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The Rise of the Iron Men
The future of democracy is uncertain.
Populist world leaders are dominating headlines and creating a new kind of politics that challenges democratic values and the liberal order.
They influence the media, exert economic power, appoint judges, cultivate populism and seek to undermine the very institutions which brought them into power.
In this gripping narrative, Misha Glenny, journalist and best-selling author of McMafia, tells the stories of six strongmen’s unexpected rise.
A Somethin’ Else production for Audible Originals.
This is an Audible Original Podcast. Free for members. You can download all 6 episodes to your Library now.
©2020 Audible, Ltd. (P)2020 Audible, Ltd.
Populist world leaders are dominating headlines and creating a new kind of politics that challenges democratic values and the liberal order.
They influence the media, exert economic power, appoint judges, cultivate populism and seek to undermine the very institutions which brought them into power.
In this gripping narrative, Misha Glenny, journalist and best-selling author of McMafia, tells the stories of six strongmen’s unexpected rise.
A Somethin’ Else production for Audible Originals.
This is an Audible Original Podcast. Free for members. You can download all 6 episodes to your Library now.
©2020 Audible, Ltd. (P)2020 Audible, Ltd.
Audiobook
Published August 18, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 22, 2020
A brief, insightful overview of the stories of 6 of the ‘iron men’ around the world; these include: Victor Orban, Rodrigo Duterte, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Jair Bolsonaro, Narendra Modi and Boris Johnson. There are 6 episodes to the programme, with each episode focussing on the rise of a particular iron man in recent times, the nature of their regime today and their handling of COVID19. There are subtle comparisons along the way that help to identify the common characteristics of these populist leaders, and the factors that help to bring them about.
On the whole, I found it a beneficial listen. But, there was one episode which I felt should have been better researched - particularly because it centres around such a controversial and significant event. Which episode that is, I have decided not to mention.
On the whole, I found it a beneficial listen. But, there was one episode which I felt should have been better researched - particularly because it centres around such a controversial and significant event. Which episode that is, I have decided not to mention.
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August 29, 2020The iron men are always looking for some foreign influence to blame [...] identify one or two groups and use them as scapegoats.
This is a series by Misha Glenny, looking at the rise of populist leaders around the world. Also looks at how Covid-19 affected their power.
2/6 listened to thus far.
The first part, Public Enemy No. 1, focuses on Viktor Orbán's rise to power, from student activist to radical right-wing leader.
The section part, Duterte Harry, focuses on Rodrigo Duterte, President of the Philippines.
This is a series by Misha Glenny, looking at the rise of populist leaders around the world. Also looks at how Covid-19 affected their power.
2/6 listened to thus far.
The first part, Public Enemy No. 1, focuses on Viktor Orbán's rise to power, from student activist to radical right-wing leader.
The section part, Duterte Harry, focuses on Rodrigo Duterte, President of the Philippines.
September 11, 2020
Podcast - Misha looks at 6 different 'Iron Men' across 6 episodes. Discovering their rise to power, dismantling of the system that got them there & their handling of COVID-19. Well researched, insightful and disturbing.
October 23, 2020
Populist world leaders are dominating headlines and creating a novel type of politics that challenges democratic values and the liberal order.
Misha Glenny, journalist and successful author of McMafia, tells the stories of six iron men. These are:
Victor Orban,
Rodrigo Duterte,
Recep Tayyip Erdogan,
Jair Bolsonaro,
Narendra Modi, and
Boris Johnson.
They influence the media, exert economic control, appoint judges, cultivate populism and seek to undermine the very institutions which brought them into power.
It's carefully researched and comprehensive, but not overly long.
The choice of including Johnson shows how he and Cummings employ the identical methods as the more insidious dictators to achieve the same outcomes.
Misha Glenny, journalist and successful author of McMafia, tells the stories of six iron men. These are:
Victor Orban,
Rodrigo Duterte,
Recep Tayyip Erdogan,
Jair Bolsonaro,
Narendra Modi, and
Boris Johnson.
They influence the media, exert economic control, appoint judges, cultivate populism and seek to undermine the very institutions which brought them into power.
It's carefully researched and comprehensive, but not overly long.
The choice of including Johnson shows how he and Cummings employ the identical methods as the more insidious dictators to achieve the same outcomes.
May 24, 2021
Another great collection of podcasts from Misha Glenny!
November 24, 2020
How do you sell Audible some original content? Apparently, you start with a buzzword ("Iron Men" say). Then, you look for a few examples, however tenuous, and make them fit your narrative, even if it means putting a round peg in a square hole. Finally, you cover said examples in as little detail as possible and call it job done.
What could have been a fascinating topic is instead a wasted opportunity, because the author barely scratches the surface. And what is actually covered lacks substance and real analysis.
At least it was free.
What could have been a fascinating topic is instead a wasted opportunity, because the author barely scratches the surface. And what is actually covered lacks substance and real analysis.
At least it was free.
