Leslie Waller
Leslie Waller (1923-2021) was a prolific American author and journalist known for his contributions to the literary world, particularly in the genres of political thrillers and novels exploring crime and corruption. Born in Chicago, Waller served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II before pursuing an education at the University of Chicago and Columbia University, where he earned degrees in American Literature. His writing career began in 1944 with the publication of his first novel, *Three Day Pass*, and he went on to produce over fifty novels and nonfiction works, often under various pseudonyms, including C. S. Cody and Patrick Mann. Notably, Waller’s works include bestsellers such as *Embassy*, which centers on a terrorist plot, and the historical novel *Blood and Dreams*. His storytelling often intertwined personal narratives with broader themes of power and societal issues. In addition to his literary achievements, several of his works were adapted into films, including *Dog Day Afternoon*. Waller’s life was marked by multiple marriages and relocations, including significant time spent in Italy and England before returning to the United States. His impactful writing and engaging plots garnered a dedicated readership and frequent appearances on The New York Times best-seller list.
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Leslie Waller
Writer
- Born: April 1, 1923
- Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois
- Died: March 29, 2007
Biography
Leslie Waller was born on April 1, 1923, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of George Waller and Ruth Elson Waller. After graduating from Hyde Park High School in 1939, he attended the University of Chicago for two years. In January, 1942, he joined the United States Army Air Force and was assigned to Intelligence. In 1946, Waller returned to the University of Chicago, but a year later, he transferred to Columbia University, where he earned a B. A. in 1949 and an M. A. in American Literature in 1950.
In 1947, Waller married Louise Hetzel, an editor, who coauthored the book Take Me to Your Leader. They had two daughters, Elizabeth and Susan. Waller and Hetzel divorced in February, 1967. In September, he married Patricia Mahen, an actress and photographer.
Waller began his professional career as a journalist, working as a crime reporter and rewriter for the City News Bureau and Chicago Sun from 1939 to 1941. In 1952, he became public relations director for the Savings Banks Association of New York, and in 1956, director of publicity for the Sydney S. Baron Public Relations Corporation. In 1960, he was made vice president of Harshe-Rotman-Druck, a New York public-relations agency. He remained there for eight years. In 1978, with his wife Patricia he moved to Calabria, Italy; they later relocated in England. In 1993, they returned to the United States and made their home in Naples, Florida, where Waller became editor of the Naples Review.
Waller’s literary career began in 1944, when he published his first novel, Three Day Pass. Over fifty novels and nonfiction books followed. Two of his novels, Lie Like a Lady and The Witching Night, appeared under the pseudonym C. S. Cody. The Witching Night was reissued in 1974, when the occult again became popular. Waller also wrote several books under another pseudonym, Patrick Mann. That was the name he used for his fictional adaptation of Steven Spielberg’s screenplay Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
Although Waller wrote several nonfiction books for children and young adults, he is best known for his adult novels. A few of them focus on private matters; for example, the historical novelBlood and Dreams deals with one family; The Brave and the Free describes the later lives of some 1964 high-school graduates. However, even these books reflect Waller’s interest in power, corruption, crime, and politics. Many of Waller’s most popular books are political thrillers like Embassy, which involves a terrorist plot against the United States Embassy in London. A number of his novels involve the Mafia, and he also wrote a nonfiction book titled The Mob: The Story of Organized Crime in America. Three of Waller’s books were made into films, A Change in the Wind, Hide in Plain Sight, and the classic Dog Day Afternoon.
Waller’s thrillers and spy stories are original and well-written, with fast-moving, unpredictable plots that keep readers in suspense until the final pages. His books appear regularly on The New York Times best-seller list.