Modern World Leaders
5 total works
With his election to the Ukrainian presidency, Viktor Yushchenko became a hero throughout the world for his courage in the face of nearly overwhelming adversity. After three elections (two of them marred by fraud), one attempted murder by poison, one revolution, and one decision by the Supreme Court of Ukraine, he was able to win the first truly free elections in his nation's history. However, his real challenges were just beginning. Yushchenko was elected president of a country still struggling with independence, a country tainted by its history of corrupt and ruthless leadership. ""Victor Yushchenko"" is an astutely written, handsomely illustrated biography of the leader of one of the world's most significant nascent democracies. Will Yushchenko be able to keep his campaign promises? Will he be able to build closer ties between Ukraine and the West, and transform his nation into a true democracy? These issues and more are highlighted in this new title.
Thabo Mbeki has devoted his life to the people of South Africa, first as a courageous fighter against apartheid and currently as president of his beloved nation, helping to heal the wounds caused by decades of oppression. His success is even more astounding considering the seemingly insurmountable obstacles he encountered early in life: His activist father spent many years in prison because of his political beliefs. Close relatives disappeared, never to be seen or heard from again. And Mbeki himself was forced to live in exile for nearly 30 years. What gave him the strength and determination to continue his struggle? How did the little boy from a small village go on to become South Africa's president? This revealing new biography answers these questions and more, exploring the life and accomplishments of this remarkable world leader.
At the age of 28, Ehud Olmert became the youngest member of Israel's parliament, the Knesset. Slowly, he climbed the Israeli political ladder, adjusting his views and positions as the times and public opinion changed, until he achieved the ultimate prize - prime minister of Israel. But less than four months after achieving his life's dream, Olmert, the aspiring peacemaker, found himself leading Israel in a war against Lebanon. When hostilities ended without a victory by Israel, Olmert's popularity plummeted, and he found himself fighting for his political life. In this new biography, read how Olmert made his way to the top in the cutthroat world of Israeli politics, and his struggle to hold on to the position he'd sought his entire adult life.