The illuminating and in-depth biography of Angela Merkel, using exclusive new sources and research to tell how the daughter of a clergyman from East Germany rose to become one of the most powerful women in the world. Angela Merkel is an extraordinary woman: born a pastor's daughter, she earned a doctorate in Quantum Chemistry and, despite having no political experience, succeeded in becoming the first female German Chancellor. She has transformed German and European politics; her achievements at home and abroad have seen her top Forbes Most Powerful Women list ten times; and she is still going strong after more than a decade in office. Her trajectory is fascinating and impressive but how has she done it? What drives her? Understanding Merkel is essential for anyone interested in current affairs in particular now, with Brexit on the horizon. Matthew Qvortrup's Angela Merkel: Europe's Most Influential Leader is the story of a truly remarkable personality, based on more than a decade's worth of study and original archival research. It explores the cultural, historical and political influences that shaped Merkel's life and character, and combines the narrative of her life with a lively account of the history of Germany from 1945 to the present day. AUTHOR: Matthew Qvortrup is Professor of Political Science at Coventry University. Described by the BBC as 'the world's leading authority on referendums', Qvortrup has published extensively on European politics and history. He has appeared as an expert for BBC, and worked as a consultant for the US State Department. He lives in London.