Jean M. Auel is an American author best known for her Earth's Children series, which includes the popular novel The Clan of the Cave Bear. Born on February 18, 1936, in Chicago, Illinois, she began writing in the 1970s and published her first book in 1980. Auel's works are set in prehistoric Europe and focus on the life and adventures of a young girl named Ayla. Auel's writing is notable for its detailed research into Paleolithic life, including the customs, tools, and survival techniques of early humans. Her books have garnered a large following and have been translated into multiple languages, making her one of the most recognized authors in the genre of historical fiction.