Ben Mezrich is an American author of non-fiction books. He is best known for his works that focus on the intersection of youth culture and crime, such as Bringing Down the House, which was adapted into the 2008 film 21. His other works include Ugly Americans, Busting Vegas, Rigged, and The Accidental Billionaires, which was adapted into the 2010 film The Social Network. Mezrich was born in Boston, Massachusetts and graduated from Harvard University in 1991. He has written for publications such as The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and Playboy. He has also appeared on television shows such as The Today Show, Good Morning America, and The O'Reilly Factor. Mezrich's writing style is often described as "faction", a combination of fact and fiction. He often uses real people and events as the basis for his stories, but then adds fictional elements to make them more exciting. His books have been praised for their fast-paced, thrilling narratives, and for their ability to bring readers into the world of the characters.