Christopher J. Datta is the author of four novels, Touched with Fire (2013), The Demon Stone (2014), Fire and Dust (2014) and A Perfect Disguise (2020).  He has written two movie scripts, and his memoir, Guardians of the Grail: A Life of Diplomacy on the Edge, was published in 2018. He wrote another memoir, Run Scout Run (2020), a loving tribute to the dog he brought back from South Sudan.  Finally, he has written a children’s story, Christopher Fries an Egg (2022), illustrated by Christine Vineyard.

Mr. Datta is a graduate of the University of Minnesota. He has had a long career in diplomatic service, having served in such places as India, Jordan, Sudan, Eritrea and Rwanda.

While he was serving in Liberia, rebels attacked Monrovia. He organized the evacuation of 150 Americans using French military helicopters out of Cote d’Ivoire. At one point, he was nearly killed by President Charles Taylor’s troops after being accused by Taylor of coup plotting against him. He also helped to bring the notorious war criminal Sam Bokarie to justice.

Mr. Datta is married to Debra Datta and lives in Washington, DC on Capitol Hill. He speaks Arabic and French. He holds a Top Secret Security Clearance with the United States Department of State.