Former Chairman and CEO of CNN and managing editor of Time magazine, Walter Isaacson's passion goes well beyond the news. Author of the New York Times bestseller Benjamin Franklin: An American Life, he analyzes the events that shaped American history and shows how their ripple effects continue to transform the world. Isaacson delivers unmatched expertise on current global events within the framework of history's valuable lessons. Now President and CEO of the Aspen Institute, an international education and leadership institute, Isaacson offers a wealth of insight culled from more than two decades of journalistic experience - both in the field and as head of two of the world's largest and most important news organizations. He is also author of Kissinger: A Biography and co-author of The Wise Men: Six Friends and the World They Made.

NOTE: Bio is as it appeared in the Forum program from October 4, 2004.