Jonathan Miles

Jonathan Miles took a first class degree from University College, London and received his doctorate from Jesus College, Oxford. He has written, lectured and broadcast on cultural history all over the world. His book, Medusa was called ‘thrilling’ (The Guardian), ‘enthralling’ (The Telegraph), ‘an incredibly gripping book – Miles’s masterful work is a powerful read’ (Irish Times), ‘grippingly recounted – the narrative is brilliantly meted out’ (The New York Times).

His latest book, The Nine Lives of Otto Katz, introduces a spy with a murderous smile along with an astonishing cast of characters which adds up to a Who’s-Who of European letters, Hollywood stars, notorious spies and double agents. It has been called ‘irresistible’ (Sunday Times) and ‘riveting’ (The Mail on Sunday) ‘unique’ (Los Angeles Times) and ‘biography at its readable best’ (The Washington Times).

Miles’s earlier work on David Jones was extremely well received. Backgrounds to David Jones was hailed by Michael Alexander in Modern Language Review as a ‘distinctive book … Miles puts Jones into a bigger context and better persepective than most … I recommend it thoroughly’. The Maker Unmade (with Derek Shiel) is regarded as ‘the best book on Jones’s life and work’ (New Welsh Review & The Spectator, London). Eric Gill and David Jones At Capel-y-Ffin was called ‘scholarly, rigorous and remarkably comprehensive’. In April 2018 a new edition of this last book was published, and it includes additional illustrations as well as a refreshed view of its subject in the light of new information on Gill and Jones. 

Jonathan lives in Florence and Paris with his wife and daughter.