David L. Robbins (Virginia writer)
Encyclopedia
David L. Robbins is an American
author of several historical fiction novels, and founder of the James River Writers and the Richmond-based Podium Foundation.
veterans, David Lea Robbins was born on March 10, 1954, in Richmond, VA. He received his B.A. in Theater and Speech from the College of William and Mary
in 1976, then his Juris Doctorate from the same school four years later.
He spent one year practicing environmental law in South Carolina
to keep an agreement made with his father regarding the money spent on law school. When that time was up, he turned to freelance writing. He did not devote his time to writing fiction until 1990. After the sweeping success of War of the Rats and his subsequent novels, Robbins was able to become a full-time novelist.
In 2007, Robbins returned to his alma mater
, this time as the Writer in Residence. He was so popular among the students that they petitioned for him to return an extra semester before passing the torch to Tom De Haven
, author of Funny Papers and It's Superman!
.
Robbins co-founded along with several other writers the James River Writers in 2002 to encourage creative expression in the Richmond area. Since its founding, the nonprofit organization
holds literary and art contests, newsletters, and a yearly conference, as well as exposing readers to contemporary authors who come to speak.
After the success of the James River Writers, Robbins was appalled by the lack of creative encouragement given to lower-class students in the Richmond area. In 2008, he started the Podium Foundation, creating a literary magazine
and public voice to these students who aspire to rise above societal expectations. Currently, Podium has published its second volume of student submissions and reaching out to middle and high schools beyond Richmond.
The organization has also branched out to include several more programs, including a writing academy for city high school teachers and a monthly article written by city high school students published in the Richmond Times Dispatch.
In addition to writing novels, Robbins is an avid sailor
and sportsman. He studies classical guitar
. When not traveling to research his novels, he lives in his hometown of Richmond, VA. He is currently at work on his tenth novel, an adventure tale of Somali pirates and international intrigue, influenced by Mary Shelley, to be called The Devil's Waters.
, a thrilling recounting of the Russian and German sniper duels
over the city of Stalingrad
. Adding meticulously researched details and vibrant human depth to the historical records of World War II, the novel won Robbins recognition and praise. It was later adapted by Jean-Jacques Annaud
as the inspiration for the war film Enemy at the Gates
, starring Jude Law
.
Robbins followed up War of the Rats with The End of War, another World War II-era tale of the approach of the Allied forces and the fall of Berlin, this time adding civilian perspectives to his narrative. His fourth novel, Scorched Earth, addressed contemporary racism
in the American South. Robbins returned to World War II with Last Citadel, bringing Cossack
traditions and partisan warfare to life for the tank battle of Kursk
in August 1943. Liberation Road deals with the experience of black and Jewish minorities in the U.S. Army during the war.
Branching from historical fiction into alternate history, The Assassin’s Gallery features the assassination of President Franklin D. Roosevelt
. It is the first of Robbins’ novels to have a direct sequel, The Betrayal Game, in which an American teacher visiting Havana is embroiled in a conspiracy to assassinate Fidel Castro
before the Bay of Pigs invasion
.
His most recent novel, Broken Jewel, was released on November 10, 2009 by Simon and Schuster. In this novel, Robbins explores the Pacific Theater
and the atrocities committed upon the so-called “comfort women
” enslaved by the Japanese military.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
author of several historical fiction novels, and founder of the James River Writers and the Richmond-based Podium Foundation.
Biography
The son of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
veterans, David Lea Robbins was born on March 10, 1954, in Richmond, VA. He received his B.A. in Theater and Speech from the College of William and Mary
College of William and Mary
The College of William & Mary in Virginia is a public research university located in Williamsburg, Virginia, United States...
in 1976, then his Juris Doctorate from the same school four years later.
He spent one year practicing environmental law in South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
to keep an agreement made with his father regarding the money spent on law school. When that time was up, he turned to freelance writing. He did not devote his time to writing fiction until 1990. After the sweeping success of War of the Rats and his subsequent novels, Robbins was able to become a full-time novelist.
In 2007, Robbins returned to his alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
, this time as the Writer in Residence. He was so popular among the students that they petitioned for him to return an extra semester before passing the torch to Tom De Haven
Tom De Haven
Tom De Haven is an American author, editor, journalist, and writing teacher.His recurring subjects include literary and film noir, the Hollywood studio system and the American comics industry...
, author of Funny Papers and It's Superman!
It's Superman!
It's Superman! is a novel by Tom De Haven based on the comic book superhero Superman. It was released on September 15, 2005 in hardcover and August 29, 2006 in paperback...
.
Robbins co-founded along with several other writers the James River Writers in 2002 to encourage creative expression in the Richmond area. Since its founding, the nonprofit organization
Nonprofit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
holds literary and art contests, newsletters, and a yearly conference, as well as exposing readers to contemporary authors who come to speak.
After the success of the James River Writers, Robbins was appalled by the lack of creative encouragement given to lower-class students in the Richmond area. In 2008, he started the Podium Foundation, creating a literary magazine
Literary magazine
A literary magazine is a periodical devoted to literature in a broad sense. Literary magazines usually publish short stories, poetry and essays along with literary criticism, book reviews, biographical profiles of authors, interviews and letters...
and public voice to these students who aspire to rise above societal expectations. Currently, Podium has published its second volume of student submissions and reaching out to middle and high schools beyond Richmond.
