George Jonas Biography

Share |

GEORGE JONAS (Writer) was born and educated in Budapest, Hungary, and has made his home in Canada since 1956. He has published 13 books of fiction, non-fiction, essays, and poetry, including such national and international bestsellers as Vengeance (Lester & Orpen Dennys /Collins/Simon & Schuster, 1984, 23 editions) and By Persons Unknown (Macmillan/Grove Press, 1977, with Barbara Amiel, 6 editions). His novel Final Decree (Macmillan, 1981) has had five editions to date.

Jonas frequently writes about topics related to the Middle East, counter-terrorism, law, and aviation safety. In addition to many publications in Canada, he has contributed feature articles, reviews and opinion pieces to such U.S. and British newspapers, magazines, and wire services as the National Review, Saturday Review, Chicago Sun-Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Wall Street Journal, United Press International and The National Interest. His two books of selected journalism are Crocodiles in the Bathtub (Collins, 1987) and Politically Incorrect (Lester Publishing, 1991).

Currently Jonas writes a bi-weekly column for Canada's national newspaper, the National Post. His weekly column is in syndication for Southam News Service across Canada.

For 23 years, between 1962 and 1985, Jonas was a staff radio and TV producer for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. He has written, produced and directed over 200 dramas and docudramas, including the award-winning series The Scales of Justice.

Jonas' media awards include the Edgar Allan Poe Award for the Best Crime Non-Fiction Book (New York, 1978), two Nelly Awards for the Best Radio Program (Toronto, 1983 and 1986), the Gabriel Award for the Best Radio Entertainment Program in North America (San Antonio, Texas, 1985), a Gold Medal at the New York International Radio Festival (New York, 1986), three Periodical Distributors of Canada Author's Awards (Toronto, 1978 and 1985, and Ottawa, 1987), a National Magazine Award (Toronto, 1991), and two Gemini Awards for the Best TV Movie and for the Best Short Dramatic Program (Toronto, 1993).

He has won the Max Award twice (Toronto 1980 and 1990) for his moto-journalism. His additional nominations include the National Magazine Award (three times), the CBC Prix Anik (four times), the Cannes TV Festival Jury Prize, and the Best TV Documentary Drama at the Banff International TV Festival.

Jonas lives with his wife in Toronto. His hobbies are aviation and motorcycle racing.