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Personality and Power by Ian Kershaw

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Personality and Power by Ian Kershaw

One of New York Magazine's Most Anticipated Books of the Fall

How far can a single leader alter the course of history?


From one of the leading historians of twentieth-century Europe and the author of the definitive biography of Hitler, Personality and Power is a masterful reckoning with how character conspired with opportunity to create the modern age's uniquely devastating despots--and how and why other countries found better paths. The modern era saw the emergence of individuals who had command over a terrifying array of instruments of control, persuasion and death. Whole societies were reshaped and wars were fought, often with a merciless contempt for the most basic norms. At the summit of these societies were leaders whose personalities somehow enabled them to do whatever they wished, regardless of the consequences for others.

Ian Kershaw's new book is a compelling, lucid and challenging attempt to understand these rulers, whether those operating on the widest stage (Lenin, Stalin, Hitler, Mussolini) or with a more national impact (Tito, Franco). What was it about these leaders, and the times in which they lived, that allowed them such untrammelled and murderous power? And what brought that era to an end? In a contrasting group of profiles--from Churchill to de Gaulle, Adenauer to Gorbachev and Thatcher to Kohl)--Kershaw uses his exceptional skills as an iconic historian to explore how strikingly different figures wielded power.
Sir Ian Kershaw is one of the UK's most distinguished historians. His most famous books include Hitler, Fateful Choices and The End. The first volume in his history of modern Europe, To Hell and Back, was described by the Observer as 'superb... likely to become a classic' and by Harold Evans in The New York Times as 'chilling epic-size history... should be required reading'. He lives in Manchester.

Sir Ian Kershaw is one of the UK's most distinguished historians. His most famous books include Hitler, Fateful Choices and The End. The first volume in his history of modern Europe, To Hell and Back, was described by the Observer as 'superb... likely to become and classic' and by Harold Evans in the New York Times as 'chilling epic-size history... should be required reading'. He lives in Manchester.

SKU Unavailable
ISBN 13 9781594203459
ISBN 10 1594203458
Title Personality and Power
Author Ian Kershaw
Condition Unavailable
Binding Type Hardback
Publisher Penguin Putnam Inc
Year published 2022-11-15
Number of pages 512
Cover note Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.