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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
reflective
slow-paced
informative
slow-paced
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I am a similar age, and have spent two recent holidays in what was the east, in particular Stralsund which was Dr Merkel’s constituency. I found the book a real page turner in relation to her personal history and world events.
I think her early experiences of being held back in education and at work in the DDR for her politics
,have profoundly impacted her sense of ‘freedom’. She’s interesting on Putin and Trump. Measured about her successes and failures, honest, modest and hard working. She picked her battles and looked to the long term.i enjoyed her matter of fact style, there is nothing salacious or gossipy here. A great role model for young people thinking of a life of public service.
I think her early experiences of being held back in education and at work in the DDR for her politics
,have profoundly impacted her sense of ‘freedom’. She’s interesting on Putin and Trump. Measured about her successes and failures, honest, modest and hard working. She picked her battles and looked to the long term.i enjoyed her matter of fact style, there is nothing salacious or gossipy here. A great role model for young people thinking of a life of public service.
The most prescient quote from this is the concluding paragraph:
"Freedom needs democratic conditions -- without democracy there is no freedom, no constitutional state, no guarantee of human rights. If we want to live in freedom, we must defend our democracy within and without against those who threaten it. We can do that if we work together. If we commit ourselves together. Everyone for themselves, and all of us in it together. Because freedom cannot only exist for the individual, freedom must apply to everyone."
I greatly admire Angela Merkel, her incredible resilience, and the steady diplomacy, thoughtfulness and intelligence with which she navigated so many massive political issues. I admit, though, that I found her book somewhat dry and methodical. Political historians will probably find a lot to be fascinated with - but I did just skim most of the book... I did enjoy learning about her childhood in the GDR, her interaction with the German football/soccer team and their coaches as they went on to win the world cup, and other bits & pieces, and interactions with various world leaders (Trump & Putin both come off, accurately, as massive assholes) -- the photographs selected are excellent as well.
A few choice turns of phrase:
On East Germany "It was like a cardigan: if you fasten the first button incorrectly, you always need to start all over again to be able to do it up properly. And the GDR's first button was fastened incorrectly. That was my firm belief"
When faced with a difficult decision about running for office:
"The conclusion I reached was neither to give up the candidacy without a fight, no rto bang my head against the wall -- on such occasions, in my experience, the wall always wins." (in this case, she publicly declared her intent to run & readiness for the role of chancellor, thus forcing the hand of her competitor.)
And, on her interactions with Trump during his 1st term: Her initial statement/duty (as she said) to ensure a 'comfortable relationship' between countries:
"[I] stressed that our two countries were connected by shared values such as democracy, freedom, respect for the law, and the dignity of humankind, regardless of origin, skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or political leaning. 'On the basis of these values,' I offered him close cooperation.'"
"As I write these words, the outcome of the American presidential election in November 2024 is still open. I wish with all my heart that Kamala Harris, whom I met over breakfast during my last visit to Washington as chancellor in 2021, defeats her competitor and becomes president."
We wished that too, Angela :(
And during covid, in an address to the German people regarding new rules & movement restrictions:
"We are a democracy. We live not by coercion, but by shared knowledge and collaboration."
Seems like a dream.
"Freedom needs democratic conditions -- without democracy there is no freedom, no constitutional state, no guarantee of human rights. If we want to live in freedom, we must defend our democracy within and without against those who threaten it. We can do that if we work together. If we commit ourselves together. Everyone for themselves, and all of us in it together. Because freedom cannot only exist for the individual, freedom must apply to everyone."
I greatly admire Angela Merkel, her incredible resilience, and the steady diplomacy, thoughtfulness and intelligence with which she navigated so many massive political issues. I admit, though, that I found her book somewhat dry and methodical. Political historians will probably find a lot to be fascinated with - but I did just skim most of the book... I did enjoy learning about her childhood in the GDR, her interaction with the German football/soccer team and their coaches as they went on to win the world cup, and other bits & pieces, and interactions with various world leaders (Trump & Putin both come off, accurately, as massive assholes) -- the photographs selected are excellent as well.
A few choice turns of phrase:
On East Germany "It was like a cardigan: if you fasten the first button incorrectly, you always need to start all over again to be able to do it up properly. And the GDR's first button was fastened incorrectly. That was my firm belief"
When faced with a difficult decision about running for office:
"The conclusion I reached was neither to give up the candidacy without a fight, no rto bang my head against the wall -- on such occasions, in my experience, the wall always wins." (in this case, she publicly declared her intent to run & readiness for the role of chancellor, thus forcing the hand of her competitor.)
And, on her interactions with Trump during his 1st term: Her initial statement/duty (as she said) to ensure a 'comfortable relationship' between countries:
"[I] stressed that our two countries were connected by shared values such as democracy, freedom, respect for the law, and the dignity of humankind, regardless of origin, skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or political leaning. 'On the basis of these values,' I offered him close cooperation.'"
"As I write these words, the outcome of the American presidential election in November 2024 is still open. I wish with all my heart that Kamala Harris, whom I met over breakfast during my last visit to Washington as chancellor in 2021, defeats her competitor and becomes president."
