Allen J. Wiener is a cultural historian and author whose work explores the unexpected intersections of pop culture, politics, and untold stories of American legends. His books include David Crockett in Texas: His Search for New Land, Channeling Elvis: How Television Saved the King of Rock ’n’ Roll, and The Beatles: The Ultimate Recording Guide.

He is also the co-author of David Crockett in Congress: The Rise and Fall of the Poor Man’s Friend, winner of the 2010 Independent Publishers Award for Regional Non-Fiction, and Music of the Alamo.

His writing has appeared in The Washington Post, People, Nashville Tennessean, American History, Goldmine, Discoveries, and numerous history publications, including Western Clippings, The Alamo Studies Review, The Alamo Journal, and The Crockett Chronicle. A former voting member of The Recording Academy, he’s also written liner notes for multiple CD releases.

Allen is primarily known for his original interviews and deep-dive research that have redefined public understanding of cultural icons. “I think I’ve given readers a new look at Elvis,” he says, “through interviews with those closest to him and hours of unseen footage that show just how pivotal television was to his legacy.”

On Crockett, he says, “We reclaimed the real man behind the myth. He wasn’t a clueless frontiersman. He was a savvy political figure who stood for the poor, even when it cost him everything.”

Originally from New Jersey, Allen lives and writes in Florida.