Fred Chiaventone

Frederick J. Chiaventone, (born March 25, 1951) also known as Fred Chiaventone, is a novelist, screenwriter, military historian, consultant, commentator, and retired Cavalry officer. His novel A Road We Do Not Know: A Novel of Custer at the Little Bighorn won the 1999 Ambassador William E. Colby Award.

Military
Chiaventone served in the U.S. Army from 1973 to 1993. His rank was Lieutenant Colonel. He is Professor Emeritus of International Security Affairs at the United States Army Command and General Staff College.

Writing
Chiaventone has written two books: A Road We Do Not Know: A Novel of Custer at the Little Bighorn (1996) and Moon of Bitter Cold (2002). Both books received rave reviews. One reviewer said of, A Road We Do Not Know..., "An immensely effective and affecting first novel...it offers a powerful, unsparing portrait of close combat on the frontier." About Moon of Bitter Cold, a reviewer called it, "meticulously accurate," "gritty," and "evenhanded."

A Road We Do Not Know: A Novel of Custer at the Little Bighorn won the 1999 Ambassador William E. Colby Award. It was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, and voted the Best Novel of the Little Bighorn by the Little Bighorn Historical Association. He won a Wrangler award for his novel Moon of Bitter Cold.

In 1997, Chiaventone was inducted into the elite "Colby Circle." Other writers associated with this group include: Tom Clancy, W.E.B. Griffin, James Webb, and Mark Bowden. This group of writers is recognized for their contributions "to public understanding of military and political affairs."

Chiaventone's articles have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, The Foreign Service Journal, The Journal of the Army War College, and the Military Review. He was also a Contributing Editor to the Historical Dictionary of the U.S. Army and Oxford Companion to American Military History. He writes frequently for Weider's Armchair General magazine. In 2011, his article at Wild West Magazine, "Taking Stock of the Pony Express," won the Western Heritage Award in the Magazine category.

Film and television
Chiaventone holds a Master's degree in Film and Television Production from San Francisco State University. He has written, produced, and directed documentaries and news programs for the Department of Defense. His expertise lies in military history, guerilla warfare, counter terrorism, peacekeeping operations, and broadcast media. Chiavnetone was the historical advisor to film and television productions including, Ken Burns's The West (documentary), TNT's Rough Riders (miniseries), and Two for Texas, which was the winner of the 1999 Western Heritage Award. He was the coach for principal actors and military and historical advisor for Ang Lee's Ride with the Devil (film).