The cultural historian Jonathan Miles grew up in America, Canada and the UK and took a first from University College, London and his doctorate from Jesus College, Oxford. He has written, lectured and broadcast on cultural history and the political, historical and cultural aspects of St Petersburg all over the world, and travelled extensively, including frequent visits to the Soviet Union and Russia. He is the author of five previous books, including The Wreck of the Medusa, with its account of art, slavery and revolutionaries in early XIX century France, and The Nine Lives Of Otto Katz, the story of a flamboyant Soviet intriguer and spy.

"This irresistible biography exposes a man by turns showy and shadowy ... Miles conjures the spy-game atmospherics of the era wonderfully" The Sunday Times "Has all the hallmarks of a thrilling detective story as Katz sets about coordinating his hydra-headed fronts for Soviet propaganda and profit" Metro "A true-life action thriller" Saga Magazine "Miles uncovers the secret world of a secret agent" Times "A riveting new biography ... a film really ought to be made of Katz's life, but who could possibly play such an outlandish character?" Mail on Sunday

The cultural historian Jonathan Miles grew up in America, Canada and the UK and took a first from University College, London and his doctorate from Jesus College, Oxford. He has written, lectured and broadcast on cultural history and the political, historical and cultural aspects of St Petersburg all over the world, and travelled extensively, including frequent visits to the Soviet Union and Russia. He is the author of five previous books, including The Wreck of the Medusa, with its account of art, slavery and revolutionaries in early XIX century France, and The Nine Lives Of Otto Katz, the story of a flamboyant Soviet intriguer and spy.

"This irresistible biography exposes a man by turns showy and shadowy ... Miles conjures the spy-game atmospherics of the era wonderfully" The Sunday Times "Has all the hallmarks of a thrilling detective story as Katz sets about coordinating his hydra-headed fronts for Soviet propaganda and profit" Metro "A true-life action thriller" Saga Magazine "Miles uncovers the secret world of a secret agent" Times "A riveting new biography ... a film really ought to be made of Katz's life, but who could possibly play such an outlandish character?" Mail on Sunday

The cultural historian Jonathan Miles grew up in America, Canada and the UK and took a first from University College, London and his doctorate from Jesus College, Oxford. He has written, lectured and broadcast on cultural history and the political, historical and cultural aspects of St Petersburg all over the world, and travelled extensively, including frequent visits to the Soviet Union and Russia. He is the author of five previous books, including The Wreck of the Medusa, with its account of art, slavery and revolutionaries in early XIX century France, and The Nine Lives Of Otto Katz, the story of a flamboyant Soviet intriguer and spy.

"This irresistible biography exposes a man by turns showy and shadowy ... Miles conjures the spy-game atmospherics of the era wonderfully" The Sunday Times "Has all the hallmarks of a thrilling detective story as Katz sets about coordinating his hydra-headed fronts for Soviet propaganda and profit" Metro "A true-life action thriller" Saga Magazine "Miles uncovers the secret world of a secret agent" Times "A riveting new biography ... a film really ought to be made of Katz's life, but who could possibly play such an outlandish character?" Mail on Sunday