Norman Eisen

About the Author

Norman Eisen is a distinguished author, lawyer, and diplomat whose multifaceted career has spanned the worlds of literature, law, and public service. Born in the United States, Eisen served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic from 2011 to 2014, where his deep interest in Central European history was profoundly shaped by personal experiences. A graduate of Brown University and Harvard Law School, he has held key roles in the Obama administration, including as White House ethics czar and special counsel for ethics and government reform. Eisen's writing draws on his unique vantage points to explore themes of democracy, justice, and historical upheaval. His acclaimed book, The Last Palace: Europe's Turbulent Century in Five Lives and One Legendary House, vividly chronicles the dramatic history of Prague's Petřín Hill through the lives of five inhabitants, from the interwar era to the present day, blending meticulous research with engaging narrative to illuminate the continent's turbulent past.