John Jakes was born in Chicago, Illinois, on March 31, 1932. His parents fostered a love of the library in him and his association with books has followed him throughout his life. Jakes has enjoyed a long and distinguished writing career but has worked hard for his success. He is the prolific author of over seventy books and over two hundred short stories in such diverse categories as mystery and suspense, science fiction, the western, and children's literature. He is, however, best known for his best-selling historical fiction and intergenerational family sagas. He was so prolific in the mid-to late twentieth century that one rumor stated that John Jakes was actually the pen name for a group of writers, historical researchers, and publishers. His works have sold millions of copies each and several have had the distinction of being on the New York Times Bestseller List...