Simon has written more than 60 factual books for children, as well as contributing to many encyclopaedias and other reference books. Covering everything from the lives of Alexander the Great and Mahatma Gandhi to two world wars, the sinking of the Titanic and modern-day Afghanistan, he specializes in history, biography, politics, and current affairs.

He is also a jazz critic and writes regularly for a jazz magazine.

He was educated at the London School of Economics and Bristol University and then worked as an editor and manager of children’s reference books before becoming a full-time writer 16 years ago.