Reiner Stach, born in 1951 in Saxony, is the author of the definitive biography of Kafka. The first two volumes, published by Princeton University Press, received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly ( superb ), Library Journal ( a monumental accomplishment ), Kirkus ( essential ), and Booklist ( masterful ). I can t say enough about the liveliness and richness of Stach s book, Michael Dirda exclaimed in The Washington Post. Every page feels excited, dynamic, utterly alive.