Elmore Leonard: "The Dickens of Detroit"

Early Calling
Leonard, nicknamed "Dutch", became interested in writing at the age of 10 after reading All Quiet on the Western Front and spent much of his time in high school pouring through novels. After graduating in 1943, he joined the navy, where he served in the South Pacific with a Seabee unit. After three years of service, Leonard attended the University of Detroit, where he studied English and philosophy.