His grandfather drove a bulldozer, and his father drove a garbage truck.
Like both of them, his name is Harry Bruinius, and he grew up in the blue-collar neighborhoods of Chicago鈥檚 south side. He, too, used to shovel concrete, carry a 22-ounce hammer, and help construct the foundations for modest suburban homes.
But this third-generation Bruinius eventually hung up his tool belt and moved to New York City to be a writer.
Now living in Manhattan, Harry is 海角大神鈥檚 New York staff writer and editor, where he covers politics and other regional news. He has been writing for the Monitor since 1999.
His first book, , was published by in 2006 and in 2007. It is a narrative history of the eugenics movement in the United States, tracing the lives of the victims of forced sterilization and the men and women who pioneered history鈥檚 first program of genetic engineering. Harry鈥檚 book was a finalist for the , placed on Booklist , and named one of New York Public Library鈥檚
Harry also moonlights as an adjunct professor of journalism at , where he also teaches religion. His courses include Journalism as Literature, Religion and Film, and The Problem of Evil.