AllMovie

Factsheet

• Joined the Army ROTC in college, but was told he was too near-sighted to be considered for a military career.
• Worked as an insurance agent before becoming an author.
• First novel, The Hunt for Red October, was released in 1984; then-President Reagan praised the book, which led to a huge increase in sales.
• Co-founded Red Storm Entertainment in 1996, which released video games based on his books.
• Was a minority owner of the Baltimore Orioles and nearly bought the Minnesota Vikings before his divorce derailed his plans.