Essential reading to complement the translation of the Divine Comedy by the same author

Studied History, Latin and Russian (Tübingen Universitsy 1967-1968)
Modern History (Brasenose College, Oxford 1968-1971, Robert-Birley-Scholar, University-Paget-Toynbee-Prize for work on Dante)
D.Phil. (Oxford and Italy 1971-1974, Rhodes-Scholar. Thesis: Francesco Filelfo at the Court of Milan. A Contribution to the Study of Humanism in Northern Italy)
Studied Law and Economics (Munich University 1974-1976)
German Foreign Office (1976-2014), posted in Singapur, Beijing, Moscow, London
1984-1987: Ghost writer for Federal President Richard von Weizsäcker
2001-2004: Vice-President German Foreign Intelligence Service (BND)
2004-2008: President Federal College for Security Studies
Seit 2014 retired, regular contributor to newspapers (NZZ, FAZ, Süddeutsche), periodicals (Sirius, Politikum, Pragmatikus) and international websites (Geopolitical Information Service). His translation of Dante's Divine Comedy, accompanied by a comprehensive commentary was published in 2024 by Manesse, München.