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soniek's review against another edition
4.0
Angela Merkel seems to be a quiet woman in public, known more for her active role and decisions in European politics, rather than personal ideologies and rhetorics. No wonder then, that any biography or document about this lady would always offer an additional insight into the life of an otherwise private person. And yet, it seems to present the professional side of Merkel, with only those parts of her personal life which heavily influenced her job.
There is a relatively shorter mention of her early years in East Germany, her family, education, upbringing, marriage and entry into politics. Even these have been mentioned to explain the role they played, especially her childhood and youth in East Germany, on her worldview and political stand all her life.
Most of this biography focuses on her political career growth from a party leader to environment minister to eventually Germany's Chancellor. The initial chapters talk about her early years in East Germany, her entry into politics and her slow but strong personal development in this field. Several chapters are dedicated to her relationship with leaders of individual countries like Israel, Russia, China, UK and the later chapters cover her leadership over the issue of the Euro.
This book stresses more on her leadership style, analytical thought process and a problem - solving approach. It also mentions her weaknesses as well as how she has managed to compensate for those weaknesses with her strengths. There isn't much personal emotional stories which are typical to many biographies, especially about women.
What I loved most about this book is that it so feminist without tooting any feminist horns. It doesn't make those typical feminist statements of how Merkel broke gender barriers or how she manager her work and life and marriage. And yet, it has covered all these aspects in a way which would appeal and relate with readers of all genders.
Readers may find it a little dry, cold and clinical. But then that is what Merkel and her Germany are traditionally seen as. Maybe that's intentional, or maybe that's all there is really to one of the most significant women of our world.
Whatever it may be, it is an interesting book for a closer observation of Angela Merkel and Germany. Of course if someone follows her and German politics closely throughout the span of her leadership, then this book may not be that appealing.
There is a relatively shorter mention of her early years in East Germany, her family, education, upbringing, marriage and entry into politics. Even these have been mentioned to explain the role they played, especially her childhood and youth in East Germany, on her worldview and political stand all her life.
Most of this biography focuses on her political career growth from a party leader to environment minister to eventually Germany's Chancellor. The initial chapters talk about her early years in East Germany, her entry into politics and her slow but strong personal development in this field. Several chapters are dedicated to her relationship with leaders of individual countries like Israel, Russia, China, UK and the later chapters cover her leadership over the issue of the Euro.
This book stresses more on her leadership style, analytical thought process and a problem - solving approach. It also mentions her weaknesses as well as how she has managed to compensate for those weaknesses with her strengths. There isn't much personal emotional stories which are typical to many biographies, especially about women.
What I loved most about this book is that it so feminist without tooting any feminist horns. It doesn't make those typical feminist statements of how Merkel broke gender barriers or how she manager her work and life and marriage. And yet, it has covered all these aspects in a way which would appeal and relate with readers of all genders.
Readers may find it a little dry, cold and clinical. But then that is what Merkel and her Germany are traditionally seen as. Maybe that's intentional, or maybe that's all there is really to one of the most significant women of our world.
Whatever it may be, it is an interesting book for a closer observation of Angela Merkel and Germany. Of course if someone follows her and German politics closely throughout the span of her leadership, then this book may not be that appealing.
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