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Strongmen (Cronache)
L’intellettuale indiano Vijay Prashad ha invitato alcuni scrittori che vivono in importanti democrazie (Stati Uniti, India, Turchia, Russia, Filippine) a riflettere sull’elezione alla presidenza dei rispettivi paesi di leader populisti che stanno forzando le forme dell’esercizio democratico. Esiste un minimo comun denominatore tra Trump, Modi, Erdogan, Putin e Duterte, con la loro retorica della forza, il loro nazionalismo dilagante e il loro odio per il diverso? La velocità con cui il fenomeno si sta espandendo su scala mondiale ha inoltre indotto nottetempo a chiedere un contributo originale sul Brasile di Bolsonaro. Eve Ensler si insinua quindi sotto la pelle (e sotto la chioma…) del presidente degli Stati Uniti Donald Trump. Danish Husain ci racconta la storia del Primo Ministro indiano Narendra Modi. Burhan Sönmez rovista tra i particolari della sconcertante carriera del presidente turco Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Ninotchka Rosca denuncia l’universo maschilista di Rodrigo Duterte, mentre Lara Vapnyar mette a nudo il truce sessismo di Vladimir Putin. Infine, Luiz Ruffato esplora la patina “mitica” di Jair Bolsonaro.
116 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 29, 2018
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282 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 24, 2018
am kinda disappointed by the quality of these essays
August 19, 2018
This short collection of essays is introduced by a structural Marxist summary of the current global political environment. It’s a bit of an inflammatory rant and I don’t think it serves its purpose well. The first essay is by Eve Ensler and is disappointing. It’s a ‘Trump fable’ which I found puerile and so quickly skimmed through it. The second essay, by Danish Hussain, is about India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, focusing on his time as Chief Minister in Gujarat.
The two most interesting essays for me are those on Turkey’s President Erdogan and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. The rise of populist leaders across the globe is worrying and both of these men exemplify their shared tenet of ‘if you’re against me, you’re against the nation’. Putin is seen by his people as having restored Russian pride and they turn a blind eye to his ruthlessness and the curbing of only recently gained freedoms. Both have egos the size of their countries and both are misogynists. Erdogan has stated many times that women are not equal to men. In Russia, husbands who beat their wives previously went to jail. Now they receive a paltry fine which, as it hurts the whole household, acts a barrier to women reporting the crime. And yet Putin’s cynical and stomach churning reinvention as ‘sexy alpha male’ appears to resonate with many, including young women. [Because my review copy is a draft, there are no photos of Putin’s bare chest and for that I’m exceedingly grateful!]. The final essay is on President Duterte of the Philippines whose enthusiasm for dictatorship appears to be flagging right at the moment.
All of the populist leaders discussed here have many things in common. For a summary, see my review of or read What Is Populism? The stability of our fragile world is increasingly falling into their hands and of that we should be very afraid. I’m not sure this collection of essays adds anything fresh to the debate except that it’s always interesting to read different points of view. For me, it’s just okay so 3 stars.
With thanks to OR Books and NetGalley for a free review copy.
The two most interesting essays for me are those on Turkey’s President Erdogan and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. The rise of populist leaders across the globe is worrying and both of these men exemplify their shared tenet of ‘if you’re against me, you’re against the nation’. Putin is seen by his people as having restored Russian pride and they turn a blind eye to his ruthlessness and the curbing of only recently gained freedoms. Both have egos the size of their countries and both are misogynists. Erdogan has stated many times that women are not equal to men. In Russia, husbands who beat their wives previously went to jail. Now they receive a paltry fine which, as it hurts the whole household, acts a barrier to women reporting the crime. And yet Putin’s cynical and stomach churning reinvention as ‘sexy alpha male’ appears to resonate with many, including young women. [Because my review copy is a draft, there are no photos of Putin’s bare chest and for that I’m exceedingly grateful!]. The final essay is on President Duterte of the Philippines whose enthusiasm for dictatorship appears to be flagging right at the moment.
All of the populist leaders discussed here have many things in common. For a summary, see my review of or read What Is Populism? The stability of our fragile world is increasingly falling into their hands and of that we should be very afraid. I’m not sure this collection of essays adds anything fresh to the debate except that it’s always interesting to read different points of view. For me, it’s just okay so 3 stars.
With thanks to OR Books and NetGalley for a free review copy.
December 10, 2019
A compilation of essays by different writers, Strongmen offers a peep into the rise of these men in their particular contexts and the opportunism that each has presented. The parallels are striking in markedly different political conditions. The pieces on Modi and Erdogan were well sketched.
The drawback of a book such as this one is that each author brings a different style and approach to their own essay, thus making the book seem starkly disjointed. Moreover, there isn't much by way of analysis or insight building in the book which leaves one wanting more. The biggest let down was Eve Ensler's piece on Trump. A big fan of her work otherwise, this particular essay seemed like a hackneyed attempt at creating a metaphor.
