James Salter, a renowned literary figure, is widely regarded as one of the most esteemed "writers' writers" in the United States during the latter half of the 20th century. Born in 1925 in Passaic, New Jersey, Salter's creative journey began at a remarkably young age, with his work being published in the prestigious Poetry magazine while he was still a high school student.
Salter's upbringing played a significant role in shaping his future, as his father, a former West Point graduate, persuaded him to attend the military institute, from which he graduated in 1945. During his time in the Air Force, Salter honed his skills as a fighter pilot, experiences that would later be immortalized in his memoirs, Burning the Days.
Salter's writing career began while he was stationed in Honolulu, where he started putting pen to paper. Although his first novel didn't see the light of day until 1956, just before he resigned from the Air Force, he has continued to work on his craft intermittently, with a notable foray into the world of filmmaking.
