The most comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of Traven's life and work together with an analysis of the sources of his inspiration and his impact on other modern writers-is presented in this book by an international group of experts. A novelist whose major works were first published in German (and banned by the Nazis), whose major theme was the plight of the underdog in Europe and especially in revolutionary Mexico, and whose style echoes American hard-boiled naturalism, B. Traven has an enduring and challenging appeal to literary scholars.An introductory chapter by the editors outlining Traven's life and work, a chronology and a bibliography enhance the value of this book to the student of modern literature and social history-as well as the serious B. Traven fan.