Behind-the-Scenes Politician (A Biography of Joseph Fouché)

Author: (Austrian) Joseph Roth, translated by Hou Huanhong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: Joseph Fouché was one of the most extraordinary figures in history. He had defeated Napoleon and Robespierre in his inner struggles; yet history cast him as a mere supporting player, indifferent to his fate, pushing him to the background. This man had always had a bad reputation, being considered a natural traitor, conspirator, flatterer, professional poseur, and so on. He represented a type of politician—the behind-the-scenes politician. Roth believed that in real life, what determines the outcome is not the outstanding intellect but rather the more ordinary behind-the-scenes politicians. He pointed out that for self-defense, we should recognize the true nature of such people and see through the secrets of their rise to power.