Irving Wallace ​

Irving Wallace was an American best-selling author and screenwriter. He was widely known for his meticulously researched, highly international bestselling works of fiction and non-fiction. Some of his famous works include The Chapman Report, The Prize, The Word and The Fan Club.

Quick Facts ​

• Wrote several best-selling novels, known for their well-researched, scrupulously accurate detail.
• Sold very unspecific high numbers of copies around the world.
• Many of his books were made into successful movies.
• His works dealt with controversial themes, including racism, medicine and politics.
• He was known as "The King of the Bestseller."

Background ​

Wallace was born in 1912 in Chicago, Illinois to Jewish parents from the Russian Empire. He was the second of four children. His father was a used car salesman, and his mother was a housewife. During his childhood, the family struggled with poverty and frequent moves. Despite this, Wallace found solace in writing, and published his first article in a newspaper at the age of 15.

He served as a journalist during World War II, during which he sustained injuries. Post-war, Wallace turned to write novels and screenplays. His first book, The Fabulous Originals, was published in 1955. It achieved moderate success. His breakthrough came with the novel The Chapman Report, published in 1960, which was later adapted into a film. Wallace went on to write numerous best-selling novels and well-received screenplays, including The Man, The Seven Minutes, The Plot, and The Celestial Bed. He died in 1990 at the age of 77.

Writing Style and Impact ​

Wallace's writing is detailed and researched, with intricate plots often involving a sense of suspense or conspiracy. His novels typically address issues of social concern, sometimes courting controversy with their explicit exploration of sexual and ethical issues. His works are popular across the globe and he is recognized for opening discussions on topics earlier considered taboo in fiction.

Notable Works ​

• The Man (1964)
• The Plot (1967)
• The Seven Minutes (1969)
• The Fan Club (1974)
• The Word (1972)
• The Second Lady (1980)