Freedom

Memoirs 1954 – 2021

By: Angela Merkel

Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson

The long-awaited memoir by one of the most important political leaders of our time

For 16 years, Angela Merkel bore the governmental responsibility for Germany, leading the country through numerous crises and shaping German and international politics and society with her actions and attitude. But Angela Merkel was not born a Chancellor. In her memoirs, co-written with her long-standing political advisor Beate Baumann, she looks back on her life in two German states – 35 years in the GDR (German Democratic Republic), 35 years in reunified Germany. More personally than ever before, she talks about her childhood, youth, and her studies in the GDR, and the dramatic year of 1989, when the Wall fell and her political life began. She shares insights into her meetings and conversations with the world's most powerful leaders and elucidates, with clear and precise examples, significant national, European, and international turning points and how decisions were made that shape our times. Her book offers a unique insight into the inner workings of power – and is a decisive plea for freedom.


“What does freedom mean to me? This question has occupied me my entire life. Naturally, politically, because freedom needs democratic conditions, without democracy there is no freedom, no rule of law, no protection of human rights. But this question also occupies me on another level. Freedom, for me, is finding out where my own limits are, and pushing my own limits. Freedom is for me not to stop learning, not to have to stand still but to be allowed to continue, even after leaving politics.” - Angela Merkel

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.

Refreshing and honest

I enjoyed the freshness and honesty and exposure to her own life former chancellor Merkel provides us in this book. I felt that it was very interesting to read and get a better understanding. German politics, a woman who was the first of her time in Europe or in any western nation to hold a major position in politics and European politics overall. I live in the US and I am greatly saddened by the state of affairs of our country and the world at this time. I find myself identifying over and over with much that She outlines in this book. I don’t agree with every position, but I do agree with her honesty and her approach to humanity and working together. Mrs. Merkel would be one person that I would love to meet in my lifetime.

A leader capable of thinking in complex ways about complex realities

In a time when populist leaders rely on emphatic sloganeering, Angela Merkel demonstrates the rare capacity to think in complex ways about complex realities. This capacity will need to be rediscovered by political leaders if humanity is to survive the complex challenges we face.

The people who should read this most probably won’t

Great memoir and message. Interesting look at contemporary history. I hope to find more accounts like this

The amazing recall of events down to the smallest detail

I really enjoyed this book and relived this period, parts of which I had forgotten. Mrs. Merkel is an amazing woman and I am glad that I met her by listening to her book.

would like to hear more from Merkel

I recently finished reading "Freedom" by Angela Merkel. The beginning section about living in East Germany was particularly fascinating, especially given the current times. However, I found myself getting bogged down by the numerous initials of German government agencies. I wish Merkel had delved deeper into her analysis of various situations rather than just listing the meetings and conferences she attended.

In today's world a leader who is honest, decent, practical, reasonable, and moderate seems like a relic of the past. Merkel's promise never to lie or sweep things under the carpet when she was elected is truly remarkable. An honest leader—wow, we would have to look back to Jimmy Carter. It seems like lying has become the norm. I hope that someday, the world will live up to Merkel's ideals. I hope Merkel writes another book analyzing the various crises she has faced. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and appreciated the history refresher, especially regarding the start of the Ukraine War.

I listened to this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is twenty-seven hours and four minutes long, and Juliet Stevenson does a commendable job narrating it.

Merkel honest & straightforward

As good as expected- an amazing insight into one of the most powerful woman in the world

Reader should be German

I so admire merkel and was eager to hear her story. I had a hard time with the British reader though. Just did not work for me. Wish they had used a woman from Germany, who could sound like Angela, in English.

Can’t see the forest for the trees

I was missing Dr Merkel’s perspective as one of the key western world leaders in recent years, As a non-German reader the book gave too many details on German politics, dates, parties etc with an offensive tone on various decisions made in the past.

thoughtful and strong

I am so impressed by AM's story, but even more so by her personality, her thoughtfulness and steadfastness.

Interesting insights and double standards

Merkel provides insights from her career, rationale for decisions, but avoids topics where double standards were applied.