Writing Awards and Honors
Finalist, Banff Book Competition.
Winner, Eric Hoffer and Writers Notes Award.
Partner, President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
Director, Literary Board of the American Alpine Club.
Former Board member, American Alpine Club.
Marketing and Communications Committee member, Mohonk Preserve
(NY State’s largest nonprofit park).
National book tour sponsored by Patagonia.
Contributing writer, The Choate Rosemary Hall Bulletin.
Profiles and interviews in numerous leading publications,
including the front page of the Boston Globe.
Panelist at numerous writing and financial services conferences.
Work has been selected for several literary and climbing anthologies.
Acclaim for Susan's book, Into the Unknown
“Thanks for writing this great book!” Yvon Chouinard, Founder of Patagonia
“An exhilarating read about an exhilarating man.” Sports Illustrated writer, Robert Boyle
“Brilliant, lusty, full of life and passion!” Climbing Magazine
"Some of the best mountain writing I have ever read." Matt Samet, Climbing Magazine Editor
“Extraordinary! A poetic, beautifully written account of an extraordinary life….Moving and touching. Hats off to a great piece of writing!” Rock and Ice Magazine
“Bravo! Schwartz does an excellent job of portraying a life that could have been scripted by Hollywood.” James M. Clash, Adventurer columnist, Forbes Magazine
“Hans Kraus lived the life most of us dream of. Few manage to balance, let alone excel at, both a professional and recreational career the way Kraus did. He was a visionary and bold climber on the weekends and a brilliant back doctor during the week. In both areas, Kraus relied on good sense and experience over high tech equipment. Moreover, Kraus was a man of principles, humility, and loyalty who never let his fame within the climbing, medical, or p0olitical circles get to his head. His rich life makes for a gripping and inspirational story…Schwartz’s achievement is nearly as remarkable as the life of Hans Kraus. His was a story that had to be told, and Susan E.B. Schwartz has done so in a most graceful way.” The American Alpine Club
“Gripping and exciting! Part biography, part adventure story, part medical mystery that centers around the almost mythic character of Hans Kraus. Schwartz writes with great warmth, insight and understanding. I had a hard time putting the book down.” the New Paltz Times
“Fascinating. I kept turning the pages. This story has it all—adventure, death in the mountains, universal father-son conflict, celebrities, never before revealed Kennedy secrets, a charismatic and complex subject. Schwartz is a born story teller who weaves it all together in a darn good read.” American Alpine Club, past President, James P. McCarthy
“Terrific! A fascinating and important medical story, but also an exciting read. Kraus was one of the great, unheralded medical pioneers of the 20th century, and Schwartz’s book shines a deserved light on his breakthrough contributions. On top of that, what a life he led! Truly remarkable!” Norman Marcus, MD, past-President, American Academy of Pain Medicine; Director, Associate Clinical Professor, NYU School of Medicine
“A gripping story of idealism, adventure, and one man's indomitable spirit. It is inspiring to read about Hans Kraus, who was resolved that a single man could make a big difference.” Norbu Tenzing Norgay, son of Tenzing Norgay, who summitted Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary
“Passion and grandeur . . . Schwartz has taken a climbing story and elevated it to a higher plane . . . a most extraordinary life, told in the most compelling way.” Robert Mads Anderson, Everest Guide and author of Seven Summits Solo and To Everest Via Antarctica
“Heroic!" the Poughkeepsie Journal
Acclaim for the book's hero, Hans Kraus
“The Father of U.S. Sports Medicine” the New York Times.
“Anyone who was anyone went to Kraus.” Journalist, Mike Wallace.
“Hans Kraus has always been a hero of mine.” Yvon Chouinard, legendary climber, Patagonia founder.
“A real friend.” Katharine Hepburn.
“Even though I have never met Hans Kraus, I feel as though I know him. Every climber at the Gunks knows Hans.” Contemporary Shawangunks rock climber, Arthur Sulzberger, Jr.
“Cojones so large, he needed a bag to carry them in.” James P. McCarthy, American Alpine Club past president.
“One of the great, unsung medical pioneers of the 20th century. So ahead of his time, it will take fifty years for others to catch up.” JFK’s White House endocrinologist, Eugene Cohen, MD.
“I wish I could have known you years ago.” John F. Kennedy to Hans Kraus in 1962, overheard by personal secretary, Evelyn Lincoln.
“You will always remain on the top of the list by those who dearly loved and worked with the President.” JFK’s Chief White House doctor, George Burkley, MD, to Hans Kraus.
“An aura of energy about the man...Sizzle and spunk, exuberance, confidence, great physical strength, high-voltage enthusiasm, bursting vitality.” Sports Illustrated
“(Kraus’ routes) represent great moments in American climbing. They are proud, committing and groundbreaking.” Rock and Ice Magazine