Michael Zantovsky: Havel: A Life
Havel: A Life
Buch
- Grove Atlantic, 10/2015
- Einband: Kartoniert / Broschiert
- Sprache: Englisch
- ISBN-13: 9780802124289
- Bestellnummer: 6996564
- Umfang: 560 Seiten
- Gewicht: 727 g
- Maße: 231 x 156 mm
- Stärke: 45 mm
- Erscheinungstermin: 13.10.2015
Achtung: Artikel ist nicht in deutscher Sprache!
Klappentext
Václav Havel was one of the most prominent figures of the twentieth century: iconoclast and intellectual, renowned artist turned political dissident, president of a united and then divided nation, and dedicated human rights activist. Written by Michael Zantovsky-Havel's former press secretary, advisor, and longtime friend-Havel: A Life chronicles his extraordinary journey from the theatrical stage to the world stage.Havel's lifelong perspective as an outsider began with his privileged childhood in Prague and his family's blacklisted status following the Communist coup of 1948. In his youth, this feeling of being isolated and outcast fueled his poetry and then later his career as an essayist and dramatist, writing absurdist plays as social commentary. His outspoken involvement during the Prague Spring led to the harsh censorship of his work, and his human rights activities earned him five years in prison.
Although Havel was a courageous visionary, he was also a man of great contradictions, wracked with doubt and self-criticism. But he always remained true to himself. His leadership of Charter 77, his unflagging belief in the power of the powerless, and his galvanizing personality catapulted Havel into a pivotal role as the leader of the Velvet Revolution in 1989. Over the next thirteen years, he continued to break through international barriers as the last president of Czechoslovakia and the first president of the Czech Republic.
Zantovsky was one of Havel's closest friends, having met in the democratic opposition under Communism. During Havel's early years in office Zantovsky was his press secretary, advisor, and political director, and their friendship endured until Havel's death in 2011. A rare witness to this most extraordinary life, Zantovsky presents a revelatory portrait-up close and personal-of this giant among men and the turbulent times through which he prevailed.
Biografie
Michael Zantovsky, geboren 1949 in Prag, ist Journalist, Schriftsteller und Diplomat. Von 1988 bis 1989 war er Prager Korrespondent von Reuters. Er ist Mitbegründer des tschechischen Bürgerforums. Von 1990 bis 1992 war er Sprecher und Politischer Berater von Präsident Havel, von 1992 bis 1997 Botschafter in den USA. Von 1997 bis 2002 war er Vorsitzender des tschechischen Senatsausschusses für Auswärtige Politik und Sicherheit, von 2003 bis 2009 Botschafter in Israel, seitdem in London. Michael Zantovsky ist seit den 1970-er Jahren ein enger Weggefährte Havels. Michael Zantovsky
Havel: A Life
EUR 20,94*