How have the American presidency, the British premiership and the German chancellorship changed over the last half-century? Has there been convergence or divergence in the development of political leadership in the United States and in the two largest democracies of Western Europe? And what difference can individual leaders make in an ever-more complex political environment? Presidents, Prime Ministers and Chancellors addresses these questions by looking at the leadership performance of more than two dozen American presidents, British prime ministers and German chancellors of the post-1945 period. In so doing, it offers a unique perspective on the nature of executive leadership in Western democracies that takes into account both the international and the historical dimension of comparison.

How have the American presidency, the British premiership and the German chancellorship changed over the last half-century? Has there been convergence or divergence in the development of political leadership in the United States and in the two largest democracies of Western Europe? And what difference can individual leaders make in an ever-more complex political environment? Presidents, Prime Ministers and Chancellors addresses these questions by looking at the leadership performance of more than two dozen American presidents, British prime ministers and German chancellors of the post-1945 period. In so doing, it offers a unique perspective on the nature of executive leadership in Western democracies that takes into account both the international and the historical dimension of comparison.

“Drawing from rich behind-the-scenes knowledge,” a biography of the woman who led Germany for sixteen years (Kirkus Reviews, starred review). Angela Merkel, who has held control of the European Union and successfully negotiated with Vladimir Putin, has been one of the most crucial and formidable fixtures in contemporary politics. This book weaves the personal story of the former German chancellor with the vivid history of post-World War II and post-Cold War Europe in a riveting account of the political titan’s ascent from obscurity to become one of the most influential leaders in the world, responsible for making Germany freer and more prosperous than it has ever been. This updated edition of the definitive biography follows Angela Merkel from her bleak childhood in East Germany through her meteoric rise to power, and includes up-to-date information on recent pressing concerns such as the refugee crisis. Offering an unprecedented look at how Merkel’s inimitable personality and perspective allowed her and her staff of mostly female advisors to repeatedly outmaneuver a network of conservative male politicians, Angela Merkel is essential reading for anyone interested in politics and current affairs, or simply in the story of a truly remarkable woman. “Well-written and informative.” —Booklist

European Politics expertly and accessibly surveys the history, institutions, and issues that are essential for understanding contemporary European politics. Exploring a central question—"what is Europe?"—this text's thematic approach helps students compare politics in individual countries and see the political big picture in the region. European Politics examines not only countries which are (or were) in the European Union but also those eligible to join, to give students the most comprehensive picture of Europe's evolution in a globalized world. Key changes for the new edition include: coverage of hot topics such as Brexit, Covid-19, rise of nationalist-populists, authoritarian developments in Hungary, Poland, and Turkey, separatism in Catalonia, refugees/migrants, environmentalism, Ukraine, Russia, US-European relations, recent elections, and security threats emanating within Europe and beyond; a consolidated presentation on the European Union; fully updated data and examples; and a new concluding chapter recapping the main ideas and suggesting scenarios for the European project moving forward. This timely, in-depth text will be essential reading for anyone interested in European politics.