Colin Powell was born in New York City. He was a professional soldier for 35 years, during which time he won numerous US and foreign military decorations and rose to the rank of Four-star General. In December 2000, he was nominated by President Bush as Secretary of State, the first African-American to hold such high office.
Joseph E. Persico is the author of biographies on Nelson Rockefeller and former CIA chief William J. Casey. His work Nuremberg: Infamy on Trial was hailed by Howard K. Smith as the 'best account' of the trial.