Angela Merkel
Europe's Most Influential Leader
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- USD 7.99
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- USD 7.99
Descripción editorial
Matthew Qvortrup’s definitive and insightful biography of Angela Merkel is essential reading for anyone interested in current affairs, the fate of Europe, or the story of a truly remarkable woman.
Based on over 15 years of in-depth research, Angela Merkel tells the story of the political titan’s astonishing rise from obscurity to become the most influential leader in Europe today. It follows the German Chancellor’s journey to prominence and power from a bleak childhood in East Germany, and offers an unprecedented understanding of her inimitable personality and perspective, explaining how her unique qualities have made Merkel perhaps the most respected political figure on the world stage today.
***PRAISE FOR ANGELA MERKEL: EUROPE’S MOST INFLUENTIAL LEADER***
'Qvortrup's biography reads like an Icelandic saga... a complex life, full of little and greater mysteries.' The Times
'An excellent book... from leader of Germany to leader of Europe, to leader of the west, a clear picture of Merkel emerges.’ Financial Times
'Provides insight and clarity... This eye-opening biography, drawing from rich behind-the-scenes knowledge, is necessary reading for anyone who wants to broaden his or her perspective on the world today.' Kirkus, starred review
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Bloomberg Businessweek reporter Qvortrup presents a well-researched but unsatisfying biography of Germany's chancellor. He follows Merkel's path: a Lutheran girlhood in East Berlin, her first marriage, her years as a scientist, her entry into politics during German reunification, and her rise to the chancellorship, which he follows right up to the 2015 Syrian refugee crisis. The book reads more as a history than a biography; the early chapters are heavy on historical context and light on personal detail and later chapters explore political negotiations and decision-making, with very few explorations of Merkel's non-work life or of her psychology and motivations. Qvortrup's writing comes alive when recounting political machinations (such as those behind Merkel's 2005 electoral win), but the overall narrative and prose are workmanlike at best and clunky at some points. (On the building of the Berlin Wall: "The Cold War had entered a new phase and life would never be the same again. Not until 1989, at any rate.") The reader leaves the book with plenty of facts about Merkel's life and possessing a better understanding of recent German politics, but knowing little more of Merkel's worldview, motivations, and personality.
