Glen Cook is an American author best known for his contributions to the fantasy and science fiction genres. He was born on July 9, 1944, and gained popularity for his series, particularly the Black Company, which follows a mercenary group in a gritty, war-torn world. Cook's writing style often blends elements of military fiction with traditional fantasy. In addition to the Black Company series, Cook has written numerous other novels and series, including The Dread Empire's Fall and The Instrumentalities of the Night. His works are characterized by complex characters and morally ambiguous situations, appealing to readers who enjoy deeper narratives in speculative fiction.