August 19, 2021
The author compares dictators to the most benign and open president this country has had in at least the last 100 years. While leftists burned cities, and liberal Democrats applauded it, Trump maintained his composure and urged local and state governments to deal with it. He could have mobilized the military and put the riots and looting down in days, but he didn't. Compare that with mayor Daily in 1968; he ordered shoot to kill.
The author is deranged to make these comparisons.
The author is deranged to make these comparisons.
September 14, 2020
I really enjoyed this. I'm not so worldly wise as I once was. In fact I'm rather out of touch these days, as I don't watch news or read papers or anything like that any more. I haven't done for years. So when I find an author whose content skirts over so much in short bite-sized chunks, I'm all over it.
The Iron Men:
- Viktor Orbán (Hungary)
- Rodrigo Duterte (Philippines)
- Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (Turkey)
- Jair Bolsonaro (Brazil)
- Narendra Modi (India)
- Boris Johnson (UK)
I added that list because I would have liked to have seen a list to refer back to and get the name spellings, but there wasn't a list in the synopsis or in any of the reviews.
Misha Glenny's style, and the production style of this podcast, really works well for me and it has whetted my appetite to listen to more. To that end, I've added a couple of the books mentioned in these episodes and am about to listen to one now on my weekly shop -- Peter Pomerantzev's Nothing Is True and Everything Is Possible: The Surreal Heart of the New Russia - okay, so it's not the same Pomerantzev book that was mentioned (that was This Is Not Propaganda: Adventures in the War Against Reality), but I learned of that author through these podcasts.
I'll come and clean and say that the only one of the six iron men I had heard of was BoJo. Well, I did say I wasn't worldly wise!
The Iron Men:
- Viktor Orbán (Hungary)
- Rodrigo Duterte (Philippines)
- Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (Turkey)
- Jair Bolsonaro (Brazil)
- Narendra Modi (India)
- Boris Johnson (UK)
I added that list because I would have liked to have seen a list to refer back to and get the name spellings, but there wasn't a list in the synopsis or in any of the reviews.
Misha Glenny's style, and the production style of this podcast, really works well for me and it has whetted my appetite to listen to more. To that end, I've added a couple of the books mentioned in these episodes and am about to listen to one now on my weekly shop -- Peter Pomerantzev's Nothing Is True and Everything Is Possible: The Surreal Heart of the New Russia - okay, so it's not the same Pomerantzev book that was mentioned (that was This Is Not Propaganda: Adventures in the War Against Reality), but I learned of that author through these podcasts.
I'll come and clean and say that the only one of the six iron men I had heard of was BoJo. Well, I did say I wasn't worldly wise!
November 17, 2020
[Audiobook] A brilliant audible original about how 6 "iron men" came to power and how they've handled the Covid crisis, some to their own gain. The best episodes for me were the Erdogan, Bolsonaro and of course the Boris episode. This is a new road to power that's only been possible through social media, with bots and fake accounts filling apps with lies and misinformation. The tools that were meant to liberate us are instead destroying us. The rise of the right is prevalent throughout the world. Trump's down but there's a few left to go.
May 22, 2021
Loved this. Great audio podcast. The similarities in far right wing leaders rising in popularity across the world sounds a warning bell for the UK. If listeners cannot see/hear the ominous portents under Mr Johnson then they are choosing to ignore it like much of right wing Germany in the 1930s.
The chapters on each leader are drawn from evidence and well researched with quotes and interviews to supplement Glenny’s own observations.
Worth a listen for anybody with an interest in world politics.
The chapters on each leader are drawn from evidence and well researched with quotes and interviews to supplement Glenny’s own observations.
Worth a listen for anybody with an interest in world politics.
October 25, 2020
Enjoyed this. Partly as a reminder that in the UK we don't do a great job of covering global issues unless you really go hunting for it. And also as a reminder for how fragile democracy is.
Some are irked by the link with Johnson to this group. I'd suggest being really open minded to the content. Because when you listen to his "career" summarised it is quite alarming.
Some are irked by the link with Johnson to this group. I'd suggest being really open minded to the content. Because when you listen to his "career" summarised it is quite alarming.
August 28, 2020
Great podcast! Finally someone says what's obvious: Boris Johnson is a modern-day wannabe dictator of the likes of Erdogan, Viktor Orban and co! I hope they'll add additional episodes for Trump, Putin, Lukaschenko,...
September 16, 2020
Interesting podcast about the rise in the political phenomenon of iron men who are all male politicians who share similar characteristics and ways of working to become increasingly more popular whilst all sorts of nefarious and deadly hijinks are handled behind the scenes.
February 9, 2021
Pretty interesting. Each episode focusses on a different world leader "Iron Man". How they came to power and the problems with their rise to power and regime. Similar to Misha Glenny's other series about Putin but less in-depth. But overall good.
August 31, 2020
Well summarized if not enlightening
August 31, 2020
Decent overview of the careers of 6 current authoritarian rulers, necessarily shallow due to length.
March 19, 2021
Good summary of the troubling global rise of the strongmen: recommended to anyone interested in current affairs and politics.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews