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Angela Merkel: A Chancellorship Forged in Crisis
Angela Merkel was already unique when she became German chancellor: the first female leader of Europe’s biggest economy, the first from former communist East Germany and the first born after World War II. Since 2010, the debt crisis that spread from Greece to the euro region and the world economy has propelled her to center-stage, making Merkel the dominant politician in the struggle to preserve Europe’s economic model and its single currency. Yet the Protestant pastor’s daughter is often viewed as enigmatic and hard-to-predict, a misreading that took hold as she resisted global pressure for grand gestures to counter the crisis. Having turned the fall of the Berlin Wall to her advantage, Merkel is trying to get history on her side again after reaching the fundamental decision to save the euro, the crowning achievement of post-war European unity. Merkel has brought Europe to a crossroads. Germany’s economic might gives her unprecedented power to set the direction for the European Union’s 500 million people. What’s at stake is whether she will persuade them to follow the German lead.
Angela Merkel: A Chancellorship Forged in Crisis is the definitive new biography of the world’s most powerful woman. Delving into Merkel’s past, the authors explain the motives behind her drive to remake Europe for the age of globalization, her economic role models and the experiences under communism that color her decisions. For the first time in English, Merkel is fully placed in her European context. Through exclusive interviews with leading policy makers and Merkel confidants, the book reveals the behind-the-scenes drama of the crisis that came to dominate her chancellorship, her prickly relationship with the U.S. and admiration for Eastern Europe. Written by two long-standing Merkel watchers, the book documents how her decisions and vision – both works in progress – are shaping a pivotal moment in European history.
233 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 5, 2013
18 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
About the author
Alan Crawford
25 books2 followersAlan Crawford is British biographer, author, and. historian of the decorative arts and architecture, notably on the Arts and Crafts movement.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 19, 2016
Before Angela Merkel was named Person of the Year by Time magazine in 2015, Merkel had long been recognized as a leader among leaders, one whose opinion was not just sought, but absolutely couldn’t be ignored. Could she be the kind of leader we ought to emulate? It wasn’t just her manner of soothing her own electorate that Germany could, in fact, take hundreds of thousands of migrants, changing the face of their community and revitalizing it at the same time. It was the fact that she’d led the European Community through a difficult debt crisis and managed to get a contentious Europe to hew to her insistence upon debt ceilings as a percentage of GNP.
Several pieces in the The New Yorker on Merkel (e.g., George Packer's Dec 2014) add to our understanding, though seem to underestimate Angela Merkel. Packer, taking the line proposed by former U.S. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, suggests that Merkel’s leadership through the euro crisis has been “less than inspiring” and the euro zone was saved only by the emergency intervention of the European Central Bank led by Italian economist Mario Draghi, who had been extensively lobbied by the Americans. The authors of this book, however, point out that Merkel approached the crisis with a different set of attitudes toward what caused the crisis and what was necessary to fix it.
Czuczka and Crawford give a tantalizing account of Merkel turning to the work of Polish-born mathematician Benoit Mandelbrot, then teaching at Yale, to understand the workings of the financial markets. Mandelbrot wrote a piece in Scientific American (1999) entitled “A Multifractal Walk down Wall Street,” later expanded into The (Mis) Behavior of Markets: A Fractal View of Risk, Ruin, and Reward (2004), co-authored with Richard L. Hudson, a former managing editor of Wall Street Journal’s European edition. “Chapters have subtitles including “How the operations of mere chance can be used to study a financial market” and “Orthodox financial theory is riddled with false assumptions and wrong results.”” One can imagine how this bolstered Merkel’s insistence upon commonsense regulation of banking and financial instruments.
Merkel’s personal style of 80% listening and 20% speaking, as well as her slow (some call it “delaying”), step-by-step trial-and-error “scientific” approach to decision-making has meant she has been able to change her mind when necessary, and adopt a policy she had not previously supported, all without being personally attacked as flip-flopping. She has been able to carry her electorate along with “root” changes in government administration, tax policy, and economic and societal direction. In addition, her reliance on a few close-mouthed advisors, closed-door negotiations, and restrained personal style have not given opponents much of a target. Vituperative postings on YouTube that give voice to those who oppose her migrant policies appear to play to a minority as she enjoys record high approval ratings in Germany and in Europe generally, particularly among the eastern Bloc countries.
