Oliver Hilmes, born in 1971, studied history, politics, and psychology in Paris, Marburg, and Potsdam, and holds a doctorate in twentieth-century history. His best-selling work includes Malevolent Muse: The Life of Alma Mahler (2004) and Cosima Wagner: The Lady of Bayreuth (2007). Most recently he has published Franz Liszt: Musician, Celebrity, Superstar (2011) and Ludwig II: Der unzeitgem&aauml;ße König (2013).
