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Pat Conroy (born October 26, 1945), is a New York Times bestselling author who has written several acclaimed novels and memoirs. Two of his novels, The Prince of Tides and The Great Santini, were made into Oscar-nominated films. Born Donald Patrick Conroy in Atlanta, Georgia USA, he was the eldest of seven children (five boys and two girls) born to Marine Colonel Donald Conroy, of Chicago and the former Frances "Peggy" Peck of Georgia. Conroy grew up in a military family, moving many times during his childhood and adolescence and never having a hometown, as his family followed his father,... MORE

Pat Conroy (born October 26, 1945), is a New York Times bestselling author who has written several acclaimed novels and memoirs. Two of his novels, The Prince of Tides and The Great Santini, were made into Oscar-nominated films. Born Donald Patrick Conroy in Atlanta, Georgia USA, he was the eldest of seven children (five boys and two girls) born to Marine Colonel Donald Conroy, of Chicago and the former Frances "Peggy" Peck of Georgia. Conroy grew up in a military family, moving many times during his childhood and adolescence and never having a hometown, as his family followed his father, a fighter pilot, as he was transferred from military base to military base. Conroy moved 23 times before he was 18 years old. Conroy has shared that his stories have been heavily influenced by his military brat upbringing, and in particular, difficulties experienced with his own father, a US Marine Corps pilot, who was physically and emotionally abusive toward his children, and the pain of a youth growing up in such a harsh environment is evident in Conroy's novels, particularly The Great Santini. While he was living in Orlando, Florida, Conroy's 5th grade basketball team defeated a team of 6th LESS