The drawback of a book such as this one is that each author brings a different style and approach to their own essay, thus making the book seem starkly disjointed. Moreover, there isn't much by way of analysis or insight building in the book which leaves one wanting more. The biggest let down was Eve Ensler's piece on Trump. A big fan of her work otherwise, this particular essay seemed like a hackneyed attempt at creating a metaphor.
December 16, 2018
This short collection of essays is introduced by a structural Marxist summary of the current global political environment. It’s a bit of an inflammatory rant and I don’t think it serves its purpose well. The first essay is by Eve Ensler and is disappointing. It’s a ‘Trump fable’ which I found puerile and so quickly skimmed through it. The second essay, by Danish Hussain, is about India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, focusing on his time as Chief Minister in Gujarat.
The two most interesting essays for me are those on Turkey’s President Erdogan and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. The rise of populist leaders across the globe is worrying and both of these men exemplify their shared tenet of ‘if you’re against me, you’re against the nation’. Putin is seen by his people as having restored Russian pride and they turn a blind eye to his ruthlessness and the curbing of only recently gained freedoms. Both have egos the size of their countries and both are misogynists. Erdogan has stated many times that women are not equal to men. In Russia, husbands who beat their wives previously went to jail. Now they receive a paltry fine which, as it hurts the whole household, acts a barrier to women reporting the crime. And yet Putin’s cynical and stomach churning reinvention as ‘sexy alpha male’ appears to resonate with many, including young women. [Because my review copy is a draft, there are no photos of Putin’s bare chest and for that I’m exceedingly grateful!]. The final essay is on President Duterte of the Philippines whose enthusiasm for dictatorship appears to be flagging right at the moment.
All of the populist leaders discussed here have many things in common. For a summary, see my review of or read What Is Populism? The stability of our fragile world is increasingly falling into their hands and of that we should be very afraid. I’m not sure this collection of essays adds anything fresh to the debate except that it’s always interesting to read different points of view. For me, it’s just okay so 3 stars.
With thanks to OR Books and NetGalley for a free review copy.
The two most interesting essays for me are those on Turkey’s President Erdogan and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. The rise of populist leaders across the globe is worrying and both of these men exemplify their shared tenet of ‘if you’re against me, you’re against the nation’. Putin is seen by his people as having restored Russian pride and they turn a blind eye to his ruthlessness and the curbing of only recently gained freedoms. Both have egos the size of their countries and both are misogynists. Erdogan has stated many times that women are not equal to men. In Russia, husbands who beat their wives previously went to jail. Now they receive a paltry fine which, as it hurts the whole household, acts a barrier to women reporting the crime. And yet Putin’s cynical and stomach churning reinvention as ‘sexy alpha male’ appears to resonate with many, including young women. [Because my review copy is a draft, there are no photos of Putin’s bare chest and for that I’m exceedingly grateful!]. The final essay is on President Duterte of the Philippines whose enthusiasm for dictatorship appears to be flagging right at the moment.
All of the populist leaders discussed here have many things in common. For a summary, see my review of or read What Is Populism? The stability of our fragile world is increasingly falling into their hands and of that we should be very afraid. I’m not sure this collection of essays adds anything fresh to the debate except that it’s always interesting to read different points of view. For me, it’s just okay so 3 stars.
With thanks to OR Books and NetGalley for a free review copy.
November 20, 2018
This is a mixed bag and likely that some essays will interest more than others but they are all well written and disturbing in different ways. I especially liked the essays on Erdogan and Putin. Eve Ensler (Vagina Monologues) writes an intriguing fable about Donald Trump which is disturbing in a different way than learning about killers in politics. I liked the different slants which meant each essay stood separate and each despot stayed an individual. This way they are clearly described within the context of their own type of horror. Hard to say this is a fun read but it's important that people know what these people are like.
I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley in return for an honest review.
I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley in return for an honest review.
April 18, 2020
This is a compact little book consisting of short portrayals of Putin, Erdogan, Duterte, Modi and Trump. These essays, which are by no means unbiased, demonstrate how these individuals used lies, intimidation, chaos, and charisma, to attain and maintain power. In the case of the first four you can also add murder of both citizens and opponents. I have read quite a bit about Trump and Putin, but my knowledge of Erdogan, Duterte and Modi was gleaned only from news reports, podcasts and references in other resources, so the book was enlightening for those individuals. The chapter about Trump is more of an allegory than a biography.
I will donate this book to the Berkley Public Library in Michigan, once libraries are again open.
I will donate this book to the Berkley Public Library in Michigan, once libraries are again open.
February 27, 2021
This small book is a collection of fables. The stories of five monsters across the globe i.e., Modi, Erdogan, Putin, Trump and Duterte. They, ostensibly, seem strongmen but they are not in the real sense because they have contributed a lot in destroying the social fabric of their countries. How they damaged their countries? The answers are in this book.
