How my name changed from Max Böhnel to Max Boehnel, and now Max Bohnel…

Born in 1963 in Aschaffenburg, West Germany.

Grew up in Bavaria.

Moved to demilitarized West Berlin in 1981 to avoid military service.

Became a squatter.

Studied political science at Freie Universität Berlin.

Worked there as a truck driver, at a schnapps factory assembly line and in a car wash for a couple of years.

Conducted research in Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco between 1985 and 1994.

Lived in Jerusalem from 1994 until 1997 and worked as a Middle East correspondent for German and Swiss newspapers and magazines.

Research in Lebanon, Israel, Palestine and Cuba in 2000.

Works as writer, translator and radio producer.

Lives in a beautiful town in the suburbs of New York City.