Robert Kurson is an American author known for narrative nonfiction works that blend history, adventure, and human drama. Born on April 3, 1963, Kurson grew up in the Chicago suburb of Summit, Illinois. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he earned a degree in philosophy. Kurson began his career as an attorney, practicing law for several years before transitioning to writing. His passion for storytelling and adventure led him to pursue a career as a journalist, and he quickly established himself as a talented writer skilled in capturing the essence of extraordinary true stories.

In 2004, Kurson achieved widespread acclaim after the publication of his debut book, Shadow Divers. This immersive tale of deep-sea wreck diving and the discovery of a sunken World War II U-boat off the coast of New Jersey became a New York Times Best Seller and catapulted Kurson to literary fame. Following the success of Shadow Divers, Kurson continued to write about exploration, adventure, and resilience in his subsequent works. Crashing Through (2007) tells the remarkable story of a blind man who regained his sight through groundbreaking surgery and embarked on a journey of self-discovery.