Madeleine Albright
Once again, I have not lost count of the books I have read. #32 will share a review with #34, but this one - #33 - fully deserves its own post.
A paperback lent to me from my book-swapping friend A., "Prague Winter" is not merely an autobiography focusing on Madeleine Albright's childhood. It is also not merely a book about WWII and the years immediately preceding and following it, or yet another account of the horrors committed by the Nazis (and others) during those years.
It's all of it, and more. The book puts the author's family history in the context of her country of origin's history, and that in the wider context of European politics shaped by the contradicting ideologies of communism, capitalism and patriotism, with racism and anti-Semitism being by no means exclusive to just one nation.
While I knew a little bit about Madeleine Albright*, there was a lot more I didn't. She herself only learnt at the age of 59 that her family was originally Jewish and that a large number of her relatives were murdered in the Holocaust.
Her parents put the family's safety first, but her father was definitely not one to take a back seat in politics and current events; he talked to everyone he met, listened to their differing ideas and opinions, maintained his personal integrity during his entire career as a diplomat and later professor, raised a family and didn't take lightly the choices he made. The author loved both her parents dearly but was influenced mainly by her father's example.
Also, of course I knew (we were taught at school and also from my own reading) how the Nazis rose to power, how they started the second World War and all the atrocities they commited. But I didn't know what a pivotal role Czechoslovakia had played, and how the reluctance and misplaced trust of several of the other heads of state contributed to it all.
I find this an important book, as well researched as it is written. In the back, the book contains a useful list of personalities mentioned, and an even more useful timeline as well as extensive notes pointing to the sources of quotations and statements.
Next time I'll see friend A., I'll ask if she has more books written by Madeleine Albright.
*For instance, that she was a refugee herself, as I only learned from the unforgettable R-E-S-P-E-C-T campaign video. Sorry for the bad quality, it's the only one I found at a quick research on youtube.
I would love this book, I am sure of it. I well remember her only discovering at age 59 that she was from a Jewish family and that many of her relatives were murdered in the Holocaust. She had no idea! Thanks for this great review. Thoughtful and insightful, I hope many see it! In fact, I might just have to link to it myself!
ReplyDeleteYes, I imagine this makes a good read for you, Kay. To me, it is the right mix of personal and a wider scope, well based on facts, and whenever the author offers her own take on events or is not sure of how to interpret an event, she says so.
DeleteThank you for an excellent review - I hope it sparks many of your readers to learn more about Secretary Albright. When she was Secretary of State, I had a job that put me near her office occasionally and it was always exciting to catch a glimpse of her and see which item from her collection of pins she was wearing that day.
ReplyDeleteCeci
It must have been interesting to work near her office. What did you do?
DeleteShe wrote a book about those pins, her first one, I believe. I'd like to read that one as well.
Oh I was a liaison person with another agency, always trying to find ways to be useful, very very minor but interesting.
DeleteCeci
I have no idea what a liaison person does - I only know the term "liaison officer" from crime and detective novels :-)
DeleteBut it does sound interesting.
I would like this book, clearly a short window on her early life. Biographies and memoirs make up some of my favourite reading. Later in Life Ms Albright was loved and hated in equal measures. When she was in office as Secretary of State I admired her at the way she handled US foreign affairs. I remember the time very clearly.
ReplyDeleteYou would like this book, I am sure. I find biographies and memoirs very interesting, too. Yes, Madeleine Albright became something of a controversial figure because of some of the decisions she took and the things she said.
DeleteSounds interesting, so I've added it to my wish list at Audible. (Currently out of credits but I'll be renewing my membership for next year.)
ReplyDeleteI'll watch out for your review at some stage, Monica!
DeleteThanks for recommending this book, Meike. I'm heading to the library today and will check it out. Hope you are having a nice weekend!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ellen, you too!
DeleteIt'll be interesting to know what you think of the book.
Interesting! Sounds like a good book.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is both interesting and good, at least in my opinion.
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