A graduate of St. Bonaventure University with a B.A. in history, I served four years as an infantry officer in the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.  Over the course of my training, I was one of 75 ROTC cadets from the entire country chosen to attend Ranger School; graduated on the Commandant's List from the Infantry Officer Basic Course at Ft. Benning, Georgia; earned the Basic Parachutist's Badge, the Air Assault Badge, and the Expert Infantryman's Badge; and received an Honorable Discharge as a captain. 

I received a Master's degree in Anglo-Irish literature from Ireland's University of Dublin, Trinity College.  A lifelong runner, I've completed 29 marathons, including 23 consecutive Boston Marathons since 2002. My best effort to date was a 290th place finish (out of 18,000) at Boston in 2004.  I live, write, and run in Princeton, New Jersey.