DEAR BARACK

A debut political book explores the unique partnership of Barack Obama and Angela Merkel.

Shortly after Donald Trump’s first meeting as president with German Chancellor Merkel, Clark could not help but notice the “stark contrast compared to her interactions with his predecessor.” As an American-born social activist who moved to Germany in 2017, the author realized that, in terms of contemporary world leaders, Obama and Merkel “had a truly memorable relationship…that should be memorialized in some way.” In this work, Clark examines the improbable friendship between the charismatic, liberal Obama and the technocratic, center-right Merkel. Indeed, the book emphasizes in its well-written historical narrative how the first visit between the two was “touchy,” as they held different views on economic recovery following the 2007 recession, and how the “no-nonsense” Merkel was far “less mesmerized by Obama” than her contemporaries. Dissecting the biographies, personalities, and political styles of Obama and Merkel, the author effectively describes how the two became “good, loyal friends and partners” regardless of their “differences of opinion.” Despite his public persona, the book notes, in private Obama could be “extremely introverted,” and he had trouble connecting with French and British leaders. Yet with the equally stoic Merkel, Obama realized by the end of his first term in office, he had found a close confidant. Though the two never saw eye to eye politically, and American-German relations were at times strained (including following revelations of United States spying on German citizens and politicians), they developed an affectionate friendship. Not only did Merkel refer to Obama by the endearing phrase “dear Barack,” she also eventually publicly addressed him with the German informal, second-person pronoun du rather than the standard, formal Sie. Clark traces the friendship of Obama and Merkel in meticulous detail with charming anecdotes and expertly places their bond within the historical contexts of other world leaders’ relationships. And while perhaps overly fawning at times in its portrayals of both the policies and personalities of the two allies, this volume is a welcome read in a world where politics is so often cold and ruthless.

A delightful, well-researched account of two leaders’ unlikely friendship.