Who was W. Somerset Maugham? A gentleman, cosmopolitan, trained doctor and celebrated playwright, secret agent and millionaire, but above all: a storyteller. In this collection of materials compiled by Thomas and Simone Stölzel for long-time enthusiasts and new converts, Maugham himself speaks at length, providing insights into his character, his life, and his writing, as well as the major themes of his work and his fellow writers. His unmistakably ironic voice is complemented by testimonies and essays from authors such as Raymond Chandler, Jean Améry, and Graham Greene. It includes a detailed chronology of his life and work, along with a bibliography.