Grant Blackwood is a U.S. Navy veteran who spent three years on active duty aboard the guided missile frigate USS Ford. He was an Operations Specialist and Pilot Rescue Swimmer. In 2001 Penguin published his first book, The End of Enemies. In 2010 he published two books with well-known authors, Lost Empire with Clive Cussler and Dead or Alive with Tom Clancy. His title Dead or Alive made Publishers Weekly Best Seller List in 2011.