The organization has also branched out to include several more programs, including a writing academy for city high school teachers and a monthly article written by city high school students published in the Richmond Times Dispatch.
In addition to writing novels, Robbins is an avid sailor
Sailor
A sailor, mariner, or seaman is a person who navigates water-borne vessels or assists in their operation, maintenance, or service. The term can apply to professional mariners, military personnel, and recreational sailors as well as a plethora of other uses...
and sportsman. He studies classical guitar
Classical guitar
The classical guitar is a 6-stringed plucked string instrument from the family of instruments called chordophones...
. When not traveling to research his novels, he lives in his hometown of Richmond, VA. He is currently at work on his tenth novel, an adventure tale of Somali pirates and international intrigue, influenced by Mary Shelley, to be called The Devil's Waters.
Novels
Robbin’s first book, Souls to Keep (pub. 1998 by Harper Collins), attracted little attention. His breakthrough came in 1999 with the publication of War of the RatsWar of the Rats
War of the Rats is a World War II fiction novel written by David L. Robbins in 1999.The movie Enemy at the Gates is partially based on this book.-Plot summary:...
, a thrilling recounting of the Russian and German sniper duels
Sniper
A sniper is a marksman who shoots targets from concealed positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel. Snipers typically have specialized training and distinct high-precision rifles....
over the city of Stalingrad
Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad was a major battle of World War II in which Nazi Germany and its allies fought the Soviet Union for control of the city of Stalingrad in southwestern Russia. The battle took place between 23 August 1942 and 2 February 1943...
. Adding meticulously researched details and vibrant human depth to the historical records of World War II, the novel won Robbins recognition and praise. It was later adapted by Jean-Jacques Annaud
Jean-Jacques Annaud
Jean-Jacques Annaud is a French film director, film producer and screenwriter.- Biography :Annaud was born in Juvisy-sur-Orge, Essonne...
as the inspiration for the war film Enemy at the Gates
Enemy at the Gates
Enemy at the Gates is a 2001 war film directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud, starring Joseph Fiennes, Jude Law, Rachel Weisz, Bob Hoskins and Ed Harris set during the Battle of Stalingrad in World War II....
, starring Jude Law
Jude Law
David Jude Heyworth Law , known professionally as Jude Law, is an English actor, film producer and director.He began acting with the National Youth Music Theatre in 1987, and had his first television role in 1989...
.
Robbins followed up War of the Rats with The End of War, another World War II-era tale of the approach of the Allied forces and the fall of Berlin, this time adding civilian perspectives to his narrative. His fourth novel, Scorched Earth, addressed contemporary racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
in the American South. Robbins returned to World War II with Last Citadel, bringing Cossack
Cossack
Cossacks are a group of predominantly East Slavic people who originally were members of democratic, semi-military communities in what is today Ukraine and Southern Russia inhabiting sparsely populated areas and islands in the lower Dnieper and Don basins and who played an important role in the...
traditions and partisan warfare to life for the tank battle of Kursk
Battle of Kursk
The Battle of Kursk took place when German and Soviet forces confronted each other on the Eastern Front during World War II in the vicinity of the city of Kursk, in the Soviet Union in July and August 1943. It remains both the largest series of armored clashes, including the Battle of Prokhorovka,...
in August 1943. Liberation Road deals with the experience of black and Jewish minorities in the U.S. Army during the war.
Branching from historical fiction into alternate history, The Assassin’s Gallery features the assassination of President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
. It is the first of Robbins’ novels to have a direct sequel, The Betrayal Game, in which an American teacher visiting Havana is embroiled in a conspiracy to assassinate Fidel Castro
Fidel Castro
Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz is a Cuban revolutionary and politician, having held the position of Prime Minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976, and then President from 1976 to 2008. He also served as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba from the party's foundation in 1961 until 2011...
before the Bay of Pigs invasion
Bay of Pigs Invasion
The Bay of Pigs Invasion was an unsuccessful action by a CIA-trained force of Cuban exiles to invade southern Cuba, with support and encouragement from the US government, in an attempt to overthrow the Cuban government of Fidel Castro. The invasion was launched in April 1961, less than three months...
.
His most recent novel, Broken Jewel, was released on November 10, 2009 by Simon and Schuster. In this novel, Robbins explores the Pacific Theater
Pacific Ocean theater of World War II
The Pacific Ocean theatre was one of four major naval theatres of war of World War II, which pitted the forces of Japan against those of the United States, the British Commonwealth, the Netherlands and France....
and the atrocities committed upon the so-called “comfort women
Comfort women
The term "comfort women" was a euphemism used to describe women forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military during World War II.Estimates vary as to how many women were involved, with numbers ranging from as low as 20,000 from some Japanese scholars to as high as 410,000 from some Chinese...
” enslaved by the Japanese military.
World War II novels
- War of the RatsWar of the RatsWar of the Rats is a World War II fiction novel written by David L. Robbins in 1999.The movie Enemy at the Gates is partially based on this book.-Plot summary:...
(Bantam, 1999) - The End of War (Bantam, 2000)
- Last Citadel (Bantam, 2003)
- Liberation Road (Bantam 2005)
- Broken Jewel (Simon & Schuster, scheduled for 2009)
Alternate history
- The Assassin’s Gallery (Bantam, 2006)
- The Betrayal Game (Bantam, 2008)