David Baldacci was born in Richmond, Virginia, in 1960. After high school he attended Virginia Commonwealth University, where he received his Bachelor of Art in political science. Immediately afterwards he began law school at the University of Virginia. While he was attending law school, he began to write short stories and screenplays, but did not finish anything for the first five years. After five years of rejections and nine years as a trial and corporate lawyer, he decided to try to write his first novel (Baldacci, Lecture). Two vigorous years went by where Baldacci would work during the day as a lawyer and write his novel at night (Baldacci, Contemporary 13).
             David Baldacci uses his success and fame in order to practice his philanthropic interest. He is involved in the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and the Virginia Literacy Foundation. The Barbara Bush Foundation's goal is to break the cycle of illiteracy, and to develop programs where families can learn to read together. The Virginia Literacy Foundation is similar except this program focuses on adult literacy and education (Baldacci, Philanthropic). His devotion to literacy has been recognized and admired by many, including these organizations. He stated at the Lamar State College-Port Arthur Distinguished Lecture Series, "Words are the greatest most powerful tool we will ever have." Baldacci's success has not been overnight; the novelist best describes it as eleven years and probably 10,000 discarded pages (Baldacci, Contemporary 13). David Baldacci and his novels have been recognized all !
             over the world. His books have been translated into over thirty languages and sold in over eighty countries, which exceeds his prior ambition of becoming a short story writer. David Baldacci's novels are national and international bestsellers. He has in print more ...