Michael Dobbs Libri

Il romanzo di Michael Dobbs, pubblicato per la prima volta nel 1989, è considerato un thriller politico per eccellenza. Al centro della narrazione c'è Francis Urquhart, un politico machiavellico la cui ambizione è inarrestabile. Già adattato dalla BBC negli anni Novanta con grande successo, la recente versione USA sposta l'azione dal Parlamento inglese al Campidoglio americano, esplorando la corruzione nella politica statunitense. Ambientato in Inghilterra, il racconto si svolge nei mesi successivi alla rielezione del primo ministro in carica. Urquhart, Chief Whip del governo, è determinato a rovesciare l'attuale governo e a diventare primo ministro. Grazie alla sua esperienza, ha accumulato materiale compromettente su molti colleghi e utilizza ricatti e intimidazioni per costruire una rete di collaboratori che lo aiuteranno inconsapevolmente nel suo piano. Mentre Urquhart lavora per consolidare la sua immagine di figura credibile, i suoi segreti alleati attivano i meccanismi che lo porteranno a essere considerato l'unico candidato idoneo.

Dopo aver orchestrato la sua scalata al potere, il primo ministro Francis Urquhart, noto come FU, sfida il re e minaccia il ruolo della monarchia inglese. Il giovane sovrano contesta il programma di governo e la divergenza di pensiero si trasforma in ostilità aperta. La battaglia si combatte attraverso sondaggi d’opinione manipolati, prime pagine di quotidiani distorte, scandali sessuali e strategie di rischio calcolate: Urquhart intende distruggere l'immagine della Corona e del re. Per lui, l'interferenza della casa reale nella politica è inaccettabile, mentre dall'altra parte si criticano le politiche sociali che aggravano i problemi in alcune aree metropolitane. Il conflitto si intensifica e Urquhart decide di indire nuove elezioni. Durante la campagna elettorale, entra in scena un personaggio chiave: Sally Quine, un'affascinante e brillante consigliera politica, con cui inizia una relazione. Con il passare del tempo, le minacce alla casa reale diventano sempre più gravi e il primo ministro si avventura su un crinale pericoloso, da cui la discesa è altamente rischiosa. Esiste qualcosa o qualcuno al di fuori del controllo di Urquhart? Questo secondo volume della trilogia House of Cards offre un'avvincente trama di intrigo politico, firmata da Lord Michael Dobbs, maestro del genere e creatore di FU, il seduttore politico che nessuno vorrebbe avere come amico.

"In January 1973, Richard Nixon had just been inaugurated after winning re-election in a historic landslide. But by April 1973, his presidency had fallen apart as the Watergate scandal metastasized into what White House counsel John Dean called "a full-blown cancer." King Richard is the intimate, utterly absorbing narrative of the tension-packed hundred days when the Watergate burglars and their handlers in the administration turned on one another, revealing their direct connection ties to the White House. Drawing on thousands of hours of newly-released taped recordings, Michael Dobbs takes us into the very heart of the conspiracy, recreating these dramatic events in unprecedentedly vivid detail. He captures the growing paranoia of the principal players and their desperate attempts to deflect blame as the noose tightened around them and the daily pressures became increasingly unbearable. At the center of this spellbinding drama is Nixon himself, a man whose strengths, particularly his determination to win at all costs, were also his fatal flaws. Structured like a classical tragedy with a uniquely American twist, this is an epic and deeply human story of ambition, power, and betrayal"--

Michael Dodds recreates the 'most dangerous moment in human history' and brings the Cuban Missile Crisis to a new generation

This book offers an engaging and anecdotal history that captures a significant drama of our time. Through compelling storytelling, it weaves together key moments and insights, providing readers with a deep understanding of the events and their impact. The narrative highlights the emotional and historical significance of the story, making it a remarkable account that resonates with contemporary themes.

Focusing on the pivotal moments of the Watergate scandal, this account provides an insider's perspective from the White House during the crisis that led to a president's downfall. The narrative captures the tension and urgency of the events, detailing the conspiracy's unfolding and its impact on American politics. With sharp insights and riveting storytelling, it reveals the high stakes and the dramatic consequences of this historical episode.

From an acclaimed British author, a sharply focused, riveting account -- told from inside the White House -- of the crucial days, hours, and moments when the Watergate conspiracy consumed, and ultimately toppled, a president. In January 1973, Richard Nixon was inaugurated after winning re-election in a historic landslide. But by April his presidency had fallen apart as the Watergate scandal metastasised into what White House counsel John Dean called 'a full-blown cancer'. King Richardis the intimate, utterly absorbing narrative of the tension-packed hundred days when the Watergate burglars and their handlers in the administration turned on one another, revealing their direct connection to the White House. Drawing on thousands of hours of newly released taped recordings, Michael Dobbs takes us into the very heart of the conspiracy, recreating these dramatic events in unprecedentedly vivid detail. He captures the growing paranoia of the principal players, and their desperate attempts to deflect blame, as the noose tightened around them and the daily pressures became increasingly unbearable. At the centre of this spellbinding drama is Nixon himself, a man whose strengths -- particularly his determination to win at all costs -- were also his fatal flaws. Structured like a classical tragedy with a uniquely American twist, this is an epic and deeply human story of ambition, power, and betrayal.

Published in association with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, a riveting story of Jewish families seeking to escape Nazi Germany. In 1938, on the eve of World War II, the American journalist Dorothy Thompson wrote that "a piece of paper with a stamp on it" was "the difference between life and death." The Unwanted is the intimate account of a small village on the edge of the Black Forest whose Jewish families desperately pursued American visas to flee the Nazis. Battling formidable bureaucratic obstacles, some make it to the United States while others are unable to obtain the necessary documents. Some are murdered in Auschwitz, their applications for American visas still "pending." Drawing on previously unpublished letters, diaries, interviews, and visa records, Michael Dobbs provides an illuminating account of America's response to the refugee crisis of the 1930s and 1940s. He describes the deportation of German Jews to France in October 1940, along with their continuing quest for American visas. And he re-creates the heated debates among U.S. officials over whether or not to admit refugees amid growing concerns about "fifth columnists," at a time when the American public was deeply isolationist, xenophobic, and antisemitic. A Holocaust story that is both German and American, The Unwanted vividly captures the experiences of a small community struggling to survive amid tumultuous world events.

From the author of the best-selling One Minute to Midnight, a riveting account of the pivotal six month period spanning the end of World War II, the dawn of the atomic age, and the beginning of the Cold War. When Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin met in Yalta in February 1945, Hitler's armies were on the run, and victory was imminent. The Big Three wanted to draft a blueprint for a lasting peace—but instead they set the stage for a forty-four year division of Europe into Soviet and Western spheres of influence. After fighting side by side for nearly four years, their political alliance was beginning to fracture. Although the most dramatic Cold War confrontations such as the Berlin airlift were still to come, a new struggle for global hegemony had got underway by August 1945 when Truman used the atomic bomb against Hiroshima. Six Months in 1945 brilliantly captures this momentous historical turning point, chronicling the geopolitical twists behind the fall of the Iron Curtain, while illuminating the aims and personalities of larger-than-life political giants. It is a vividly rendered story of individual and national interests in fierce competition at a seminal moment in history.

Michael Dobbs skillfully intertwines his historical passion with the legendary figure of Winston Churchill, creating a compelling narrative in two acclaimed works. The books explore Churchill's resilience and leadership during pivotal moments in history, showcasing his unwavering spirit in the face of adversity. Through rich storytelling, Dobbs captures the essence of Churchill's character and the challenges he confronted, offering readers an engaging and insightful look at one of history's most influential leaders.