Bertrand Shurtleff

Born in 1897, Bertrand Leslie Shurtleff was an American writer whose career stretched far beyond books. He studied at Brown University and later played professional football before also working as a teacher and public speaker.

As an author, he wrote adventure fiction and stories for younger readers, and he became especially associated with dog stories, including the popular AWOL books. His work was published widely enough to be preserved in public-domain collections, which has helped keep his writing accessible long after his death in 1967.

What makes Shurtleff memorable is the mix of toughness and warmth in his background and his fiction alike. He seems to have drawn on a life full of movement, competition, and travel, giving his stories an energetic, straightforward appeal.