Paul Tough

Author, Speaker, Journalist

Paul Tough is the author, most recently, of The Inequality Machine: How College Divides Us (previously The Years That Matter Most), published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. His three previous books include the best-selling How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character. He is a contributing writer to the New York Times Magazine and a speaker on various topics including education, poverty, parenting, and politics.  Learn More >

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Book cover

Latest Book

The Inequality Machine: How College Divides Us

A devastating examination of the glaring injustices of higher education, including unfair admissions tests, entrenched racial barriers, and crushing student debt. Now updated and expanded for the pandemic era, with a new afterword by the author.

Originally published as The Years That Matter Most

Book a Speech

Paul speaks on a number of topics including education, parenting, equity, and student success. For questions about lectures and speaking engagements, please contact Charles Yao, Director of Speakers at the Lavin Agency, at info@thelavinagency.com, or visit Paul’s Lavin Agency speaker page.