Gerhard Richter is associate professor of German and affiliate professor in comparative literature at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He is the editor of Benjamin's Ghosts: Interventions in Literary and Cultural Theory.

Gerhard Richter's study is so effective that it exceeds its own intentions and opens up an illumination of language in our times as well as in Benjamin's. - Michigan Germanic Studies ""As the first full-scale study of Benjamin's practice of autobiography in any language, Gerhard Richter's admirable work performs a major scholarly service."" - Peter Fenves, Northwestern University ""This text is magisterial.... [It] renews one's amazement at the power and beauty of Benjamin's thinking. I rate this work very highly."" - James Rolleston, Duke University ""... a remarkable achievement."" - Michael Jennings, Princeton University