Willy Brandt: Prisoner Of His Past

Description: Originally published in 1975, this book chronicles the exciting and tragic rise and fall of Germany's first Social Democratic Chancellor, Willy Brandt. Viola Herms Drath recently participated in a symposium on Willy Brandt and the First Grand Coalition (1966-1969) please visit the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies for information. Review: Who ever has written a better book on Willy Brandt for an American audience than Viola Herms Drath? -- Norman Mailer, Pulitzer Prize winning author Only history will tell whether Ostpolitik facilitated or impeded the collapse of Soviet Communism. -- Dr. John McLaughlin, Host, The McLaughlin Group A compelling book about the tragic rise and fall of a complex statesman, the visions, and vulnerabilities of Germany's first Social Democratic Chancellor and father of Ostpolitik. -- George Radanovic, U.S. Congressman Drath has written an important, immensely useful book. -- Frank Getlein, The Washington Star It's good news that Viola Herms Drath's book on Willy Brandt is being reissued. The life and achievements-and painful failures-of this remarkable man deserve to be better known in the english-speaking world. -- Michael Frayn, Playwright, Author of Democracy Drath's book remains a must-read for those interested in fully appreciating an important statesman, both in his own time and beyond. -- Hon. Henry A. Kissinger, former U.S. Secretary of State Among the world's leaders of his time, Willy Brandt stands out because of his vision. Today, his Ostpolitik is not given sufficient credit for the major contribution to the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the rejection of Soviet Communism. -- Lord Owen, former UK Foreign Secretary For forty years, Berlin symbolized the division of Germany and the partition of Europe, which Brandt's vision for reconciliation and cooperation helped overcome. -- Hon. Klaus Wowereit, Governing Mayor of Berlin Author Biography: Viola Herms Drath has been a notable figure in German-American relations for over thirty years. She has known Willy Brandt for many years and has published numerous articles about him. As a longtime Washington correspondent for Germany's Handelsblatt and a member of the executive committee of the National Committee on American Foreign Policy, her writings have helped Americans and Germans better understand post-war bilateral relations. An author, a diplomatic advisor, political analyst, playwright, and academic, Drath has taught at American University and lectured at the University of Southern California. She received her M.A. in Germanic Literature and Philosophy from the University of Nebraska.