A prize-winning author of fiction and nonfiction for readers of all ages, Stewart Ross is one of Britain's most popular and versatile writers.  ​ He was born in Buckinghamshire and educated at Newton Blossomville, Oxford, Berkhamsted, Exeter, Bristol, and Orlando, Florida. He taught at a variety of institutions in Sri Lanka, the Middle East, the US and the UK before becoming a full-time writer in 1989.In addition to fiction and nonfiction, his 330+ published titles include plays, librettos, and the text of a musical work for voice and orchestra. Stewart lectures in France and the UK, gives talks, runs workshops and visits schools. He is an occasional journalist and broadcaster. His brother, Charlie Ross, is the celebrated auctioneer. In his spare time, Stewart enjoys travel, food, sport, theatre, photography, art and music. He lives near Canterbury with his wife Lucy, and - occasionally - his four children and three grandchildren. Every morning, he commutes 10 metres to work in a large hut in the garden.

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• : The crossroads of the world: States and mandates: Middle Eastern politics to the end of World War II: The promised land: Gamal Abdul Nasser: War to war: Divisions and developments 1967-73: Lebanon bleeds: Camp David: Revolution and war: Intifada: Desert Storm: The 1990s: searching for settlement: Regime change: Regional reaction: Sharon and the roadmap