Nelson DeMille

Acclaimed Best Selling Author, Vietnam Veteran, Humanitarian

Nelson DeMille is the prolific author of 21 novels, including 16 best sellers.

He was born to a Canadian father and an American mother in New York City and moved as a child with his parents to Long Island, New York. He graduated from Elmont Memorial High School, where he played football and ran track.

DeMille spent three years at Hofstra University, then joined the Army where he attended Officer Candidate School and was commissioned a Lieutenant in the United States Army (1966-69). He saw action in Vietnam as an infantry platoon leader with the First Cavalry Division and was decorated with the Bronze Star, Air Medal, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, and was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge. DeMille is a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, and Amis des Veterans Americains.

After his discharge, DeMille returned to Hofstra University where he received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History. He has three children, Lauren, Alexander, and James, and resides on Long Island.

DeMille’s first major novel was By the Rivers of Babylon, published in 1978, and is still in print as are all his succeeding novels. He is on the board of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and on honorary boards of several other institutions. DeMille is a member of American Mensa, The Authors Guild, and is past president of the Mystery Writers of America. He is also a member of International Thriller Writers and was chosen as ThrillerMaster of the Year 2015. He holds three honorary doctorates: Doctor of Humane Letters from Hofstra University, Doctor of Literature from Long Island University, and Doctor of Humane Letters from Dowling College.

Nelson DeMille is the author of: By the Rivers of Babylon, The Talbot Odyssey, Word of Honor, The Charm School, The Gold Coast, The General’s Daughter, Spencerville, Plum Island, The Lion’s Game, Up Country, Night Fall, Wild Fire, The Gate House, The Lion, The Panther, The Quest, Radiant Angel, The Cuban Affair, and The Deserter, co-authored with his son Alex. He also co-authored Mayday with Thomas Block and has contributed short stories to anthologies as well as articles and book reviews to magazines and newspapers, including The New York Times and Newsday.

Nelson DeMille

Acclaimed Best Selling Author, Vietnam Veteran, Humanitarian