Winston Groom was born in Washington, D.C., but grew up in Mobile, Alabama, on the Gulf Coast. After a brief period in the Army, Groom returned to Washington, where he worked as a reporter at the now defunct Washington Star, covering the political and court beat.

He enjoyed a stint in New York City socializing with literary legends before returning to Alabama, where he settled down to writing and enjoying life. He is the author of 18 previous books, including Forrest Gump, turned into an Oscar-winning movie, The Generals, and The Aviators.