The Art of the Impossible: Politics as Morality in Practice

by Václav Havel

Book Overview

Czech President Vaclav Havel gives new meaning to the word "politics" in this paperback collection. "Like his American predecessor Thomas Jefferson, Vaclav Havel is a politician with the soul of a... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0679451064
• ISBN13: 9780679451068
• Release Date: May 1997
• Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
• Length: 273 Pages
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.0" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

Several excerpts from this illuminating and inspiring book

I hope Havel's own words (he is one of the few presidents who writes his own speeches, consistently with his life motto "living in the truth") will inspire you to buy and read "The Art of Impossible" and other books written by this humble and couragoues man. From Havel's writings one can learn much about history, politics, philosophy,psychology and art/theatre. Moreover, everyone reading Havel's works with an open mind and heart will be challenged to reflect on his/her own place in this world. "For forty years on this day you heard, from my predecessors, variations on the same theme: how our country flourished, how many million tons of steel we produced, how happy we all were,how we trusted our government, and what bright perspectives were unfolding before us. I assume you did not propose me for this office so that I, too, would lie to you. (New Year's Address to the Nation, Prague, January 1, 1990)"But this is still not the main problem. The worst thing is that we live in a contaminated moral environment. We fell morally ill because we got used to saying something different from what we thought. We learned not to believe in anything, to ignore each other, to care only for ourselves. Concepts such as love, friendship, compassion, humility and forgiveness lost theirdepth and dimension, and for many of us they came to represent only psychological pecularities, or to resemble long-lost greetings from the ancient times, a little ridiculous in the era of commuters and spaceships. ...When I talk about contaminated moral atmosphere, I am not talking just about the gentlemen who eat organic vegetables and do not look out of the planes windows, I am talking about all of us. We had all become used to the totalitarian system and accepted it as an unalterable fact of life, and thus we helped to perpetuate it. In other words, we are all-though naturally to differing extents-responsible for the operation of the totalitarian machinery. None of us is just its victim: we are all also its cocreators. (New Year's Address to the Nation, Prague, January 1, 1990)"...we must accept this legacy as a sin we committed against ourselves. If we accept it as such, we will understand that it is up to us all, and up to us alone, to do something about it. We must not blame the previous rulers for everything, not only because it would be untrue but also because it could blunt the duty each of us faces today, that is, the obligation to act independently, freely,reasonably, and quickly. ...Freedom and democracy require participation and therefore responsible action from us all. (New Year's Address to the Nation, Prague, January 1, 1990)"We agree that the basic prerequisite for a genuine friendship between our nations is truth, a truth that is always expressed, no matter how hard." (The Visit of German President Richard vonWeizacker, Prague) "Interests of all kinds-personal, selfish, state, national, group, and if you like, company interests-still considerably outweigh genuinely c

Inspirational

The Art of the Impossible is, indeed, a very good introduction to the political philosophy of a great leader. Every lecture and article contained in this volume holds fabulous, almost poetic passages, and offers insights into the difficulties of leading a nation away from the physical and psychological devastation of communism. On some occasions Mr. Havel looks at his own position from a critical point of view, something we don't see very often in this kind of work.This is a rather optimistic book, and every person who aspires to making our world a better - and safer - place for everyone, should definitely read it. It does not, however, provide us with solutions, but this is not what this work was intended for in the first place. What it does is identify the areas of politics we ought to concentrate on. The passages in which he argues for an increased participation of "intellectuals" in politics is particularly enlightening.A commendable collection of lectures and essays, beautifully translated, which offers us a glimpse of a truly admirable man.

Humanitarian

I found this book motivational and inspirational. The societywe live in today reflects the opinions and speeches of Mr. Havel. Iuse this book like a bible..He spoke many truths to our nation.His speech on "hate" was so true about the ideas and thoughts of the Human Race in this world...His tribute as a President to treat people with such dignity and honor..His speech in "Oslo" was refreshing and exhilirating..I applaud his humanitarism. One day I would love to meet and speak to him.

Excellent introduction to Havel

The essays and speeches contained in this book provide an excellent introduction to Vaclav Havel, one of the most intelligent and conscientious political figures of this century. His discussions about democracy, forgiveness, the future of the former Soviet Union, the future of the Czech Republic and other themes are thoughtfully composed and eloquently expressed. No review that I can write can do justice to this man's incredible vision for his country, our world, and our future.