I was born in Germany in 1953 and became interested in the works of Karl May after receiving my first Winnetou book from my father. Ever since then I have been a Karl May fan. Since English translations of the Karl May books are few and usually abridged, I undertook to translate the entire Orient saga of Karl May's works. My translation project started in January 1999 and the initial book took one year to complete. During the following year, an extensive editing effort was undertaken to polish the translated work and ready it for publication. Shortly after the first book was published, my wife and editor, Elaine, lost her battle with cancer. Yet it was her desire to have this epic work completed and so, in 2002, the second book, which Elaine had partially completed editing before her death, was published. Driven by the promise I made to Elaine, I continue the translation of this series.
I emigrated to Australia with my parents in 1965 and now reside in the United States of America.
The Oriental Odyssey series of books was the first unabridged translation of a Karl May work. With the translators who have joined this project, we hope to publish many more of Karl May's epic narratives.
I thank the many readers and fellow translators who have helped in keeping this project alive.