Elliot Ackerman is the author of five novels, including “Dark at the Crossing,” “Waiting for Eden” and “Red Dress in Black and White.” His most recent book, “2034: A Novel of the Next World War” (Penguin), written with Adm. James Stavridis, became an instant bestseller for the New York Times. Ackerman is also an essayist, journalist and short story writer; his writing frequently appears in The New York Times, Esquire and The New Yorker, and his stories have been included in "The Best American Short Stories" and "The Best American Travel Writing." He is both a former White House Fellow and Marine, and served five tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he received the Silver Star, the Bronze Star for Valor and the Purple Heart.