Alistair McLean, the brains behind the historical novel Guns of Navaronne, is kind of an obscure figure. Even though Alistair McLean is responsible for some great and critically acclaimed works such as Where Eagles Dare and Fear is the Key, few people know the life of this great novelist.

Alistair began his life in Scotland and was the son of a minister. He then came on to serve in the Royal navy and was injured in battle. It is during his term in the Royal Navy that McLean gathered the vivid imagery that makes his novels so captivating.

After he left the army, McLean studied English at the University of Glasgow where he learned the tricks of the trade. He published his first novel in 1955, HMS Ulysses, which was loosely based on his various war experiences. The novel became an instant hit and readers where captivate by McLean’s straight to the point action and cynical characters. He went on to publish Guns of Navaronne in 1957 which was arguably the most important novel of his career.

Alistair went on to write many other books during his lifetime, but none received the same response as his earlier works. He then became an alcoholic and died from alcohol related complications in 1987.

Alistair McLean left us many great works as a testament to his talent. Sadly, most of his novels are not available in print in the US. However, new revamped copies of the movie Guns of Navarrone are hitting the shelves and maybe, just maybe, they will help carry the legacy of the great author that Alistair McLean was.