Olivier Hein
MauritiusAbout
Olivier Hein is a Mauritian-British author and former diplomat whose writing explores the history, culture, and overlooked stories of places around the world. During his diplomatic career, he served with the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and the British diplomatic service, with postings in New York, Paris, Kosovo, and Turkmenistan. His experiences abroad have informed his interest in countries whose histories are often underrepresented in mainstream historical narratives. Hein has written several books on regional history, including Ridge and Vale: The Extraordinary History of the Cotswolds, Glory, Faith and Sorrow: The Epic History of Peru, Borneo: The History of an Enigma, and Star and Key: The Historical Adventure of Mauritius. He has also contributed to The Chap magazine. His work combines historical research with an accessible narrative style, bringing unfamiliar places and their cultural legacies to a broad readership. In Mother of the World: The Remarkable History of Turkmenistan (2026), Hein draws on his experience in the country to explore its significance as a crossroads of ancient civilisations, Silk Road commerce, and competing empires. He lives with his family in the Cotswolds, England.
