James Clavell

James Clavell (1924-1994) was a British author of historical fiction, screenwriter and director. Clavell was a World War II veteran and was a Japanese POW – experiences he borrowed upon in his career as a novelist (most notably in King Rat). He wrote the screenplays to various films, including The Fly and The Great Escape. Clavell was an admirer of Ayn Rand and sent her a copy of Noble House that read, “This is for Ayn Rand – one of the real, true talents on this earth for which many, many thanks.” James Clavell became a published novelist in 1962 with the novel King Rat. Below is a list of James Clavell’s books in order of when they were originally published: For me, none of Clavell’s other books lived up to Shogun, but Shogun is, truly, a masterpiece.