Craig A. Doherty (1951–) Biography

Born 1951, in Boston, MA; Education: Attended University of New Mexico, 1970–73; University of Massachusetts, B.A., 1979.

Addresses

Agent—c/o Author Mail, Facts on File, Inc., 123 W. 31st St., New York, NY 10001.

Career

Berlin High School, Berlin, NH, English teacher, 1987–. Writer.

Writings

COAUTHOR; WITH WIFE, KATHERINE M. DOHERTY

The Apaches and Navajos, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1989.

The Iroquois, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1989.

Benazir Bhutto, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1990.

Arnold Schwarzenegger: Larger than Life, Walker (New York, NY), 1993.

The Zunis, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1993.

King Richard the Lionhearted and the Crusades in World History ("World History" series), Enslow (Berkeley Heights, NJ), 2002.

Northeast Indians, Facts on File (New York, NY), 2006.

"NATIVE AMERICAN PEOPLE" SERIES; WITH KATHERINE M. DOHERTY

The Cahuilla, Rourke (Vero Beach, FL), 1994.

The Chickasaw, Rourke (Vero Beach, FL), 1994.

The Crow, Rourke (Vero Beach, FL), 1994.

The Huron, Rourke (Vero Beach, FL), 1994.

The Narragansett, Rourke (Vero Beach, FL), 1994.

The Ute, Rourke (Vero Beach, FL), 1994.

"BUILDING AMERICA" SERIES; WITH KATHERINE M. DOHERTY

The Gateway Arch, Blackbirch Press (Woodbridge, CT), 1995.

The Golden Gate Bridge, Blackbirch Press (Woodbridge, CT), 1995.

The Hoover Dam, Blackbirch Press (Woodbridge, CT), 1995.

Mount Rushmore, Blackbirch Press (Woodbridge, CT), 1995.

The Sears Tower, Blackbirch Press (Woodbridge, CT), 1995.

The Washington Monument, Blackbirch Press (Woodbridge, CT), 1995.

The Statue of Liberty, Blackbirch Press (Woodbridge, CT), 1996.

The Seattle Space Needle, Blackbirch Press (Woodbridge, CT), 1997.

The Houston Astrodome, Blackbirch Press (Woodbridge, CT), 1997.

The Erie Canal, Blackbirch Press (Woodbridge, CT), 1997.

The Empire State Building, Blackbirch Press (Woodbridge, CT), 1997.

The Alaska Pipeline, Blackbirch Press (Woodbridge, CT), 1998.

"THIRTEEN COLONIES" SERIES; WITH KATHERINE M. DOHERTY

Virginia, Facts on File (New York, NY), 2005.

Rhode Island, Facts on File (New York, NY), 2005.

Pennsylvania, Facts on File (New York, NY), 2005.

North Carolina, Facts on File (New York, NY), 2005.

New York, Facts on File (New York, NY), 2005.

Delaware, Facts on File (New York, NY), 2005.

New Jersey, Facts on File (New York, NY), 2005.

New Hampshire, Facts on File (New York, NY), 2005.

Maryland, Facts on File (New York, NY), 2005.

South Carolina, Facts on File (New York, NY), 2005.

Massachusetts, Facts on File (New York, NY), 2006.

Connecticut, Facts on File (New York, NY), 2006.

Georgia, Facts on File (New York, NY), 2006.

Sidelights

Craig A. Doherty has joined with his wife, Katherine M. Doherty, to co-author numerous nonfiction books for young students, their topics ranging from Native American cultures to U.S. history to the construction of America's architectural landmarks. Most of the Dohertys' books, which include volumes in the "Thirteen Colonies," "Building America," and "Native American People" series, assemble information for school report writers and others interested in the topics covered. Praising their contributions to the "Thirteen Colonies" series published by Facts on File, Linda Beck noted in School Library Journal that the Dohertys have created thorough, excellent-quality titles" that clearly present the history of the original colonies from the American Revolution through the Constitutional Convention held in 1787.

The Dohertys—Craig worked as an English teacher and Katherine worked as a librarian—began their writing career in 1989 with two books that profile Native American groups: The Apaches and Navajos and The Iroquois. Each book includes information about the tribes' history, religion, social organizations, crafts, daily life, and interaction with European colonists. Ilene Cooper, writing in Booklist, found the books "well-written with attractive visuals," although a Kirkus Reviews contributor wrote that the reading level is "relatively difficult" and requires readers to have some background in the subject matter.

The Dohertys have also collaborated on biographies of contemporary and historic figures. Benazir Bhutto, published in 1990, profiles the first woman to be elected prime minister of a Muslim nation; she was sworn in as the leader of Pakistan in 1988 and ruled the country in-Written with wife, Katherine M. Doherty, Mount Rushmore describes the creation of one of the most monumental memorial landmarks in the United States.termittently until 1999. The book includes background on the history of Pakistan, and then follows Bhutto through her education at Harvard and Oxford universities, her imprisonment and exile for her political views, and her first years as prime minister. In a review for School Library Journal, Ellen D. Warwick stated that the authors "manage to make sense of a welter of political events" and provide a "clear, nuanced, highly readable study of an appealing subject."

In Arnold Schwarzenegger: Larger than Life the Dohertys profile the Austrian-born bodybuilder and future "governator" through his successful career as the star of Hollywood action films. Published in 1993, the book begins with Schwarzenegger's strict upbringing in Austria, then examines his successful bodybuilding and film careers in detail. It also covers his marriage to journalist Maria Shriver and his work on behalf of Special Olympics and children's fitness. A writer for Kirkus Reviews called the book "a portrait of a giant with a sense of purpose, a heart of gold, and an impish sense of humor." A giant from another time is the subject of King Richard the Lionhearted and the Crusades in World History, which profiles the king who ruled Britain from 1189 to 1199 and led the successful yet brutal Third Crusade to the Holy Land. Praising the Dohertys' ability to "compress … a large portion of history into a brief, accessible work," School Library Journal contributor Laura Reed also cited the book for revealing Richard's charisma as well as his harsh determination.

In addition, the Dohertys have produced six books describing the history, social structure, and customs of various groups for the "Native American People" series; a series profiling each of the original thirteen American colonies; and a dozen books devoted to the construction of well-known U.S. historic and tourist sites, collected as the "Building America" series. With subjects ranging from the Erie Canal and Mount Rush-more to the Houston Astrodome and the Seattle Space Needle, the "Building America" books reveal the planning, funding, engineering, and history of America's most beloved landmarks. From the controversy surrounding the acquisition of land for Mount Rushmore from the Sioux people to the challenges of maintaining a turf environment inside the Houston Astrodome and keeping windows clean in the Sears Tower, the books were praised as "useful for school reports" by Booklist contributor Carolyn Phelan, while Susan Dove Lempke noted in the same periodical that series installment The Houston Astrodome "will attract architecture and sports fans alike."