Folsom's book, The Mad Ones, was published by Weinstein Books on May 5, 2009 and became a New York Times bestsellerBestseller
A bestseller is a book that is identified as extremely popular by its inclusion on lists of currently top selling titles that are based on publishing industry and book trade figures and published by newspapers, magazines, or bookstore chains. Some lists are broken down into classifications and...
. Since then, Harvey Weinstein
Harvey Weinstein
Harvey Weinstein, CBE is an American film producer and movie studio chairman. He is best known as co-founder of Miramax Films. He and his brother Bob have been co-chairmen of The Weinstein Company, their film production company, since 2005...
has purchased the film rights to his book. In 2009 the audio book of The Mad Ones was released. Folsom, according to The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
, “deftly invokes a wacky world and the kind of characters celebrated by Jack Kerouac,” The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
, May 8, 2009. The title comes from the Jack Kerouac
Jack Kerouac
Jean-Louis "Jack" Lebris de Kerouac was an American novelist and poet. He is considered a literary iconoclast and, alongside William S. Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg, a pioneer of the Beat Generation. Kerouac is recognized for his spontaneous method of writing, covering topics such as Catholic...
quote, “The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn.” He is the co-author of a biography of drug-kingpin Leroy Barnes
Leroy Barnes
Leroy Nicholas "Nicky" Barnes is a government informant, former drug lord and crime boss, who led the notorious African-American criminal organization known as The Council, which controlled the heroin trade in Harlem, New York during the 1970s. In 2007 he released a book, “Mr...
, Mr. Untouchable: The Rise, Fall and Resurrection of Heroin's Teflon Don, written with its subject in Witness Protection
Witness protection
Witness protection is protection of a threatened witness or any person involved in the justice system, including defendants and other clients, before, during and after a trial, usually by police...
.
Journalism
His documentaries have appeared at SundanceSundance
Sundance Resort is a ski resort located northeast of Provo, Utah, spanning over on the slopes of Mount Timpanogos in Utah's Wasatch Range. Snow skiing began on the site in 1944...
, on A&E
A&E Network
The A&E Network is a United States-based cable and satellite television network with headquarters in New York City and offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, London, Los Angeles and Stamford. A&E also airs in Canada and Latin America. Initially named the Arts & Entertainment Network, A&E launched...
and Showtime.
He has also appeared on The Daily Show
The Daily Show
The Daily Show , is an American late night satirical television program airing each Monday through Thursday on Comedy Central. The half-hour long show premiered on July 21, 1996, and was hosted by Craig Kilborn until December 1998...
and NPR
NPR
NPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
's Fresh Air
Fresh Air
Fresh Air is an American radio talk show broadcast on National Public Radio stations across the United States. The show is produced by WHYY-FM in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Its longtime host is Terry Gross. , the show was syndicated to 450 stations and claimed 4.5 million listeners. The show...
.
External links
- Tom Folsom's home page
- Tom Folsom on Twitter
- Folsom's Hopper: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream
- Tours, Tycoons and Crazy Joe - New York Times
- Jon Stewart interview with Folsom on The Daily Show
- Tom Folsom on NPR
- Tom Folsom on WNYC's "The Leonard Lopate Show" (August 27, 2009)
- Existential Wiseguy Loved Poetry - Associated Press Review
- Women's Wear Daily
- http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2009/06/j-crew.htmlVanity Fair, Article on book party with reading by actor Steve BuscemiSteve BuscemiSteven Vincent "Steve" Buscemi is an American actor, writer and film director. An associate member of the renowned experimental theater company The Wooster Group, Buscemi has starred and supported in successful Hollywood and indie films including New York Stories, Mystery Train, Reservoir Dogs,...
] - BlackBook Magazine, Interview
- The Mad Ones Movie - New York Times