Crawford and Czuczka point out innumerable instances when Merkel managed to emerge from a political scuffle victorious, from her defeat of Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, to allowing David Cameron to wander off on his own while she consolidated her leadership of the EU, shifting the center of gravity from Franco-German to Germany after the addition to the EU of several eastern European countries.
The Eastern Europeans “are acutely aware that systems can collapse” and have experienced collapse in their lifetimes, which may be why they appreciate Merkel’s “commonsense” approach to rebuilding “from the root” systems that are failing. Merkel seems to be creating an entirely new coalition of formerly weak European states that may emerge as a bloc of enormous vitality in comparison to the formerly wealthy colonists of western Europe who still seem intent upon protecting their wealth rather than creating new wealth. (America take note!) Merkel is focused on staying relevant and prosperous in a future that includes the rise of China and India and other emerging economies which are experiencing growth rates that may sideline the centrality of Europe in decision making.
Merkel has a small portrait of Catherine the Great on her office desk in the chancellery. Catherine “was courageous and accomplished many things under difficult circumstances,” Merkel said when asked. Catherine also ruled Russia alone for 34 years. Merkel has told close associates that she will not run again for chancellor and may even leave before her term is finished in 2017. “Mutti” Merkel has changed the face of politics in Europe during her term and enjoys unprecedented popularity despite the static of vociferous opponents. It is difficult to imagine any other person we know governing with the quiet authority Merkel radiates.
This book is a very useful, insightful, and readable introduction to Merkel’s thinking, style, and political deal-making in her early terms as German chancellor, and gives us some idea of what was happening in Europe during that time. It includes biographical snippets and telling photographs of key moments in Merkel’s accession to and consolidation of power. For Americans, it may be an indispensable guide to understanding how Merkel is perceived by member EU countries. American–centric reporting misses a great deal of her appeal. Two journalists immersed in Berlin politics, and whose home countries (U.K. and U.S.) do not support Merkel’s policies, come away admiring of what she has been able to accomplish. Is Merkel the great politician of our time?
"We have to be a bit strict with each other at the moment so that in the end we are all successful together."Merkel’s record as Chancellor in Germany has few book-length analyses, but this one, written by two Berlin-based journalists for Bloomberg News, is extremely useful for understanding the basis of her style and success as a leader, while pointing out areas other European leaders do not agree with Merkel’s direction and methods. If Merkel lived in the U.S., we’d already have several books out on her rise to the top leadership post. This book, published in 2013 after the EU was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2012, is specific to how Merkel steered the EU through the debt crisis amid much political maneuvering.
Several pieces in the The New Yorker on Merkel (e.g., George Packer's Dec 2014) add to our understanding, though seem to underestimate Angela Merkel. Packer, taking the line proposed by former U.S. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, suggests that Merkel’s leadership through the euro crisis has been “less than inspiring” and the euro zone was saved only by the emergency intervention of the European Central Bank led by Italian economist Mario Draghi, who had been extensively lobbied by the Americans. The authors of this book, however, point out that Merkel approached the crisis with a different set of attitudes toward what caused the crisis and what was necessary to fix it.
Czuczka and Crawford give a tantalizing account of Merkel turning to the work of Polish-born mathematician Benoit Mandelbrot, then teaching at Yale, to understand the workings of the financial markets. Mandelbrot wrote a piece in Scientific American (1999) entitled “A Multifractal Walk down Wall Street,” later expanded into The (Mis) Behavior of Markets: A Fractal View of Risk, Ruin, and Reward (2004), co-authored with Richard L. Hudson, a former managing editor of Wall Street Journal’s European edition. “Chapters have subtitles including “How the operations of mere chance can be used to study a financial market” and “Orthodox financial theory is riddled with false assumptions and wrong results.”” One can imagine how this bolstered Merkel’s insistence upon commonsense regulation of banking and financial instruments.
