Alfred Coppel (1921-2004) was an American author and writer of science fiction and historical fiction. He was born in New York City and served in the United States Army Air Corps d...view moreAlfred Coppel (1921-2004) was an American author and writer of science fiction and historical fiction. He was born in New York City and served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II, where he flew 150 combat missions as a navigator and bombardier. After the war, Coppel pursued a career in writing and published his first short story in 1947. He went on to write over 40 novels and numerous short stories, many of which were published in science fiction magazines such as Galaxy and Astounding Science Fiction. Coppel's work often explored themes of war, politics, and the human condition. Some of his notable works include "The Burning Mountain," "The Hills of Home," and "The Glory Boys." He also wrote several historical novels under the pseudonym Robert Cham Gilman. Throughout his career, Coppel received several awards for his writing, including the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Short Story in 1955. He passed away in 2004 at the age of 82.view less