Reiner Stach (1951, Rochlitz, Saxony) studied Mathematics, Philosophy and Literature. He has been a science and non-fiction editor at various German publishers. After dedicating years to the definitive edition of Kafka's complete works in Germany, he devoted more than a decade to writing the three books that make up this biography: The First Years (1883-1910), The Years of Decisions (1910- 1916) and The Years of Knowledge (1916-1924). In addition to various articles in specialized magazines and in the press, Kafkas erotischer Mythos and Ist das Kafka? 99 Fundstücke.