Grew up in the New York City suburbs, in a house of 25,000 used books, graduated from Columbia College, have worked for three newspapers, and authored two books. Much of my writing is closely tied to my love of history.  I also seek to provide readers with a sense of place about where they live, work or travel. I like backroads and forgotten places, but I also find satisfaction in writing about dynamic change in cities and suburbs. My freelance writing - since I took a buyout from the Washington Post in January 2004 - has flowed naturally from these interests.