Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel intends to publish her political memoirs on November 26, 2023. The memoirs, co-authored with Beate Baumann, who served as her longtime chief of staff, are titled "The Freedom: Memories 1954 - 2021" and will be released in over 30 countries worldwide, as announced by the publishing house Kiepenheuer & Witsch on Monday.
The book is expected to include around 700 pages, and the publishing house "Argon" will also release an audio version narrated by actress Corinna Harfouch. According to the announcement from Kiepenheuer & Witsch, Merkel shares personal insights about her childhood, youth, studies in the former German Democratic Republic (East Germany), and the dramatic year of 1989 when the wall fell, marking the beginning of her political career.
The publisher noted that Merkel engages readers in her meetings and discussions with the world's most powerful figures, describing in the book how influential decisions are made. It further stated, "The book offers a unique look into the inner workings of power. It is also a strong plea for freedom."
Publisher Kirsten Glieba described the former chancellor as "one of the foremost leaders of our time," highlighting that she revives seven decades of history filled with changes through her recollections. Glieba added, "Her memories open our eyes to the opportunities and challenges, but they foremost reveal the strengths of our democracy."
It is worth noting that the 69-year-old Merkel, born in Hamburg and raised in former East Germany, led the executive authority in her country for 16 years from 2005 to 2021, after which she did not participate in the elections held in the fall of that year. Merkel studied physics but became involved in politics during the political upheaval in the East. She was elected to the German Bundestag in 1990 and served as Minister for Women and later as Minister for the Environment. Merkel chaired the Christian Democratic Union from 2000 to 2018.
