Elliot Ackerman is a highly acclaimed author, renowned for his works in fiction, contemporary, and historical fiction. Born in Los Angeles on April 12, 1980, Ackerman's family moved around during his childhood, living in London when he was nine and returning to Washington, DC when he was fifteen. Ackerman's passion for history and literature led him to study these subjects at Tufts University, where he graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa in 2003. He furthered his education by earning a master's degree in International Affairs from the Fletcher Law & Diplomacy School.
Prior to his writing career, Ackerman served in the Marine Corps of the United States military for eight years as a special operations and infantry officer. His military career took him on multiple duty tours in the Middle East and Southwest Asia, where he operated as a combat advisor for the Afghan commando battalion responsible for capturing senior Taliban leadership. Ackerman's military service earned him numerous accolades, including the Silver Star, the Bronze Star for Valor, and the Purple Heart.
As a successful author, Ackerman has written several standalone books and has been recognized for his work with multiple nominations for prestigious awards such as the National Book Award, the Andrew Carnegie Medal in both fiction and nonfiction, and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize. His writing has also been featured in The Atlantic, and he divides his time between New York City and Washington, D.C. Ackerman's experiences in the military have greatly influenced his writing, as evidenced by his memoir "The Fifth Act: America’s End in Afghanistan," and his novels "Waiting for Eden," "Dark at the Crossing," and "Green on Blue."