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The Chancellor cover art

The Chancellor

Written by: Kati Marton
Narrated by: Alex Allwine, Kati Marton
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Publisher's Summary

The “captivating” (The New York Times), definitive biography of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, detailing the extraordinary rise and political brilliance of the most powerful—and elusive—woman in the world.

Angela Merkel has always been an outsider. A pastor’s daughter raised in Soviet-controlled East Germany, she spent her twenties working as a research chemist, entering politics only after the fall of the Berlin Wall. And yet within fifteen years, she had become chancellor of Germany and, before long, the unofficial leader of the West.

In this “masterpiece of discernment and insight” (The New York Times Book Review), acclaimed biographer Kati Marton sets out to pierce the mystery of Merkel’s unlikely ascent. With unparalleled access to the chancellor’s inner circle and a trove of records only recently come to light, she teases out the unique political genius that had been the secret to Merkel’s success. No modern leader so ably confronted Russian aggression, enacted daring social policies, and calmly unified an entire continent in an era when countries are becoming more divided. Again and again, she cleverly outmaneuvered strongmen like Putin and Trump, and weathered surprisingly complicated relationships with allies like Obama and Macron.

Famously private, the woman who emerges from this “impressively researched” (The Wall Street Journal) account is a role model for anyone interested in gaining and keeping power while staying true to one’s moral convictions. At once a “riveting” (Los Angeles Review of Books) political biography, an intimate human portrait, and a revelatory look at successful leadership in action, The Chancellor brings forth one of the most extraordinary women of our time.

©2021 Kati Marton. All rights reserved. (P)2021 imon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

What the critics say

“Kati Marton has come closer than anyone to unlocking the mystery of Angela Merkel, the most important politician of the twenty-first century." (George Packer, National Book Award-winning author of Last Best Hope)

“A compelling and memorable portrait. Angela Merkel’s life is a testament to the power of commitment, diligence, and the possibilities of politics. The Chancellor tells that story with insight and grace.” (Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of His Truth is Marching On)

“With her signature superpowers of rigorous research and unparalleled empathy, Marton brings us deep into the private sphere of Angela Merkel, one of the world’s most critical defenders of democracy.” (Eliza Griswold, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Amity and Prosperity)

What listeners say about The Chancellor

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mixed bag

the material is good; the narration makes it difficult to enjoy and absorb due to the monotone nature.

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A must read/listen

The remarkable story of the worlds most trusted and honest politician. Very informative and very interesting. A great lesson of recent history.

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Fantastic read

Inspiring and thought provoking. We can all learn something from Angela Merkel. A calm yet powerful leader with solid values and humility. We need women like her Canada and American politics.

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Remarkable account of a remarkable woman

Excellently paced, well-researched and compellingly narrated. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in dispassionate leadership.

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This book truly made me cry

I lived in Germany for part of her time as chancellor. Her style not only defined her politics, but influenced an entire generation. Thank you, Frau Bundeskanzler

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Amazing Book

An amazing book, after 16 years of seeing Angela Merkel in politics, I thought I knew her. But boy was I wrong, I learned so much about her and, why she did what she did. Highly Recommended!

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