Alistair MacLean, born on April 21, 1922, in Shettleston, Glasgow, Scotland, was a renowned Scottish novelist known for his thrilling thrillers and adventure stories. His father was a Minister in the Church of Scotland, and MacLean was one of four brothers. As a child, he grew up in Daviot, which is located 10 miles south of Inverness, and studied English as his second language, his mother tongue being Scottish Gaelic.
MacLean's writing career took off after he joined the Royal Navy in 1941 at the age of eighteen. His two and a half years aboard a cruiser provided the basis for his first novel, HMS Ulysses, a remarkable documentary novel about the war at sea. After the war, he earned an English Honors degree at Glasgow University and became a schoolmaster. In 1983, he was awarded a D. Litt. from the same university. MacLean is known for his 29 world bestsellers and is recognized as an outstanding writer in his genre.
MacLean's novels, including "The Guns of Navarone," "Ice Station Zebra," and "Where Eagles Dare," have been adapted into successful films. He wrote a total of 29 bestselling novels, which helped establish him as one of the most popular Scottish novelists of his time. Despite the popularity of his novels, MacLean chose not to include much sex or romance in his work, believing it would slow down the action. MacLean died in Munich, Germany, on February 2, 1987, at the age of 64.