ela_lee_'s review
4.0
4.5 stars. I wanted to read this book because I didn’t know much at all about Angela Merkel and figured it couldn’t hurt to read about the most powerful woman in, essentially, the world. I also just wanted to learn about an upbringing completely different from my American experience considering Merkel grew up in East Germany before the Berlin Wall fell. (East Germans were basically refugees in their own country once the West opened up and life was now free.)
Overall, Merkel seems like a good person and what every president should strive to be. She is extremely intelligent and is educated on history, technical subjects, science, legal details, logistics, new technology…all while remaining extremely logical, controlled, and seeing right through her fellow male leaderships' egos. However…I acknowledged that I can’t just read Merkel’s biography and claim to know her. Based on some conversations I’ve had, some politics in this book don’t seem to line up and it is apparent that this book focuses solely on the good - words she wants to be remembered by (especially considering how exceptionally private she is.)
I do love Merkel’s approach to Germany’s refugee policy. Every quote I highlighted from her book regards her approach to an open border:
“If the message is that people simply don’t want to take in any foreigners, especially not Muslims, then it is they who are in opposition to the German constitution and our international legal obligations,” she would say, dryly dismissing the opposition to her policy as xenophobia.
“What about us?” they demanded. Merkel’s strategy for dealing with the AFD (Alternative for Germany, a right-wing populist political party) was to deprive it of the oxygen of attention. “There will be zero tolerance for those who call into question the dignity of other people.”
“The state has a responsibility to ensure that our laws are obeyed by everyone. This country is based on the equality of sexes, on the freedom of religion, freedom of expression, on tolerance. Everyone must adhere to these principles.”
“Fear has never been a good advisor, neither in our personal lives nor in our society. Cultures and societies that are shaped by fear will not get a grip on the future.”
“As to whether I believe that I have divided the country with my policies, I don’t believe that any country is alone in the world. I will always say that my refugee policy was the right thing to do. We can’t merely protect our own wealth, we can’t just think of ourselves. We are part of the world.”
Overall, it was great to read a politically based book to see how other countries handle their policies and communication with each other. It’s embarrassing to admit that Americans usually interpret everything through our own lens and hardly research other country’s successes regarding the handling of Covid or other productive policies. It was also somewhat comforting to be reminded that other countries deal with extreme socio-political issues like America does.
Also, I now know and will use the word demagogue: a political leader who seeks support by appealing to the desires and prejudices of ordinary people rather than by using rational argument.
Overall, Merkel seems like a good person and what every president should strive to be. She is extremely intelligent and is educated on history, technical subjects, science, legal details, logistics, new technology…all while remaining extremely logical, controlled, and seeing right through her fellow male leaderships' egos. However…I acknowledged that I can’t just read Merkel’s biography and claim to know her. Based on some conversations I’ve had, some politics in this book don’t seem to line up and it is apparent that this book focuses solely on the good - words she wants to be remembered by (especially considering how exceptionally private she is.)
I do love Merkel’s approach to Germany’s refugee policy. Every quote I highlighted from her book regards her approach to an open border:
“If the message is that people simply don’t want to take in any foreigners, especially not Muslims, then it is they who are in opposition to the German constitution and our international legal obligations,” she would say, dryly dismissing the opposition to her policy as xenophobia.
“What about us?” they demanded. Merkel’s strategy for dealing with the AFD (Alternative for Germany, a right-wing populist political party) was to deprive it of the oxygen of attention. “There will be zero tolerance for those who call into question the dignity of other people.”
“The state has a responsibility to ensure that our laws are obeyed by everyone. This country is based on the equality of sexes, on the freedom of religion, freedom of expression, on tolerance. Everyone must adhere to these principles.”
“Fear has never been a good advisor, neither in our personal lives nor in our society. Cultures and societies that are shaped by fear will not get a grip on the future.”
“As to whether I believe that I have divided the country with my policies, I don’t believe that any country is alone in the world. I will always say that my refugee policy was the right thing to do. We can’t merely protect our own wealth, we can’t just think of ourselves. We are part of the world.”
Overall, it was great to read a politically based book to see how other countries handle their policies and communication with each other. It’s embarrassing to admit that Americans usually interpret everything through our own lens and hardly research other country’s successes regarding the handling of Covid or other productive policies. It was also somewhat comforting to be reminded that other countries deal with extreme socio-political issues like America does.
Also, I now know and will use the word demagogue: a political leader who seeks support by appealing to the desires and prejudices of ordinary people rather than by using rational argument.
lori_na's review
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
This is a very informative volume about Merkel's early and political life (as much as there is to know about this fiercely private person). I liked the writing style and the formatting. It's not entirely chronologically (at least as soon as we enter the political sphere) rather it's categorized by topic, and I think it worked really well. As an amateur on the German (and EU) political system, I would miss background information on that to better understand what's really going on, but it was really interesting seeing Merkel from an US perspective. I recommend doing a bit of background research on other persons and systems mentioned in here. There was some criticism or "maybe she could have handled this better" sprinkled in there but sometimes it felt a little too much in favor of Merkel. Although maybe that's just what happens when you try to unravel a person for 4 years. Generally, I liked it very much and learned a lot.
tamaralgage1's review against another edition
5.0
First let me say that I really enjoyed this book. It was well organized and written keeping a nice pace. I have not read anything by the author before and will certainly take a look at what else she has done.
In regard to the Angela Merkel, it was very interesting to read about her background and her rise to become the Chancellor of German. It's easy to believe that world events circle around USA. However this book rips the blinders off to see events from a different view. An extremely private person not prone to rhetoric and flamboyant speeches. She is a degreed scientists who was raised in East German. When the Berlin wall fell, a new world of opportunities where to a young Angela Merkel. If you have an interest in Biographies, Politics, and Global Affairs, this is a must read.
(BTW, I know of few people that has not expressed an opinion on Gun Control, Immigration, Economy, Global Warming (or not), … If you want to express your opinion, perhaps it is important to understand you are interested in politics. Therefore need to learn)
In regard to the Angela Merkel, it was very interesting to read about her background and her rise to become the Chancellor of German. It's easy to believe that world events circle around USA. However this book rips the blinders off to see events from a different view. An extremely private person not prone to rhetoric and flamboyant speeches. She is a degreed scientists who was raised in East German. When the Berlin wall fell, a new world of opportunities where to a young Angela Merkel. If you have an interest in Biographies, Politics, and Global Affairs, this is a must read.
(BTW, I know of few people that has not expressed an opinion on Gun Control, Immigration, Economy, Global Warming (or not), … If you want to express your opinion, perhaps it is important to understand you are interested in politics. Therefore need to learn)
vitsa's review
3.0
I really enjoyed learning more about Merkel and her life. The writing style didn’t really work for me. I found it a little irritating that the author was constantly assigning thoughts and feelings to her subject without any way to actually substantiate them.
bloemeke's review
2.0
I was quite hyped to pick up this book, but the more I read, the more I got disappointed. The main issue for me is that this book is clearly written from a US perspective. As a result the level of detail on Merkel's role in the EU is too limited. Furthermore, I got really annoyed by the bad pronunciation of non-English words and names (including Angela) in the audiobook.
aterp's review
4.0
Super interesting book. Learned more than I expected, a bit about life in East Germany as well, of which I knew very little, and a bit about the background of other world leaders such as Putin.
I really liked the format/chronology that the book is told in, as well.
Well written, interesting subjects, would recommend.
I really liked the format/chronology that the book is told in, as well.
Well written, interesting subjects, would recommend.
cook_memorial_public_library's review
5.0
A 2022 staff favorite recommended by Dorota. Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sthe%20chancellor%20marton__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold