The Power of the Powerless

Name: The Power of the Powerless
Brand: Penguin Random House NZ
SKU: 9781784875046
Price: 27.0 NZD
Availability: InStock

By Václav Havel

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Summary

The Power of the Powerless by Václav Havel explores the nature of political dissent in a totalitarian regime, focusing on how everyday people can bring about change through living in truth. It delves into the dynamics between rulers and the ruled, shedding light on the moral mission of nonviolent resistance and the potential for individuals to challenge oppressive systems. This essay is a profound analysis of power, politics, and the individual's role in society.
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Format: Paperback / softback

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The Power of the Powerless

$27⁰⁰

Elsewhere:

~~$30⁰⁰~~

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you're intrigued by the dynamics of dissent and the nature of power under authoritarian regimes. You might enjoy exploring how individuals can challenge oppressive systems through the lens of insightful political philosophy.

The Power of the Powerless

Václav Havel’s remarkable and rousing essay on the tyranny of apathy, with a new introduction by Timothy Snyder

Cowed by life under Communist Party rule, a greengrocer hangs a placard in their shop window: Workers of the world, unite! Is it a sign of the grocer’s unerring ideology?

One of the most 'original and compelling pieces of political writing' to come out of the Soviet Union, published in Vintage Classics on its fortieth anniversary

Description

One of the most original and compelling pieces of political writing to come out of the Soviet Union, published in Vintage Classics on its fortieth anniversary.

Vaclav Havel's remarkable and rousing essay on the tyranny of apathy, with a new introduction by Timothy Snyder.

Cowed by life under Communist Party rule, a greengrocer hangs a placard in their shop window—Workers of the world, unite! Is it a sign of the grocer's unerring ideology? Or a symbol of the lies we perform to protect ourselves?

Written in 1978, Vaclav Havel's meditation on political dissent—the rituals of its suppression, and the sparks that re-ignite it—would prove the guiding manifesto for uniting Solidarity movements across the Soviet Union. A portrait of activism in the face of falsehood and intimidation, The Power of the Powerless remains a rousing call against the allure of apathy.

Havel's diagnosis of political pathologies has a special resonance in the age of Trump – Pankaj Mishra

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Václav Havel's The Power of the Powerless holds significant relevance even in contemporary political discussions, as noted by Pankaj Mishra in relation to the Trump era. The book's influence in challenging the Soviet-imposed regime is highlighted by David Remnick, who praises Havel's unique voice in undermining totalitarianism. The Economist appreciates Havel's scathing yet gentle prose in unveiling the deceit and cowardice underpinning communist power. The New York Times commends the essay's foresight on the eventual success of opposition against a totalitarian state.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781784875046

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 27 September 2018

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Vintage Classics

Contributors:

Introduction by Timothy Snyder

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 11.0mm

Width: 111.0mm

Height: 179.0mm

Weight: 99g

Pages: 176

Collections

Biography & Memoir Education & Reference Non-Fiction Penguin Books Politics & Current Affairs Václav Havel

About the Author

Vaclav Havel was born in Prague on 5 October 1936. The son of a movie producer, Havel first distinguished himself as a poet and playwright in Prague's burgeoning theatre world. The Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia saw Havel aiding the resistance for which he was later banned from theatre work. Living under Soviet occupation, and having to work as a brewer, Havel became increasingly politically active and was eventually imprisoned for three years following the publication of his 1979 essay, The Power of the Powerless. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989, Havel became President of Czechoslovakia and he was later elected the first President of the Czech Republic. Havel returned to the theatre after retiring from political life, writing two new plays before his death on 18 December 2011. (Author photograph copyright J. Jiroutek 2011)