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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
As I moved to Germany in 2010, Merkel has been Chancellor all this time, so I was familiar with most of what happened since then. The part about her early life and how she began in politics was interesting. That said, I found the book had little depth nor did it delve very deep into her life (understandable given that she is very private)
However the book didn’t really go very deep on politics either.
It was ok, especially for those not familiar with Merkel herself or European/Germany politics, otherwise it’s mostly a rehash of what is well-known about her. Ie. Putin bringing his dog to meeting, while knowing she has a fear of dogs, or Euro crisis, refugee crisis 2015, etc.
However the book didn’t really go very deep on politics either.
It was ok, especially for those not familiar with Merkel herself or European/Germany politics, otherwise it’s mostly a rehash of what is well-known about her. Ie. Putin bringing his dog to meeting, while knowing she has a fear of dogs, or Euro crisis, refugee crisis 2015, etc.
Biographies and Autobiographies are no longer--if they ever were--impartial. The author's viewpoint influences his/her/their work. Kati Marton wrote a biography of Angela Merkel based on her research and interpretation of events. Since I have never heard or read reports to the contrary, I assume the biography is generally true. Though Ms. Marton does not lead a typical life--she belongs to the intelligensia--her biography jives with recent events.
Chancellor Merkel grew up in East Germany which has influenced her personality and world outlook. She developed beyond her upbringing and education to embody the best in the contemporary German, an individual highly aware of the horrendous past and vigilant of repeat performances (however trivial they may seem). For a short period of time, she remained the only sane actress on the European/American stage. G-d help us.
The world continues to be in danger of autocracy winning the times. Putin flexes his muscles harming millions. Chancellor Merkel demonstrated the courage and guts to confront Putin in 2014.
Angela Merkel did not accomplish all she wished during her 14 years as chancellor. She maintained economic stability and strength for Germany and a voice to counteract growing authoritarianism. In August of 2015, Merkel announced that her country would not "turn away refugees." Probably her most daring act; the humane response caused her political downfall.
Chancellor Merkel grew up in East Germany which has influenced her personality and world outlook. She developed beyond her upbringing and education to embody the best in the contemporary German, an individual highly aware of the horrendous past and vigilant of repeat performances (however trivial they may seem). For a short period of time, she remained the only sane actress on the European/American stage. G-d help us.
The world continues to be in danger of autocracy winning the times. Putin flexes his muscles harming millions. Chancellor Merkel demonstrated the courage and guts to confront Putin in 2014.
Angela Merkel did not accomplish all she wished during her 14 years as chancellor. She maintained economic stability and strength for Germany and a voice to counteract growing authoritarianism. In August of 2015, Merkel announced that her country would not "turn away refugees." Probably her most daring act; the humane response caused her political downfall.
An excellent look into a very private person. Didn't dwell on any one topic for a long time like biographies tend to do. The right amount of detail on her growing up in East Germany, her pastor father, and her Lutheran faith. Discusses her relationship with US Presidents and other world leaders.
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
NYT Notable Books 2021: 26/100
I knew pretty much nothing about Merkel going into this book and I'm really glad to have read it. Marton paints a great picture of the famously private Merkel, while still respecting her wish for a separation of her private life. Merkel is clearly smart (and knows when to walk away), and reading about her relationship with the EU, other world leaders and her own country gave me a ton of insight into Germany in the 21st century. This was another example of all these books being connected though. I couldn't figure out why Marton's name was so familiar - turns out she was married to Richard Holbrook, who I read about earlier this year in <i> Man of Our Time </i>. Politics is a very small world, I guess.
I knew pretty much nothing about Merkel going into this book and I'm really glad to have read it. Marton paints a great picture of the famously private Merkel, while still respecting her wish for a separation of her private life. Merkel is clearly smart (and knows when to walk away), and reading about her relationship with the EU, other world leaders and her own country gave me a ton of insight into Germany in the 21st century. This was another example of all these books being connected though. I couldn't figure out why Marton's name was so familiar - turns out she was married to Richard Holbrook, who I read about earlier this year in <i> Man of Our Time </i>. Politics is a very small world, I guess.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, but I also thought of Angela Merkel as a pretty cool broad before I picked it up, so I'm a little biased. :)
This book was great. It was the first biography I had read in a while. The author shines a light onto an extremely private person in a respectable way.
An interesting portrayal of Germany’s long-serving chancellor with an emphasis on how her formative years behind the Iron Curtain prompted her entry into politics and shaped her policy as the leader of her country and Europe. As the author revisits the major events of her political career, I found it interesting to view Merkel’s decisions through the lens of those years growing up in a country where privacy and freedom were limited. The cast of characters are familiar and the author draws on accounts, written documents and quotes from many to paint the portrait of Merkel. This would make a good book club selection with a primary question being: How does our childhood shape our lives?
So impressive. How did this woman who grew well into adulthood in East Germany come to lead Europe’s most powerful democracy and economy for 16 years and, I would argue, lead the entire free world from 2016-2020? She’s smart, ambitious, almost without ego, and fully and deeply committed to democracy and a humane approach to refugees and immigration.
Leaders have tremendous influence for good or ill. They can urge people to lean into their best and most humane instincts or their worst. Merkel did the former to the benefit of Germans and the world. Well worth your time.
Leaders have tremendous influence for good or ill. They can urge people to lean into their best and most humane instincts or their worst. Merkel did the former to the benefit of Germans and the world. Well worth your time.
Melkoinen tarina: DDR:stä maailman huippujohtajaksi.
Juuri johtajuuden suhteen tällä kirjalla onkin paljon annettavaa.
Kuuntelin suomeksi äänikirjana.
Juuri johtajuuden suhteen tällä kirjalla onkin paljon annettavaa.
Kuuntelin suomeksi äänikirjana.
Just the right amount of detail for my current purposes. I've always been intrigued by Merkel as a leader and knew nothing about her except that she was the Chancellor of Germany for many years. The author is obviously an admirer but does highlight her strengths and achievements as well as her weaknesses and failures. If you're looking for a deep analysis of her policies and political impact, this book doesn't go there.