The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the Airplane was written by noted author Russell Freedman. Freedman is known for having published 50 biographies as well as two dozen books on animal behaviors. According to Freedman's publisher, he prefers to be referred to as a "factual writer" as opposed to a non-fiction author. In Freedman's mind, non-fiction is made out to be boring and less interesting and entertaining than fiction. Freedman disagrees.