STEPHEN BROOK first visited Prague in the mid-1980s, and it was one of the central European cities featured in his book The Double Eagle (1988). When he returned in 1991, the days of communist rule were over, and the city was enjoying a new lease on life, as reflected in his next book about the city, Prague (1992). Brook grew up in London, studied at Cambridge, and worked as an editor in the United States and in London before becoming a full-time writer in 1982. Since then he has written 30 books on a wide range of subjects including travel, wine, opera, dreams, and infidelity. He has also contributed numerous articles to Vogue, The Times, Cigar Aficionado, Condé Nast Traveller, Decanter, and other publications. Brook currently takes every opportunity to travel and explore the world. He retains a special affection for Prague, where some of his forebears lived, as there are few other cities that combine such dramatic beauty with such a vigorous cultural life.