Thomas Frank

Thomas Frank
Frank at the 2010 Texas Book Festival
Born	Thomas Carr Frank (1965-03-21) March 21, 1965 (age 52) Kansas City, Missouri, United States of America
Nationality	US
Alma mater	University of Kansas, University of Virginia, University of Chicago
Occupation	Political analyst, columnist, historian, journalist
Known for	Co-founder of The Baffler, culture war author
Notable work	What's the Matter with Kansas?

Thomas Carr Frank (born March 21, 1965) is an American political analyst, historian, journalist, and columnist for Harper's Magazine. He wrote "The Tilting Yard" column in the Wall Street Journal from 2008 to 2010, and he co-founded and edited The Baffler. He has written several books, most notably What's the Matter with Kansas? (2004).

Frank is a historian of culture and ideas. He analyzes trends in American electoral politics and propaganda, advertising, popular culture, mainstream journalism, and economics. His topics include the rhetoric and impact of culture wars in American political life and the relationship between politics and culture in the United States.

Frank started his political journey as a College Republican, but he has come to be highly critical of conservatism, especially the presidency of George W. Bush. Frank summarized the thesis of his book The Wrecking Crew: How Conservatives Rule as "Bad government is the natural product of rule by those who believe government is bad."

Frank's other writings include essays for Harper's Magazine, Le Monde diplomatique, Bookforum, and the Financial Times. His book What's the Matter with Kansas?, published in 2004, earned him nationwide and international recognition.

Since December 2010, Frank has written the monthly "Easy Chair" column for Harper's Magazine, alternating bi-monthly with Rebecca Solnit.