Hans Koning (born Hans Königsberger in 1921 Amsterdam), escaped occupied Europe during World War II, and joined the British Army rising to the rank of sergeant.  In 1951 he came to the United States from Indonesia where he produced a radio show.  He was the author of more than 40 fiction and non-fiction books and a prolific journalist, contributing for almost 60 years to numerous publications including the The New York Times, The International Herald Tribune, The New Yorker, Harpers Magazine, The Nation and The Atlantic Monthly.

"There has always been something recognizably distinct in Hans Koning's novels: a ruthless spareness in the manner, a kind of passionate desperation in the plot"
                                                                - Alastair Reid

"Koning is that rare combination - a masterful story teller with a sense of history"
                                                                - Howard Zinn

"One of America's most accomplished writers"
                                                                - George Plimpton

"His style works like dry ice on the mind"
                                                                - Newsweek

"Extraordinarily stirring"
                                                                - The New Yorker

"One of the most beautiful (novels) I have read for a long time"
                                                                - Keith Waterhouse