Super Politician: Ding Xie's French Adventure (Illustrated Biography)

Author: (Austrian) Stefan Zweig
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-03-01
Features: No one opposes associating Fouché with this series of infamous labels—“professional traitor,” “scoundrel,” “shameless conspirator,” “political climber,” “super traitor,” “natural executioner,” “terrible police chief.” Joseph Fouché, who was active in French politics from the time of the Revolution to the Napoleonic era, was originally just an obscure member of parliament. However, during the turbulent years of the Revolution, he thrived bying the secrets of his own Mountain Party while also gaining insight into the hidden affairs of the Royalist Party he aspired to join. He navigated the political stage with ease, like a cunning animal, discerning the shifts in the drama and the interests of all parties, always ready to betray allies at the right moment for greater political gain. After several ups and downs, Fouché’s power reached its zenith during the Directory period. By the time of the momentous coup d’état of 18 Brumaire, he transformed himself, climbing to the highest seat of power in France. Yet in the hands of the master Zweig, Fouché is no longer a cartoonish villain. The author attempts to approach him with a relatively impartial attitude, lifting this immensely famous traitor from the shadow of contempt and restoring him to the status of a “profoundly mysterious” “most extraordinary figure in history,” delving deep into the origins of his baffling personality and the various “fate” forces that contributed to his success.