Melissa Rossi (1965-), a self described Armchair Diplomat, is an accomplished American author and journalist whose works traverse all ground from American politics to international geopolitical situations. In addition to her books, Rossi's work has been published in Newsweek, MSNBC, George, Newsday, Esquire, the New York Observer and National Geographic Traveler, where she wrote a regular column. She frequently utilizes biting humor, wit and detail oriented setting in her writing to offer her own brand of insight and commentary into often complex subject matter.

"Born in Dayton, Ohio, Melissa Rossi's first words were, "Get me outta here!" She's been moving around since she was 17 — living in Seattle, Portland and assorted other parts of the Pacific Northwest as well as in New York, Vermont, and Florida (let's not talk about Iowa and Kentucky). After writing a book about Courtney Love (Courtney Love: Queen of Noise), which Courtney didn't like, Rossi decided to become a world traveler, and has visited most European countries. She has also lived in assorted parts of Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium. Fluent in "Spitalnishsian" — an Italian, Spanish blend with a dash of Russian thrown in — Rossi has written for such publications as National Geographic Traveler, Newsweek, MSNBC and George, and is the author of What Every American Should Know about the Rest of the World (Plume/Penguin, 2003). A chronic sufferer of "Urban Deficit Disorder" — she can't focus on one city for long — Rossi probably will never settle down long enough to call one place her home. " from Roff Potts Vagabonding - See full interview