Joseph W. Michels

Michels grew up in southern California, attended UCLA where he earned an undergraduate degree in philosophy, followed by an MA in cultural anthropology and a Ph.D. in archaeology. He pursued a professorial career at Penn State University where he achieved international recognition for his contributions to the archaeological investigation of ancient complex societies. His archaeological fieldwork took him to Central America, North Africa, Northeast Africa, the Western Mediterranean, as well as to various regions within the United States. When the opportunity arose to change careers Michels turned to fiction writing. Much of Michels' fiction explores the interplay between singularly capable individuals and the geopolitical settings they find themseles in as they take on challenging assignments.