A cultural historian, Jonathan Miles graduated with a first from University College, London and received his doctorate from Jesus College, Oxford. Early books include studies of David Jones. His Wreck of the Medusa - currently under option for a full-length motion picture - is a voyage through the artistic, political and moral clashes of Restoration France. The New York Times called it 'entrallingly recounted ... the narrative brilliantly meted out'. His Nine Lives of Otto Katz - the tale of a flamboyant Soviet intriguer and spy - was hailed by the Los Angeles Times 'as unique among accounts of that world'. The press has reacted to St. Petersburg - Three Centuries of Murderous Desire with unbounded enthusiasm: 'a brilliant history' - The Observer; 'extraordinary book ... brutally vivid' - The Times (a History Book of the Year); 'a dazzling history of a dazzling city' - The Arts Desk.