Lawrence Uhlin's first novel Machiavelli's Desert reflects his interest in Canadian affairs of state and political espionage. A native Canadian, Lawrence was born in Toronto and grew up amidst the busy and vibrant development of that city. Prior to returning to school in 1972 as a mature student, he was variously employed in a variety of jobs from bartending to sales, lifeguarding to landscaping and a five year stint in the Royal Canadian Navy.He earned two degrees at the University of Toronto and while there, a creative writing course stimulated his interest in Canadian authors and their stories as well as inspiring a desire to write a novel that would reflect aspects of his ultimate career selection of behavioural psychology. That career choice has led Uhlin to a variety of pursuits including assessments for the federal prison system, private practice and ultimately a program leader for services to children with autism.Travel has always ignited Lawrence Uhlin's creative spark and the scenes of local and exotic settings reflect a passion for place and people, in the words of Lawrence Durrell - Spirit of Place, infuses and colours his writing as does his interest in the motivations of those who seek power; the good and the bad, the schemers and dreamers and the diversity of those we call Canadian.