Nelson DeMille
Novelist
Known alternately by the pen names of Brad Matthews, Jack Cannon, and Kurt Ladner, this popular novelist penned such thrillers as The Charm School and Word of Honor. His popular series include the John Corey, John Sutter, and Joe Ryker books.
After graduating from Hofstra University in New York, he fought in the Vietnam War as a lieutenant in the United States Army.
He qualified for and joined the Mensa High IQ society.
He grew up in Queens, New York, and set many of his novels on nearby Long Island.
His 1992 novel The General's Daughter was adapted into a 1999 film starring John Travolta.