Max Shulman, a renowned satirist, was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA, to a Russian immigrant father who was a skilled house painter. Shulman's early writing endeavors commenced at the University of Minnesota, where he contributed to the college humor magazine. His remarkable talent caught the attention of a Doubleday editor, who urged him to compile his finest work into a novel, "Barefoot Boy With Cheek". This debut novel achieved immense success, becoming a best-seller in 1943.
Following his graduation, Shulman served in the US Army Air Corps, utilizing his time to craft two more novels. "The Feather Merchants" is a humorous account of military life, while "The Zebra Derby" was published after the war. Upon returning to civilian life, Shulman dedicated himself to a full-time writing career, producing an impressive array of novels, short stories, stage and screenplays, and television scripts over the course of four decades.
His remarkable literary output spanned numerous genres, showcasing his versatility and mastery of various writing styles. Despite his prolific career, Shulman's early life and writing endeavors remain an integral part of his legacy, demonstrating the foundation upon which his remarkable success was built.
