Jon Halliday is an internationally acclaimed writer and historian whose work has been a standout in the field of political biography for more than four decades. He is best known for his groundbreaking biographies, including Mao: The Unknown Story, which he co-wrote with his wife, historian Jung Chang.

Born in Dublin, Halliday was educated at the University of Bristol and London School of Economics. After receiving his doctorate degree in political science, he became a professor at various universities around the world, including the University of London, King's College London, and the University of North London.

Halliday's work is characterized by its rigor and intellectual depth, as well as his talent for bringing complex historical events to life through vivid storytelling. His Pulitzer-Prize nominated biography of Mao Zedong, The Unknown Story, has been translated into 40 languages, marking it as one of the most-read political biographies in the world.

In addition to his numerous academic and literary accomplishments, Jon Halliday has also been a contributing editor for The Guardian, The Independent, The Times, and The Financial Times. He has also written for The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The New Statesman.

As an expert on contemporary Asian history and politics, Jon Halliday has made numerous appearances on major television networks around the world. He has lectured at prestigious universities including Harvard, Cambridge, Princeton, Berkeley, and Chicago.

Dedicated to fostering an informed public opinion, Jon Halliday continues to write and teach a new generation of political scientists and historians. His body of work serves as a testament to his commitment to expanding perceptions of the world we live in today, while fueling further discussions on the key issues of our times.