Born in June 1942 in Mannheim, Nazi Germany, a war baby.

Father 54, strict, disciplinerian, dominant. Head of international department of engeneering company (Grün & Bilfinger). Travels frequently.

Mother, 39, Bavarian, loving, housewife, lots of common sense.

Sister Annelie 4, first considered a prodigy child, later the black sheep of the family.

Frequent US-American air raids, bombardments, the family seeks refuge in bunkers, shelters, cellars. Home on fire.

The children are separated from their parents, evacuated to the countryside. Maniwolf ends up in a hospital with laryndiphtheria, death experience (“now we need to put his fate into the hands of god”) lifelong trauma, survives miraculously.

After the war return to Mannheim, a world of ruins, the children play in the rubble, soccer in the street, tough goings outdoors.

Lessinggymnasium, humanistic high school with 9 years of Latin, 7 years of English, 5 years of French).

Sister Annelie – victim of emotional, verbal abuse by father, incessant clashes. One day she has a fit of rage. Father calls police, she is hauled away, put into a psychiatric clinic, locked up for seven years. 

1961 Abitur (baccalaureat) , major Latinum (Latinum Magnum),

Since age 15 hitchhiking trips during all school vacations all over Europe and North Africa, mostly with friends. Especially fascinated by Spain. Learns Spanish, becomes fluent.

Maniwolf realizes that he needs to go. Father threatens to cuts funds if he moves out .He moves out anyway, gets a room in a workers’district.

Internship at shipping company (Rhenus/Fendel), jobs in construction, chemistry factory (BASF), foundry (Strebelwerk), as truck driver, meat packer.

Intense friendship with Horst for many years, adventurous road trips, discussions about god and the world. Lots of reading, German, American, British, Spanish, French literature. Ship-hitching in Finland, Morocco, Italy, later in Belgium, USA and Mexico.

Study of Sociology (major) and psychology (minor) at Karl-Ruprecht University in Heidelberg (Germany’s oldest university)

1961 – 1962 and 1964 – 1965 Psychoanylysis with Dr. von Kries (Disciple of professor Mitscherlich)

1962 Leave of absence from university, first trip to Canada, across the US to avoid German military draft. Hitchhiked to Mexico, stayed with Mexican uncle Maximilian and his family in Guadalajara.

Hired on ship to Caribbean, South America, a tiny 3000 ton Death Ship on call (commission). Crossing the North Atlantic it got in distress and had to be towed to an emergency landing on the Azores islands.

1963 – 1971 Takes part is the students’ civil rights and anti-war movement, demonstrations, protests in Heidelberg.

Relationship with Hallie. (Still friends). Music Club Storyville in Heidelberg Handschuhsheim, live jazz, international folklore, rock. Alcohol and drug problems for years. Wild life, nightlong parties.

1969-1975. Chipiona, Costa de la Luz, Spain. Relationship with Loli. (Still friends)  La Ballena Roja (Tres Piedras) in Andalusia. Amphetamines and cheap Andalusian Conac. Road trips around Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Netherlands, Germany. Visit of von Kries in Chipiona. Group therapy with Don Conrado in Sevilla.

March 1975 Move to Los Angeles (West Hollywood) to undergo Primal Therapy. (Arthur Janov: Primal Scream), a deep-feeling psychotherapy, which has become a life style. No alcohol or drugs from first day of therapy, never went back. “Once I felt my (childhood) needs and feelings I didn’t need drugs”. “This therapy changed and saved my life”

Hedonistic lifestyle, lots of love, relationships, friendships, creativity.

Miracle Moving Company/E-Z Move . A fleet of 9 trucks.

Home in Venice, California, Marriage to Marianne. No children, “Never felt mature enough for children.”

Large rustic home in Encinitas, San Diego County.

Drilling Water Wells on large properties for domestic use (California draught).

Persian girl-friend Afsaneh. So much fun.

1993 Back to Los Angeles (Malibu, Pacific Palisades). Primal Therapist Training with Dr. Janov in Venice (Los Angeles). Worked with him on editing projects. Friendship with Anneliese Pestel (Betty, Ahmet).

1993 to present Founded and managed WordExpress Worldwide Language Services

1985 – 2021 Numerous travels to Europe (especially Germany, Spain, Portugal), India. Lived in several Latin American countries Argentine (Buenos Aires), Brazil (Rio de Janeiro), Peru (Arequipa), Costa Rica (Alajuela), Mexico (Guadalajara, San Cristóbal) and traveled in all of them (except Dominican Republic). “I am a German, Latino and Californian”!

2003 – 2008 Nirvana Ranch in Santa Barbara. Time to write, travel and enjoy life!

2009 – 2021 Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, Brentwood. focussing on WordExpress.

Romance with Lulyta in Buenos Aires (still friends). “My romantic Fata Morgana for years”

December 2021 Mulegé, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Road trips through Baja and Alta California, Oregon, Washington State.

February 2022 to present San Diego (Lakeside, Bonita). Finally decided to publish a few stories online.