Five noted writers and thinkers profile five of the world's leaders.
For some of us, these leaders are heroes; for others, villains; for all
of us--strongmen.
We're edging towards a new kind of global fascism driven by aggression
and strident nationalism. In this energetic, focused book, a group of
five accomplished writers confronts five would-be dictators.
American playwright Eve Ensler (The Vagina Monologues) burrows beneath
the skin of Donald Trump.
Danish Husain, Indian storyteller and actor, finds himself recounting
the story not only of Indian
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but also of the ascension of the extremism
of the Sangh Parivar.
Burhan Sönmez, Turkish novelist, ferrets about amidst the bewildering
career of the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Lara Vapnyar, Russian-American novelist and journalist, ponders the
Stalinist origins of the Supreme Leader of All the Russias.
Ninotchka Rosca, Filipina feminist novelist, unravels the macho world of
Rodrigo Duterte.
These essays do not presume to be neutral. They are by partisan
thinkers, magical writers, people who see not only the monsters but also
a future beyond the ghouls. A future that is necessary. The present is
too painful.
