John Birmingham is the author of the cult classic He Died With a Felafel in His Hand, the award-winning history Leviathan and the trilogy comprising Weapons of Choice, Designated Targets and Final Impact as well as Without Warning and After America. Between writing books he contributes to a wide range of newspapers and magazines on topics as diverse as the future of media and national security. Before becoming a writer he began his working life as a research officer with the Defence Department's Office of Special Clearances and Records.