Rating: 
Summary: CESARZ
Review: (That's the polish original title.) I think it's worth saying, that in Poland, in the 4th class of high school it's obligatory to read for all the students.'Emperor' was also included in a list of 100 most important non-fictional books of the century ( I don't actually remember the name of the magazine, that prepared the list). It is the most famous book by Ryszard Kapuscinski, famous for the topic he's chosen to write about; for it's beauty and simplicity of style and the massage it carries.Famous for it's huge dose of emotions.Famous for it's beauty.Telling a story of Hajle Sellasje, the emperor of Ethiopia, Kapuscinski shows us the tragedy of Africa, the never-solved problems and curse it has to fight with. He shows us the essence of power, it's danger and instability. "Emperor" is probably the most comprehensive book about authocratic system ever written. We are told the story of the emperor by the people who used to be his servants and clerks. The author has spent years in Africa, South America and Asia, as a war-correspondent.He's seen the downfalls of various governments,uprises and wars.In "Emperor" he shows us his experiences in the simplest and most beautiful way ever.
Rating:
Summary: Read five pages of any Kapuscinski book...
Review: ...and I dare you to put it down. I picked up Shah of Shah's while studying Iran. Shah of Shah's has almost nothing to do with Iran (except to provide a political backdrop). Like The Emperor, it is a horrifying and comical study of outrageous personalities and those who serve them. Kapuscinski's writing is so unique, so compelling. His view of history makes for some powerful storytelling.
Rating:
Summary: Read five pages of any Kapuscinski book...
Review: ...and I dare you to put it down. I picked up Shah of Shah's while studying Iran. Shah of Shah's has almost nothing to do with Iran (except to provide a political backdrop). Like The Emperor, it is a horrifying and comical study of outrageous personalities and those who serve them. Kapuscinski's writing is so unique, so compelling. His view of history makes for some powerful storytelling.
Rating:
Summary: shocking and fine!
Review: A manifestly brilliant bit of writing, Kapuscinski is relentless in his 'interviews'! Updike's on the money, the book is hewn poetic to the point of a palpable tenderness. Language that is almost voluptuous in its lurid candor. And such sorrow, the pages can hardly hold it! As an allegory of communism, the author weaves universal tales out of a remarkable story, that of Haile Selassie and his Ethiopia. The book has a hypnotic, narcotic kind of ardor, very personal, yet strangely and beautifully universal. Here one finds what inclusion means. Here its is possible to look upon a kind of hero-martyr the likes of which are rare enough, but nearly obscure in literature. Get your fill here. This is magnificent stuff!
Rating:
Summary: shocking and fine!
Review: A manifestly brilliant bit of writing, Kapuscinski is relentless in his 'interviews'! Updike's on the money, the book is hewn poetic to the point of a palpable tenderness. Language that is almost voluptuous in its lurid candor. And such sorrow, the pages can hardly hold it! As an allegory of communism, the author weaves universal tales out of a remarkable story, that of Haile Selassie and his Ethiopia. The book has a hypnotic, narcotic kind of ardor, very personal, yet strangely and beautifully universal. Here one finds what inclusion means. Here its is possible to look upon a kind of hero-martyr the likes of which are rare enough, but nearly obscure in literature. Get your fill here. This is magnificent stuff!
Rating:
Summary: shocking and fine!
Review: A manifestly brilliant piece of historico-devotional literature, in this, the second book of his trilogy on absolute power, Polish scholar Kapuscinski is relentless in his 'interviews'! Updike's on the money, the book is hewn poetic to the point of a palpable tenderness, with language that is almost voluptuous in its lurid candor. And such sorrow, the pages can hardly hold it! As an allegory of communism, the author weaves universal tales out of the remarkable story of Haile Selassie and his Ethiopia. The book has a hypnotic, narcotic kind of ardor, very personal, yet strangely and beautifully universal. It's not only possible, but nearly guaranteed, that in these pages one can gaze upon a kind of hero-martyr the likes of which are rare enough, but nearly obscure in modern literature. Get your fill here. This is magnificent stuff!
Rating:
Summary: shocking and fine!
Review: A manifestly brilliant piece of historico-devotional literature, in this, the second book of his trilogy on absolute power, Polish scholar Kapuscinski is relentless in his 'interviews'! Updike's on the money, the book is hewn poetic to the point of a palpable tenderness, with language that is almost voluptuous in its lurid candor. And such sorrow, the pages can hardly hold it! As an allegory of communism, the author weaves universal tales out of the remarkable story of Haile Selassie and his Ethiopia. The book has a hypnotic, narcotic kind of ardor, very personal, yet strangely and beautifully universal. It's not only possible, but nearly guaranteed, that in these pages one can gaze upon a kind of hero-martyr the likes of which are rare enough, but nearly obscure in modern literature. Get your fill here. This is magnificent stuff!
Rating:
Summary: A Rare Insiders Look
Review: A series of spellbinding interviews of palace insiders that collectively defines the genius and folly of Haille Selassie's 45-year autocratic rule of Ethiopia
Rating:
Summary: All Hail the King of Kings?
Review: All hail His August Majesty!! That is what Haile Selassie heard from a nation of people that worshipped, but feared the King of Kings. During his most powerful years as Emperor of Ethiopia His Imperial Majesty was the most powerful person in this ancient culture. As Kapuscinski relates through eloquent anecdotes, his power and national approval would soon change. The book is structured into three chapters, The Throne, It's Coming, It's Coming, and The Collapse. Imperial Palace inhabitants relate stories that describe the feelings and attitudes of those closest to the Emperor. Kapuscinski gives you a sense of what it was like to be in the palace in times of great affluence and abundance. Just when you thought it could not get any better, the feeling of revolution sets in. He describes how the people began to tire of the monarchy, loose respect for power, and grow increasingly hungry. It was captivating to read how the dignitaries tried to hold on to their imperious way of life, while the revolution was taking place outside the palace gates. This book takes you inside the palace during crucial times of Haile Selassie's reign. You get a sense of what the people were thinking, but did anyone ever know what Haile Selassie was actually thinking?
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: Great historical book describing the mood of the palace in Ethiopia under the rule of Haile Selassie. Excellent in its description of mood. You actually see the insanity and chaos that Selassie created and nurtured in his palace and metaphorically thoughout his country. And by the end of the book, you understand how the King of Kings was destroyed by the monster he created. The style was unlike any book I'd read in the past. It was really exceptionally well done.
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