BIOGRAPHY
Jack Sacco was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. His Italian-American heritage, through his father Joe Sacco, also plays a significant role in his identity and creative output. This is particularly evident in Where the Birds Never Sing, where he not only chronicles his father’s harrowing World War II experiences but also weaves in the cultural and familial context of growing up as the son of an immigrant in the American South.
Sacco is known for his works that blend historical narratives with personal storytelling. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering.
After graduating from Notre Dame, he worked at Boeing Aerospace in Seattle, Washington, contributing to projects tied to the U.S. space program during a pivotal era of technological advancement. This technical foundation contrasts with his later creative pursuits, showcasing his versatility. He later became a lead producer at a startup cable television network, significantly boosting its viewership.
Sacco gained prominence with his Amazon #1 best-selling book Where the Birds Never Sing, a nonfiction account of his father Joe Sacco’s experiences as an American soldier during World War II. The book was published by HarperCollins.
This work, which details his father’s emotional and epic journey from a farm in Alabama through key events such as the D-Day invasion and the liberation of Dachau, earned him the Alabama Library Association’s 2005 Author Award and a nomination for the Pulitzer Prize in Literature.
He is also an accomplished composer, having created an inspiring symphonic tribute based on Where the Birds Never Sing. His musical compositions are performed by top orchestras in venues around the globe.
Jack Sacco is in demand as an accomplished public speaker who lectures widely throughout the United States and abroad. His speaking engagements have taken him to New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Memphis, Miami, New Orleans, St. Louis, Boston, and Washington DC, to name a few. He has lectured at Yale University, the University of Notre Dame, USC, UCLA, the University of Texas, Texas Tech University, and Auburn University as well as other colleges and conferences throughout the nation.
Internationally, he has spoken in London, Vienna, and Rome. In addition, he was also chosen to give a special presentation before the Royal Families of Europe.
On a personal note, Sacco is known for his meticulous research. For Above the Treetops, he delved into William Faulkner’s life with the same rigor he applied to his father’s story, spending years gathering firsthand accounts and archival material. His third book, The Resurrection Sequence, ventures into speculative fiction, exploring themes of science, faith, and human potential—a nod to his engineering roots.
While less is publicized about his private life, he remains connected to the American South, often citing its landscapes and people as inspirations.
