Frank Dikötter is a world-renowned historian and writer known for his insightful and groundbreaking works on modern China. With a Ph.D. in History from the University of London, he has dedicated his career to illuminating the darker corners of Chinese history, exposing the human cost of political upheaval and state-sponsored violence.

Possessing a rare talent for synthesizing complex information, Frank Dikötter has authored several award-winning books on China's turbulent past. His critically acclaimed Mao's Great Famine: The History of China's Most Devastating Catastrophe, 1958-1962, drew international attention for its groundbreaking research on the Great Leap Forward, uncovering the hidden toll of Mao Zedong's disastrous campaign to transform China's economy. The book has been translated into 22 languages and won the 2011 BBC Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction, one of the world's most prestigious literary awards.

Frank Dikötter's other works include The Age of Openness: China Before Mao, which examines the period of reform and experimentation that preceded Mao's rise to power; and The Tragedy of Liberation: A History of the Chinese Revolution 1945-1957, which explores the costs of the Communist Party's takeover of China. His most recent book, How to Be a Dictator: The Cult of Personality in the Twentieth Century, examines the despotic regimes of Mao, Stalin, Hitler, and Mussolini, and the ways in which they exploited the cult of personality to maintain their grip on power.

In addition to his groundbreaking work as a scholar and author, Frank Dikötter is a sought-after commentator on Chinese history and politics. He has appeared on CNN, the BBC, NPR, and other major media outlets, and his insights have been featured in publications such as The Washington Post, The New York Times, and The Guardian.

Frank Dikötter is a gifted storyteller who has devoted his life to exploring China's past, and his contributions have shed valuable light on one of the most complex and fascinating societies in the world.