Michael Shaara (June 23, 1928 – May 5, 1988) was an American author of science fiction, sports fiction, and historical fiction. Born to an Italian immigrant father in Jersey City, New Jersey, Shaara's narrative spans a rich tapestry that blends cultural heritage with the quintessence of American storytelling. He graduated from Rutgers University in 1951, joined the fraternity Theta Chi, and served as a sergeant in the 82nd Airborne Division prior to the Korean War.

Before embarking on a writing career, Shaara explored various avenues, including being an amateur boxer and a police officer. The stress of these endeavors, compounded by cigarette smoking, precipitated a heart attack at the age of 36, from which he made a full recovery. He later nurtured the minds of young Americans as a literature professor at Florida State University while continuing his passion for writing. Shaara's magnum opus, The Killer Angels, a novel about the Battle of Gettysburg, clinched the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1975, cementing his legacy within the literary canon.

Shaara's demise from a heart attack in 1988 at the age of 59 marked the end of a prolific career. His children, Jeffrey and Lila, carry on the literary legacy, contributing to the genre of historical fiction. In honor of Shaara's contributions, the annual Michael Shaara Award for Excellence in Civil War Fiction was established in 1997 at Gettysburg College, fostering a continued appreciation for Civil War literature.