Daniel Silva
Encyclopedia
Daniel Silva is the best-selling American author of 14 thriller and espionage
novels. His most recent novel, "Portrait of a Spy" was published July 19, 2011 and was an instant #1 bestseller. His past three books The Rembrandt Affair (2010), "The Defector" (2009) and "Moscow Rules" (2009) all were #1 New York Times bestsellers. His books are published in more than 30 countries and are international bestsellers. Some of his novels are set against Islamic terrorism, some relate to villains set in Russia, as well as historic events related to World War II
and the Holocaust. HIs books feature Gabriel Allon, art restorer, spy and assassin. In January 2009 Silva was appointed to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
's United States Holocaust Memorial Council.
Silva began his writing career as a journalist
with a temporary job at United Press International
in 1984. His assignment was to cover the Democratic National Convention
. His position was made permanent and, a year later, Silva was transferred to the Washington, D.C.
, headquarters. After two more years, he was appointed as UPI's Middle East
correspondent and moved to Cairo
, Egypt
.
Silva returned to Washington, D.C., for a job with CNN
's Washington Bureau. He worked as a producer and executive producer for several of the network's television programs, including Crossfire and Capitol Gang.
In 1994 he began work on his first novel, The Unlikely Spy (1996). When published, the novel became an instant New York Times best-seller, and in 1997 Silva left CNN to pursue writing full-time.
Since then Silva has written 13 more spy novels, all best-sellers on the New York Times list. His novels Moscow Rules (2008), featuring art restorer and assassin Gabriel Allon was a No. 1 New York Times best-seller, as was The Defector (2009), and The Rembrandt Affair (2010). His new book Portrait of a Spy (2011) was published on July 19th and was an instant #1 bestseller.
Today show's national correspondent Jamie Gangel
, and their children, Nicholas and Lily.
Espionage
Espionage or spying involves an individual obtaining information that is considered secret or confidential without the permission of the holder of the information. Espionage is inherently clandestine, lest the legitimate holder of the information change plans or take other countermeasures once it...
novels. His most recent novel, "Portrait of a Spy" was published July 19, 2011 and was an instant #1 bestseller. His past three books The Rembrandt Affair (2010), "The Defector" (2009) and "Moscow Rules" (2009) all were #1 New York Times bestsellers. His books are published in more than 30 countries and are international bestsellers. Some of his novels are set against Islamic terrorism, some relate to villains set in Russia, as well as historic events related to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and the Holocaust. HIs books feature Gabriel Allon, art restorer, spy and assassin. In January 2009 Silva was appointed to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is the United States' official memorial to the Holocaust. Adjacent to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the USHMM provides for the documentation, study, and interpretation of Holocaust history...
's United States Holocaust Memorial Council.
Life and career
Silva is son of Portuguese immigrants from the Azores and he was raised in Michigan.Silva began his writing career as a journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
with a temporary job at United Press International
United Press International
United Press International is a once-major international news agency, whose newswires, photo, news film and audio services provided news material to thousands of newspapers, magazines and radio and television stations for most of the twentieth century...
in 1984. His assignment was to cover the Democratic National Convention
Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1832 by the United States Democratic Party. They have been administered by the Democratic National Committee since the 1852 national convention...
. His position was made permanent and, a year later, Silva was transferred to the Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, headquarters. After two more years, he was appointed as UPI's Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
correspondent and moved to Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
, Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
.
Silva returned to Washington, D.C., for a job with CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
's Washington Bureau. He worked as a producer and executive producer for several of the network's television programs, including Crossfire and Capitol Gang.
In 1994 he began work on his first novel, The Unlikely Spy (1996). When published, the novel became an instant New York Times best-seller, and in 1997 Silva left CNN to pursue writing full-time.
Since then Silva has written 13 more spy novels, all best-sellers on the New York Times list. His novels Moscow Rules (2008), featuring art restorer and assassin Gabriel Allon was a No. 1 New York Times best-seller, as was The Defector (2009), and The Rembrandt Affair (2010). His new book Portrait of a Spy (2011) was published on July 19th and was an instant #1 bestseller.
Honors
- 2006, Barry Award for The Messenger (2005).
- In January 2009, Silva was appointed to a five-year term on the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum's United States Holocaust Memorial Council.
Marriage and family
He lives with his wife, the NBCNBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
Today show's national correspondent Jamie Gangel
Jamie Gangel
Jamie Gangel is a television reporter in the United States. She became a National Correspondent for the NBC News' Today Show in February 1992...
, and their children, Nicholas and Lily.