The Other AM

I finally finished this book:


It was a real slog; almost 700 pages of detail that I really didn't need to know, but enough mildly interesting stuff to keep me going (towards the end, barely). Here's what I remember:

First and foremost, AM was born in East Germany (aka. the German Democratic Republic, GDR) and was involved in the unification process after the fall of the Berlin wall. This was interesting as I had never thought about the complications of, essentially, converting a communist economy with little to no private property rights (including homes) to a market-based one. I knew she was a bona fide scientist (chemist) prior to going into politics.

Needless to say, as it was written by AM, she came out of it smelling like a rose. That said, as far as I know, AM is a pretty top-notch person, the only thing one might criticize her for is being a little too pro-immigration, without thinking about the infrastructure requirements (sound familiar), or, the likelihood of fomenting extreme right ideology (which is happening across almost everywhere except Canada).

Also:

- a "tattoo" isn't just a thing you put on your arm. It's also a formal ceremony, normally with music (think: Taps), and they had one for AM as she retired her chancellorship

- she didn't have much to say about DJT other than a general understated sadness

- very little to say about economic matters. Mostly climate change, Ukraine, Israel, Brexit and such

- stalwart supporter of immigration, Israel and climate change initiatives

- big believer in federalism - during Covid she wanted to impose nationwide mandates, and ultimately to an extent she did, but held back because as in Canada, it is a state responsibility (so much craziness everywhere during Covid, but I don't recall a lot of feds vs provinces tension during Covid, probably was and I just didn't hear about it)

- almost nothing about her personal life. She has been married 2x, is still married to #2 (he is also a scientist), no kids

This book also drives home how people like AM appear to spend essentially all their waking hours in meetings, giving speeches, or on phone calls. Seems like very little time actually sit back and think. It must be just awful!

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