Ele é um escritor Norte-americano de não-ficção. O autor também atuou como ghost-writer, colaborador ou editor para mais de 30 outros livros. Ele é fundador e principal escritor da Watkins & Associates.
Ronald J. Watkins has been reviewed in all major publications which include The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Dallas Morning News, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Washington Post, to name just a few. His book, "Unknown Seas" -- a history of the Portuguese discoveries and the first European voyage to India by Vasco da Gama --, received enthusiastic reviews. The Scotsman called it "a gripping adventure narrative". The Naval Review referred to it as "stirring stuff" and "a fine read" while The Guardian called it "fascinating". He authored a chapter on Vasco da Gama for The Great Explorers, published by Thames & Hudson in the United Kingdom in 2010.