Merkel's Law: Wisdom from the Woman Who Led the Free World

by Melissa Eddy Narrated by Lisa Flanagan

Overview

In the vein of Notorious RBG, a fun and inspiring biography filled with lessons from the most powerful woman in the world, based on more than a decade's worth of coverage of German Chancellor Angela Merkel from New York Times Berlin correspondent Melissa Eddy.

Angela Merkel is a boss. A trailblazer. An icon of colorful suits. Formerly the new leader of the free world. With an entire hand gesture named after her (the “Merkel Diamond”) and celebrated in a viral meme for sparring with Trump, Angela Merkel spent a decade economically and politically revitalizing her country. The first woman chancellor of Germany and one of the longest-serving European leaders ever, Merkel's quiet resolve, calculated confidence, and extreme privacy around her personal life have made her a feminist role model for the ages. Merkel's Law is a revelatory look at an unlikely vanguard, and at the country she led for sixteen years.

No one is better positioned than New York Times Berlin correspondent Melissa Eddy to pull back the curtain on the woman who engineered Germany's rise to wealth, power, and an economy worth 3.8 trillion in USD. Drawing upon an unparalleled well of sources close to Merkel, Merkel's Law traces her childhood in East Germany as the daughter of a clergyman, her meteoric rise to power, and her more recent public acclaim-as well as the numerous setbacks she faced along the way both from political rivals and from men in her own party who scoffed at her ambition. Painting a portrait of a political genius, savvy businesswoman, and model for modern power, Merkel's Law is not only the story of her life, but the lessons we can learn from it.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"The wit and wisdom of Angela Merkel makes for inspiring reading and Melissa Eddy's book reminds us of how much we miss the former Chancellor's steady presence and dry humor on the world stage."
—Kati Marton, bestselling author of The Chancellor

Kirkus Reviews

2024-05-04
A New York Times Berlin correspondent explores the remarkable political tenure of former German chancellor Angela Merkel.

Before the election of Donald Trump in 2016, the U.S. was the global champion of liberal democracy. After that, many observers turned to Germany, headed by then-chancellor Merkel, as the new leader of the free world. Eddy examines Merkel’s life and political career not just in terms of what she achieved, but also in terms of what they can teach both leaders and citizens about how “to lead on any level, or simply to live with integrity.” At the heart of Merkel’s power was her ability to resist expectations to fit any molds. She never let the fact she was a female in a sexist, male-dominated government and society stand in her way. Instead, she focused intensely on the work of governing, brushing off superficial criticisms about her appearance and attire until they became nonissues. Turning weaknesses into strengths, she used every part of her unique background to her advantage. Eddy notes that Merkel’s training as a research scientist taught her to consider “all sides of an option,” even though doing so made her appear indecisive. She also remarks that Merkel’s outsider status as an East German taught her the art of building alliances, which later helped her save the European Union during the financial crisis of 2008. When the ex-chancellor allowed Syrian and African refugees into Germany between 2015 and 2016, she displayed not only a desire to move beyond Germany’s brutal Nazi past, but the moral courage to stand down opposition from critics. As Eddy honors the woman who helped rebuild and reshape a formerly divided country, she suggests that despite the messiness of the democratic process, it still offers the most humane way forward for all in an increasingly unstable world.

Good reading for chaotic times.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940191347448
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster
Publication date:	08/20/2024
Edition description:	Unabridged