by Kati Marton
First published 2021
Angela Merkel entered politics only after the Berlin Wall fell, leaving behind her career as a research chemist in East Germany. Kati Marton traces Merkel's remarkable transformation from political outsider to German Chancellor and unofficial leader of the Western world within just fifteen years. Drawing on exclusive access to Merkel's inner circle and newly available records, Marton reveals the strategic mind behind Merkel's political victories. The book shows how Merkel confronted Russian aggression, implemented bold social policies, and held Europe together during an era of increasing division. Marton examines Merkel's complex relationships with world leaders including Putin, Trump, Obama, and Macron, demonstrating how she consistently outmaneuvered opponents while maintaining her principles. This account reveals a famously private woman who managed to gain and retain power without compromising her moral convictions, offering insights into effective leadership during turbulent times.
Genres: biography, history, political-science, 21st-century
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, underdog
Setting: Berlin, East Germany, Russia
Period: Cold War, 21st Century
368 pages · Kindle Edition · Simon & Schuster