Javier Cercasis the author ofSoldiers of Salamis, The Tenant & The MotiveandThe Speed of Light. He has taught at the University of Illinois and for many years was a lecturer in Spanish literature at the University of Gerona. He lives in Barcelona with his wife and son. Anne McLeanis the translator of works by Carmen Martín Gaite, Julio Cortázar, Ignacio Martínez de Pisón and Tomás Eloy Martínez. She has twice won the Independent Prize for Foreign Fiction: forSoldiers of Salamisby Javier Cercas in 2004 (which also won her the Valle Inclán Award), and forThe Armiesby Evelio Rosero in 2009.