Michael Esslinger

Michael Esslinger is a historical researcher and best-selling author; his work has also appeared in several film and television documentaries, including segments on the Discovery, National Geographic, Travel and History Channels. Escaping Alcatraz (co-written with David Widner) was the winning title of the 2018 International Book Awards in the True Crime category. From the elusive crew of Apollo 11 to the prisoners of Alcatraz, he has interviewed icons and others who have shaped history and continues to write on subjects that explore the spectrum of the human experience. His books Alcatraz: The History of the Penitentiary Years, Escaping Alcatraz, and Letters from Alcatraz continue as best-selling references chronicling the island’s rich historical past. Additionally, he is the co-author of the movie memoir: I Want It Now! A Memoir of Life on the Set of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, a magical memoir written with Julie Dawn Cole, the original “Veruca Salt” in the classic motion picture starring Gene Wilder. Current projects include a comprehensive history of the Apollo program, documenting mankind’s epic journey to the moon, and based on first person interviews with the Apollo Astronauts, including Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins, Alan Shepard, James Lovell, Pete Conrad, Dick Gordon, Gene Cernan and many others. His latest books include James Whitey Bulger: The Last Interviews, a book based on interviews between Bulger and Esslinger conducted over a span of over seven years, and Escaping Alcatraz: The Untold Story of the Greatest Prison Break in American History; a new detailed account of the famed 1962 Frank Morris and Anglin Brothers escape. Visit www.HistoryArchive.com for more information on current and future works.