Psychobiographies of Political Leaders from Across the World - by Claude-Hélène Mayer & Roelf Van Niekerk & Moshe Banai (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

The authors explore the life and leadership of extraordinary political leaders in different socio-cultural contexts and epochs and present new insights in political psychobiography. They investigate the lives, personalities, politics, philosophies, careers, leadership and leadership styles of leaders from the UK, Germany, France, South Africa, China, Turkey and Zimbabwe and lead discourses on the advancement of contemporary theories and methodologies. A must read to understand leaders and leadership in historical, contemporary, cultural and intercultural perspectives!

From the Back Cover

"A Dramatic Broadening of the Scope of Political Psychobiography."

--William McKinley Runyan, Professor Emeritus, University of California, Berkeley, USA

"A fascinating and psychologically in-depth analysis of political leadership across nations and time. Drawing on a variety of psychological theories and employing a diverse array of psychobiography methodologies, the internationally renowned contributors to this volume provide penetrating and new insights into the inner psychological life, motivations and drives of their historic subjects. The subjects, all influential in their own cultural contexts, and some quite controversial, provide for riveting reads. Never before had I read a book on political psychobiography that was as international, inclusive, and varied as in this volume. I believe it is fair to say that Mayer, van Niekerk, and Banai have edited a "masterwork" in political psychobiography."

--Joseph G. Ponterotto, Professor of Counseling Psychology, Fordham University at Lincoln Center, New York City, USA

"Usually, we see only the persona that political figures present to the public, but, by revealing their motivations, childhood experiences, and particular emotions, this engaging volume brings us face-to-face with the human beings behind the masks."

--James William Anderson, PhD. Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, USA

The authors explore the life and leadership of extraordinary political leaders in different socio-cultural contexts and epochs and present new insights in political psychobiography. They investigate the lives, personalities, politics, philosophies, careers, leadership and leadership styles of leaders from the UK, Germany, France, South Africa, China, Turkey and Zimbabwe and lead discourses on the advancement of contemporary theories and methodologies. A must read to understand leaders and leadership in historical, contemporary, cultural and intercultural perspectives!

Claude-Hélène Mayer is Professor in Industrial and Organisational Psychology at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa.

Roelf Van Niekerk is the Director at the School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resources at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa.

Moshe Banai is a Professor Emeritus at the Zicklin College, The City University of New York, USA.

About the Author

Claude-Hélène Mayer is Professor in Industrial and Organisational Psychology at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa.

Roelf Van Niekerk is the Director at the School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resources at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa.

Moshe Banai is a Professor Emeritus at the Zicklin College, The City University of New York, USA.