Merkel’s personal style of 80% listening and 20% speaking, as well as her slow (some call it “delaying”), step-by-step trial-and-error “scientific” approach to decision-making has meant she has been able to change her mind when necessary, and adopt a policy she had not previously supported, all without being personally attacked as flip-flopping. She has been able to carry her electorate along with “root” changes in government administration, tax policy, and economic and societal direction. In addition, her reliance on a few close-mouthed advisors, closed-door negotiations, and restrained personal style have not given opponents much of a target. Vituperative postings on YouTube that give voice to those who oppose her migrant policies appear to play to a minority as she enjoys record high approval ratings in Germany and in Europe generally, particularly among the eastern Bloc countries.
"The supreme illustration of Merkel’s ability to pull off a reversal without incurring political damage was her overnight decision to ditch a planned extension of the lifespan of German’s nuclear power stations…Merkel the scientist said she had been convinced by the weight of evidence provided by the worse nuclear disaster since Chernobyl."
Crawford and Czuczka point out innumerable instances when Merkel managed to emerge from a political scuffle victorious, from her defeat of Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, to allowing David Cameron to wander off on his own while she consolidated her leadership of the EU, shifting the center of gravity from Franco-German to Germany after the addition to the EU of several eastern European countries.
The Eastern Europeans “are acutely aware that systems can collapse” and have experienced collapse in their lifetimes, which may be why they appreciate Merkel’s “commonsense” approach to rebuilding “from the root” systems that are failing. Merkel seems to be creating an entirely new coalition of formerly weak European states that may emerge as a bloc of enormous vitality in comparison to the formerly wealthy colonists of western Europe who still seem intent upon protecting their wealth rather than creating new wealth. (America take note!) Merkel is focused on staying relevant and prosperous in a future that includes the rise of China and India and other emerging economies which are experiencing growth rates that may sideline the centrality of Europe in decision making.
“I have a very clear vision of what Europe should undertake, and must undertake, so the people in Europe can continue to live in prosperity.”
Merkel has a small portrait of Catherine the Great on her office desk in the chancellery. Catherine “was courageous and accomplished many things under difficult circumstances,” Merkel said when asked. Catherine also ruled Russia alone for 34 years. Merkel has told close associates that she will not run again for chancellor and may even leave before her term is finished in 2017. “Mutti” Merkel has changed the face of politics in Europe during her term and enjoys unprecedented popularity despite the static of vociferous opponents. It is difficult to imagine any other person we know governing with the quiet authority Merkel radiates.
This book is a very useful, insightful, and readable introduction to Merkel’s thinking, style, and political deal-making in her early terms as German chancellor, and gives us some idea of what was happening in Europe during that time. It includes biographical snippets and telling photographs of key moments in Merkel’s accession to and consolidation of power. For Americans, it may be an indispensable guide to understanding how Merkel is perceived by member EU countries. American–centric reporting misses a great deal of her appeal. Two journalists immersed in Berlin politics, and whose home countries (U.K. and U.S.) do not support Merkel’s policies, come away admiring of what she has been able to accomplish. Is Merkel the great politician of our time?
March 5, 2018
Great introduction to Merkel and her story till 2013
October 3, 2021
Alle in dieser Biografie enthaltenen Informationen sind leicht auf Wikipedia zu finden.
September 19, 2013
This is a solid investigation into the life of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and primarily her actions and reactions to the financial crisis that began in 2008. While not an extensive biography, which would be impossible at this stage of time, this book does introduce Merkel, and most importantly sheds a light onto why and how she makes decisions.
Written by two Berlin based Bloomburg journalists, this biography is mostly sympathetic to Merkel. It can be argued that she has been the most influential politician in the world, over the last five years. The writers go to lengths to illustrate how her background meets a traditional German understanding of financial management. Merkel, who grew up in northwest East Germany, the daughter of a Lutheran pastor and a trained scientist, with a Ph.D in physics, is shown to bring her life experiences to bear on Germany, the European Union and the aftermath of the global financial crisis of 2008. The writers go to some length to show a German approach to state finance, built out of the experience of the Wiemar Republic is balanced against the Anglo approach, with its approaches to consumer credit.
