American fiction novelist Dan Brown has revolutionized the thriller
fiction genre with groundbreaking novels, such as The Da Vinci Code and
Angels & Demons. His books, which often explore the themes of
cryptography, conspiracy theories, and Christianity, have sold over 80
million copies as of 2009. Born and raised in Exeter, New Hampshire,
Dan Brown spent a good portion of his childhood engaged in crossword
puzzles and anagrams. Adding to his interest in treasure hunts, a theme
heavily reflected in his books, Dan Brown and his siblings would often
spend their Christmases and birthdays following intricate maps designed
by their father to uncover gifts hidden throughout their parents’
house. Graduating from Amherst College in 1986, Dan Brown’s first
novel, a techno-thriller titled Digital Fortress, was published in
1998. Dan Brown followed up Digital Fortress with Deception Point,
Angels & Demons, The Da Vinci Code, and The Lost Symbol.
Like Dan Brown, British author Ken Follett has made a significant name
for himself writing thriller novels, four of which have made it to the
number one ranking on the New York Times Best Seller list. The author
of influential works like The Key to Rebecca, Lie Down with Lions,
Triple, and World Without End, Ken Follett has sold more than 100
million copies of his 30 different thriller and historical novels.
Writer Ken Follett has led a varied career, working as a newspaper
reporter for the Evening News and as a deputy managing director for
London-based Everest Books before penning his breakout novel, Eye of
the Needle. Unlike Dan Brown and Ken Follett, journalist and writer
David Halberstam focused largely on non-fiction during his lifetime,
receiving just as much attention as Brown and Follett for his varied
works. An American Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, David
Halberstam’s writings have centered on politics, media, American
culture, the Civil Rights Movement, business, sports journalism, and
other topics. Reporting substantially on the Vietnam War, David
Halberstam received the Pulitzer Prize in 1964 for his war coverage.
Turning to sports writing at the end of his career, David Halberstam
chronicled the rivalry between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees
in Summer of ’49, portrayed the life of Michael Jordan in Playing for
Keeps, and investigated the 1964 World Series in October 1964. In
addition, David Halberstam generously donated his time to mentoring
other authors.