We wished that too, Angela :(
And during covid, in an address to the German people regarding new rules & movement restrictions:
"We are a democracy. We live not by coercion, but by shared knowledge and collaboration."
Seems like a dream.
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
Tja, wie beurteilt man so ein Buch. Politisch bin ich keine CDU Wählerin, fand ihre Erzählungen über politische Ereignisse in ihrer Amtszeit zwar interessant, habe aber nicht genug Kontextwissen um das richtig einordnen zu können. Sie übt hier auch wenig Selbstkritik, verirrt sich in eine Nacherzählung, anstatt einer Reflexion. Ich finde es generell sehr schade, wie wenig sie Einblick in ihre Beweggründe, Gedanken, persönliche Einstellungen gibt. Das bleibt alles sehr oberflächlich. Finds auch ok, dass sie ihr Privatleben privat halten will, aber wenn sie mir ihr tagtägliches Programm minutiös darlegt, dann will ich wissen, ob sie öfter Mittagschlaf macht, oder auch mal abschweift. Und wenn nicht, teil deine Geheimnisse Angela! Wie krieg ich deine Aufnerksamkeitsspanne??
Angela Merkel find ich auch als feministische Figur ganz spannend, weil ich so bisschen gegen meinen Willen, doch an ihr als eine Zerbrecherin der Glassdecke hänge. Aber feministisch fortschrittlich zu sein ist doch das letzte was ihr unterstellen würde. Sie ist konservativ, verliebt in den Status Quo, was ja durchaus beeindruckend ist, dass sie den Zusammenbruch eines politischen Systems miterleben kann und dennoch so wenig Systemkritik verinnerlicht hat. Und da bin ich schon bissi traurig drüber.
Kurzgesagt verliert Angela sich in endlosen Details, aber ihren Patenpinguin Alexandra erwähnt sie nur in einem Nebensatz? Justice for Alexandra?
Angela Merkel find ich auch als feministische Figur ganz spannend, weil ich so bisschen gegen meinen Willen, doch an ihr als eine Zerbrecherin der Glassdecke hänge. Aber feministisch fortschrittlich zu sein ist doch das letzte was ihr unterstellen würde. Sie ist konservativ, verliebt in den Status Quo, was ja durchaus beeindruckend ist, dass sie den Zusammenbruch eines politischen Systems miterleben kann und dennoch so wenig Systemkritik verinnerlicht hat. Und da bin ich schon bissi traurig drüber.
Kurzgesagt verliert Angela sich in endlosen Details, aber ihren Patenpinguin Alexandra erwähnt sie nur in einem Nebensatz? Justice for Alexandra?
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
It really took me a while to get into this book. I read so many biographies that are meticulously researched with everything neatly categorized, so it felt unfamiliar to read an autobiography of this style – the information is, by nature, much more fluid and thoughtful coming from the subject herself. The style was also much less formal and sophisticated than expected. It could've been partially due to the translation, or Merkel's aim to be more accessible, but I found it difficult in its own way.
At many points, the nuances of German political systems, parties, and figures were lost on me – and frankly I gave up on trying to absorb all the details of people I had never heard of. Still, I thought Merkel made some great points – particularly about the importance of international negotiations, the danger of excluding figures like Putin (leaving him to his own devices) and the need to bring everyone to the table. She briefly touches on Germany's relationship with Trump, albeit with obvious and understandable disgust for his methods and manner in direct juxtaposition of everything she's tried to do. She also focused a lot on how busy her schedule was, which was interesting to consider.
Contrary to some reviews I had read, I thought she presented great humility in her interpretation of her own actions. She pointed to many things that she felt, in retrospect, she could have said or presented differently. But she also gently but firmly defended her positions and decisions, and generally gave the impression of always trying to do the right thing. She clearly considers the difference between right and wrong and explains why she tried not to shy away from making tough decisions.
While at times it was certainly difficult to slog through parts, I'm glad I powered through. I felt this book was useful in expanding my understanding of Germany, Merkel, what it means to be a true leader. That being said, I look forward to taking a break with a novel next - having eaten my vegetables, I now think I deserve some dessert :)
At many points, the nuances of German political systems, parties, and figures were lost on me – and frankly I gave up on trying to absorb all the details of people I had never heard of. Still, I thought Merkel made some great points – particularly about the importance of international negotiations, the danger of excluding figures like Putin (leaving him to his own devices) and the need to bring everyone to the table. She briefly touches on Germany's relationship with Trump, albeit with obvious and understandable disgust for his methods and manner in direct juxtaposition of everything she's tried to do. She also focused a lot on how busy her schedule was, which was interesting to consider.
Contrary to some reviews I had read, I thought she presented great humility in her interpretation of her own actions. She pointed to many things that she felt, in retrospect, she could have said or presented differently. But she also gently but firmly defended her positions and decisions, and generally gave the impression of always trying to do the right thing. She clearly considers the difference between right and wrong and explains why she tried not to shy away from making tough decisions.
While at times it was certainly difficult to slog through parts, I'm glad I powered through. I felt this book was useful in expanding my understanding of Germany, Merkel, what it means to be a true leader. That being said, I look forward to taking a break with a novel next - having eaten my vegetables, I now think I deserve some dessert :)