Suzy Hansen

Suzy Hansen

Suzy Hansen was born on September 4th, 1977 and is currently 49 years old. Suzy Hansen was born in Wall Township, New Jersey, U.S.

Suzy Hansen is known for writing in the Non-Fiction genre.

Suzy Hansen is an American author whose book, Notes on a Foreign Country, was a finalist for the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction.

One of the book’s central ideas is that Americans can never truly “leave” America, no matter where they travel or live. Hansen means that the beliefs and assumptions shaped by an American upbringing often remain with them. She argues that these perspectives can prevent Americans from recognizing their country’s role as an imperial power.

At 29, Hansen moved to Turkey, where she spent a decade learning to see the world differently and question her own assumptions. This personal journey gives the book much of its emotional depth.

Hansen argues that America sees itself as a peacekeeper and a force for progress, modernization, and democracy. Yet she examines how this image conflicts with American involvement in violent regime changes, authoritarian rule, and torture, often justified as serving a greater good. In her view, failing to acknowledge these contradictions allows the country to continue causing harm abroad.

She also explores how people outside the United States view America. Their experiences can reveal a gap between the country’s stated ideals and its actions—a contradiction that Americans themselves may struggle to recognize.

Hansen’s argument goes beyond a simple division between good and evil. She portrays America as a country so attached to an image of itself that it struggles to understand its problems. Without recognizing those problems, she argues, meaningful change becomes difficult.

Despite her criticism, Hansen remains deeply connected to America. She recognizes how deeply the country has shaped her identity, even as her understanding of it changes. Her reflections encourage readers to question their assumptions and listen more closely to perspectives from beyond America’s borders.

Notes on a Foreign Country is a well-researched, thought-provoking exploration of American exceptionalism, white privilege, and the effects of American foreign policy. Through personal reflection and engaging storytelling, Hansen invites readers to reconsider America’s place in the world.

Suzy Hansen: Lists & Other Mentions

• Notes on a Foreign Country: GQ: The 50 Best Books of Literary Journalism Selection in 2021.

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1. Doris Kearns Goodwin, author of: Team of Rivals.
2. Erik Larson, author of: The Devil in the White City.
3. Bill Bryson, author of the Bill Bryson Travel Books.
4. Haruki Murakami, author of: 1Q84.
5. Alice Sebold, author of: The Lovely Bones.
6. Elizabeth Gilbert, author of: Eat, Pray, Love.
7. David Sedaris, author of: Me Talk Pretty One Day.
8. Peter Heller, author of: The Dog Stars.
9. Bill O'Reilly, author of the Killing Series.
10. Michelle Obama, author of: Becoming.

Suzy Hansen: F.A.Q