Blog

Women of Dictators

28 February 2012 by korvus | Category: Non classé

…is a book written by Diane Ducret, and this book has already enjoyed a certain undeniable commercial success since volume 2 has already been released. If this book initially attracted me, it was probably above all because of its title, which suggests a rich, fascinating and troubling universe.

What is it about?

Women of Dictator deals, as its name suggests, with women who accompanied major dictators of the 20th century. Dictators such as Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini or Mao, but also Ceaucescu, Lenin, Bokassa or Salazar. The women, for their part, were not necessarily lovers or wives, because sometimes, when it comes to determining whether the act was committed, it is sometimes impossible to determine it. But these are women who probably played a decisive role in the entourage of these dictators, at least emotionally

The form

In terms of form, the book begins in an interesting way, by recounting letters addressed to the most famous of them, Hitler. Obviously, it is dripping with saccharine sentimentality, it satisfies a certain voyeuristic side, and it is always a bit surprising. But after the first two or three letters, you start to panic, hoping that the overall content will be something else; because indeed, although it may seem clever, it quickly becomes boring and uninteresting… and you’re ready to tune out! But don’t do it! It is only an introduction meant to help us understand the extent of the power of attraction dictators have over the masses, despite their often unattractive physiques!
After this preamble, which should have been cut by two-thirds, we finally begin… Mussolini!

Turbulent relationships

As the pages go by, we discover the tumultuous lives of these few men and women. Passion, betrayal, rape and adultery are found in some but not necessarily in others. But also love, of course. The dictators can quickly be split into two “families”: the womanizers, Mussolini, Mao, Bokassa, who collect affairs and are always looking for more. If the others collect them too, it is far from their main concern! Salazar, Hitler, Lenin, Ceaucescu and Stalin are “well-behaved”. But this word is probably not the most appropriate, because they will cause (apart from their mass killings for some) suicides in their female entourage, often motivated by heartbreak, love or madness… !

If these out-of-the-ordinary “husbands” or lovers are rather known for their antics, the women are not bad in their own way either! Ingenuous, innocent, often refusing to see harsh and brutal realities. Love makes them blind and they forget that they are giving a lot to a man who will go much further than they imagine. They are often indispensable to some, even if the latter do not realize it. Some are true mentors, and even train men who are sometimes rough around the edges, turning them into brilliant and manipulative speakers, giving them the keys to understanding the values of high society, and thus power. In short, making them political firebrands. In these unique and sordid worlds, one can also distinguish women who lead their lives as directly and brutally as their husbands. Taking revenge at every turn and using their power to achieve their ends without any scruples, getting rid of troublesome rivals or rivals, or giving free rein to their megalomania. These women will be found in particular in the environment of Ceaucescu and Mao.

Writing

This book is simple and rich to read, which clearly makes it a strong point. It is generally well documented and brings a lot of anecdotes, and one gets the impression of almost reading the “Here” of dictators. It therefore delivers on its promises. One can sometimes wonder what relatively “anecdotal” stories such as Salazar’s are doing there, where ultimately very little happens, if one compares them with the violent passions that swelled the lives of his fellow dictators! Yet the world is not short of dictators… Why not Franco, for example?! One therefore feels a certain opportunism on the part of the author in the choice of dictators. In the sense that one can think the selection was based on historical figures whose documentation was rich enough to provide material for the book. A criticism that is ultimately difficult to accept, because the book does not claim to be a scientific study, but rather a popularized work intended for the general public. And here too, it fulfills its mission brilliantly, its success remaining undiminished.

Conclusion :

Quick and easy to read, pleasant, rich in anecdotes, I would only tend to recommend it to those who have always been fascinated by human madness!
Happy reading!