July 30, 2018
The essays on Modi and Erdogan are really amazing and informative. I found essay written on Trump a beautiful metaphorically written piece of writing ever. The essay on Duterte shocked me. He is a killer man. Overall a good and informative read.
October 14, 2020
This book wasn't what I thought it would be and was difficult to read especially the chapters on Modi and Erdogan with words that I had to guess how they should be pronounced. It would have been nice to a pronunciation guide.
August 20, 2022
It was not the book I was after (another „Strongmen“ by Ruth Ben-Ghiat), but it was a quick read. All of the subjects share dictatorial tendencies, but the essays are not of equal quality. I most enjoyed (for lack of a better word) the essays on Erdogan and Putin.
April 4, 2024
pretty much just a hit piece on modi, trump, erdogan, duterte, and putin. all of whom deserve it but each writing doesn't really tackle the poor policies of each politician but rather their character.
February 15, 2021
F'ing trump and his idols
December 16, 2020
The Trump chapter is a misfire but the others are interesting and provocative reads.
June 8, 2019
There are many things that make political essays great. The ability to discuss a politically relevant topic in a way that reverberates in an artistically and aesthetically significant way despite maintaining a partisan bent is one thing that distinguishes such writers from the rabble. In this book, there are five essays featuring the regimes of five leaders linked through the excesses and violence of their respective politics. These writers engage, not through nuanced discussion but through a detailed portrayal of the actions and the consequences of those actions to the parties, countries, and the peoples that are affected. It is largely pessimistic. And also very abstract and hard to grasp. Expositions about organizations and entities in these countries may go over the heads of those not even remotely familiar with the issues at hand. But other topics are viscerally familiar; drug war deaths, sectarian violence, terrorism- these themes that flash on our television screens daily are pronounced in an interconnected narrative tied directly to the hearts of these regimes. But, at the same time, despite the poor prognosis detailed by the authors, the crimes committed are shown in stark relief. Not to discourage or cause apprehension and fatalism. But to head off any calls for nuance and apologetics for these regimes. These autocrats are here to stay; therefore, we must learn to accept them instead of explaining them away. Resist them instead of ignoring them completely.
May 11, 2019
Una stellina in più per l'aggiunta da parte dell'editore italiano della parte su Bolsonaro, mezzo gradino più su delle altre insieme a quella che racconta Erdogan.
Mi aspettavo saggi critici che arricchissero la mia conoscenza di personaggi loschi e nebulosi, con i cui metodi e ideologie non vado affatto d'accordo, neppure marginalmente. Di due di questi (Modi e Duterte) confesso non sapevo proprio nulla ed ero particolarmente affamato di informazioni.
Alla fine, ogni articolo mi ha più o meno deluso. Orribile quello della Ensler su Trump, semplice dileggio vomitato senza remore. Prolisso ma senza approfondire il necessario quello su Modi. Sempliciotto e banale quello su Putin. Poco contestualizzata la parte su Duterte, mille nomi cento fatti poche spiegazioni. Erdogan e Bolsonaro contengono qualche dato in più, c'è una sensazione più chiara di approfondimento dalle fonti certe.
Per il resto, il tono è quello del Travaglio più livoroso che azzanna Berlusconi: accuse a profusione, qualche timido fatto citato, molto mito e 'si dice' a cui non mi sento sicuro ad aggrapparmi.
Pochino, ecco; una lettura troppo 'pasionaria' che forse semplicemente non faceva per me.
Mi aspettavo saggi critici che arricchissero la mia conoscenza di personaggi loschi e nebulosi, con i cui metodi e ideologie non vado affatto d'accordo, neppure marginalmente. Di due di questi (Modi e Duterte) confesso non sapevo proprio nulla ed ero particolarmente affamato di informazioni.
Alla fine, ogni articolo mi ha più o meno deluso. Orribile quello della Ensler su Trump, semplice dileggio vomitato senza remore. Prolisso ma senza approfondire il necessario quello su Modi. Sempliciotto e banale quello su Putin. Poco contestualizzata la parte su Duterte, mille nomi cento fatti poche spiegazioni. Erdogan e Bolsonaro contengono qualche dato in più, c'è una sensazione più chiara di approfondimento dalle fonti certe.
Per il resto, il tono è quello del Travaglio più livoroso che azzanna Berlusconi: accuse a profusione, qualche timido fatto citato, molto mito e 'si dice' a cui non mi sento sicuro ad aggrapparmi.
Pochino, ecco; una lettura troppo 'pasionaria' che forse semplicemente non faceva per me.
January 12, 2022
Interesting read. Eve Ender's fable about Trump is even more fitting in the age of COVID - 2 years after she wrote it.
Amazing to learn how many horrid leaders are in charge of countries and those who support them. Very eye opening.
Amazing to learn how many horrid leaders are in charge of countries and those who support them. Very eye opening.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews