MY PARTNER, MY FRIEND
by Claudia Clark
Bookclub Reading and Discussion
22 January 2019
When was the last time you heard a politician say: "It´s fun to work together"? It may seem like a lifetime ago, but those words were spoken by President Obama describing his relationship with Chancellor Angela Merkel. We were privileged to hear these and other revelations during the evening our Bookclub spent with Claudia Clark, author of My Partner, My Friend.
Exhaustively researched, the book details a relationship that started with caution, progressed into trust, and grew into friendship. Especially in today´s polarized world, it seems almost quaint to observe the interaction between the two leaders who were able to relax with each other while tackling the world´s problems because of their own authenticity and their affinity and respect for each other.
Claudia, a Democrats Abroad member, was compelled to write the book because, especially in light of what is happening today, it is instructive to re-examine how personal relationships between those in power contribute to peace. What has been lost—communication, working through differences, the willingness to compromise—should be a lesson for us all. We look forward to reading more when the book is published, both in English and in German.
Text by Maryann Schmunk