James Grady, an American author, is renowned for his spy thriller and suspense novels. He is best known for his Condor series, which includes the popular novel "Six Days of the Condor." Grady's work has not only been limited to literature, as he has also made significant contributions to the film and television industries. His novel "Six Days of the Condor" was adapted into a film titled "Three Days of the Condor," featuring Robert Redford in the lead role.\n \n Grady was born on April 30, 1949, in Shelby, Montana, a small town located in a region known for its tough oil, railroad, and farming culture. Situated approximately 60 miles east of the Rocky Mountains, Shelby is a mere half-hour drive south of the Canadian border. Growing up in this area, Grady was exposed to a wide range of experiences that would later influence his writing. His parents managed movie theaters, and his mother was a country librarian, which allowed him to develop a love for books and movies at a young age. As a high school student, Grady played football and attended public schools while also working various jobs, including grave digging, rock picking, farming, and working as a motion picture projectionist.
Grady pursued a degree in Journalism from the University of Montana School of Journalism, from which he graduated in 1974. During his time in college, he worked as a staff member for United States Senator Lee Metcalf of Montana. After graduation, Grady went on to become an investigative journalist for the renowned muckraker Jack Anderson from 1974 to 1978. Grady has written under the pseudonyms James Dalton and Brit Shelby. In the thirty-eight years since "Six Days of the Condor" was published, he has written nearly a dozen more novels, establishing himself as a longtime author of thrillers, police procedural, and espionage novels. Grady currently resides in Washington D.C. with his wife and has two children.