The chapters in this non chronological book are given titles that correspond to Biblical books, with not only fits the daughter of a Lutheran pastor and practicing Christian and leader of the Christian Democrat Party, but correspond to particular challenges the Merkel has faced: from the European south, the United States and her relationship to two different Presidents, and challenges at home. The reader should come to an understanding of why Merkel makes decisions the way she does, and how she intends to approach future challenges. Again, this is not a comprehensive biography, but an interesting one, nonetheless.
Written by two Berlin based Bloomburg journalists, this biography is mostly sympathetic to Merkel. It can be argued that she has been the most influential politician in the world, over the last five years. The writers go to lengths to illustrate how her background meets a traditional German understanding of financial management. Merkel, who grew up in northwest East Germany, the daughter of a Lutheran pastor and a trained scientist, with a Ph.D in physics, is shown to bring her life experiences to bear on Germany, the European Union and the aftermath of the global financial crisis of 2008. The writers go to some length to show a German approach to state finance, built out of the experience of the Wiemar Republic is balanced against the Anglo approach, with its approaches to consumer credit.
The chapters in this non chronological book are given titles that correspond to Biblical books, with not only fits the daughter of a Lutheran pastor and practicing Christian and leader of the Christian Democrat Party, but correspond to particular challenges the Merkel has faced: from the European south, the United States and her relationship to two different Presidents, and challenges at home. The reader should come to an understanding of why Merkel makes decisions the way she does, and how she intends to approach future challenges. Again, this is not a comprehensive biography, but an interesting one, nonetheless.
October 14, 2013
Angela Merkel by Alan Crawford and Tony Czuczka cover the European financial crisis from the perspective of the German Chancellor. Delving into Merkel’s past and looking at how she grew up informed how the chancellor dealt with the challenges she faced in office. The reader will not find a ton of information on Merkel’s rise to power but if you are looking for a book on her foreign policy and economic policy you will find it here. The book keeps to broad themes and does not go in depth in too many places but by the end you do have a sense of what drive’s Merkel and the outlook in a post-cold war world of the role that Germany could and likely will play. It is interesting to note the chapter names reference biblical books in a nod to the preacher parent and leader of the Christian Democrats that Merkel is which leaves a playful reference for each chapter. Overall a good first look at Merkel if you just want a quick overview on one of the more influential world leaders in the international scene today.
October 5, 2014
So yes, if you are busy with a Masters thesis in economics or history, this is the book for you. You get to score hundreds of technical references to published material. You can end up with a big fat biography. But if you are looking for insight into Angela Merkel - as I was - to get a feel for Angela the person, you may find a few crumbs. And to wade through the financial crisis 50 times to discover that Angela has a temper, disappears to a country house for week ends and kept her first married name is a huge ball ache. I suspect that the author of this book has spent no more time with Angela than I have. It is basically a report about reports - a summary of material in the public domain. Very disappointing and didn't meet my expectations.
September 25, 2015
I wanted to know more about this woman and the financial crisis in Greece that is having such a worldwide impact. After reading this, I believe that I do. The authors provide a balanced view of her, with neither a critical nor complimentary tone.
According to the book, she exhibits a measured procedural decision making style and isn't afraid of changing her mind if presented with reasoned argument. True to her training as a physicist.
Sections on the Greece and Euro curses were written so I could understand the causes and implications of the alternatives available.
A thorough review of Merkel's political career.
According to the book, she exhibits a measured procedural decision making style and isn't afraid of changing her mind if presented with reasoned argument. True to her training as a physicist.
Sections on the Greece and Euro curses were written so I could understand the causes and implications of the alternatives available.
A thorough review of Merkel's political career.
July 29, 2013
Solid account of Angela Merkel's chancellorship for an international audience. The focus lies on the retelling of her role during the financial and the EURO crises. The book is strong on Merkel's European and foreign policy. Still, it is somewhat marred by its lack of focus on Merkel's rise to power, her role as party leader and Germany's domestic politics.
January 14, 2017
Quite a lot of economic detail, however I still found it an interesting portrait of this unlikely leader. well worth reading if you're into European contemporary politics.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews