Alistair MacLean was a famous British writer who wrote 28 thrilling novels and adventure stories, and also worked as a screenwriter. His books were extremely popular and sold over 150 million copies, and were adapted into 18 films. In 1983, he received a Doctor of Letters degree from the University of Glasgow. During World War II, from 1941 to 1946, MacLean served in the navy, which inspired many of his works. His novel “Where Eagles Dare” tells the story of a kidnapped general who has secret information about the second front, and a special group sent into the impregnable Alps to rescue him.