Freedom

Essential reading … remarkable – Financial TimesSurprisingly fast-paced … Illuminating – The New York Times Book ReviewFreedom reminds us that another politics, humanist and humble, can exist – Washington PostAll the human qualities that made Merkel a likable and liked leader are in this book: the lack of showmanship, the understated sense of humour, the dedication to building alliances and forging compromises – The GuardianA rigorous and sober assessment of a groundbreaking career – Kirkus ReviewsAn engrossing read … I have always admired Merkel. This book only burnished my respect – Nicola Sturgeon, for The New StatesmanA great accomplishment … A wonderful reflection from you of this extraordinary sweep of history that you witnessed – Barack Obama, in conversation with Merkel at an event for Politics and ProseCaptivating glimpses into her encounters with other world leaders – The TelegraphYou understand better just what Merkel faced and how so many of the other leaders came to depend on her calm – Foreign PolicyCandid and sometimes gripping – The i Paper

Angela Merkel served as the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany from 2005 to 2021, and was the first woman in the country’s most powerful office. Born in 1954 in Hamburg and raised in the GDR, she studied physics and earned a doctorate in physics. She was elected to the German Bundestag in 1990. From 1991 to 1994, she was the Federal Minister for Women and Youth; from 1994 to 1998, the Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety; and from 2000 to 2018, she was the leader of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany. In 2021, she ended her active political career.