The Lady And The Peacock: The Life of Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma

Book Description

Peter Popham’s major new biography of Aung San Suu Kyi draws upon previously untapped testimony and fresh revelations to tell the story of a woman whose bravery and determination have captivated people around the globe. Celebrated today as one of the world’s greatest exponents of non-violent political defiance since Mahatma Gandhi, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize only four years after her first experience of politics.

In April 1988, Suu Kyi returned from Britain to Burma to nurse her sick mother but, within six months, found herself the unchallenged leader of the largest popular revolt in the history of Burma. When the party she co-founded won a landslide victory in Burma’s first free elections for thirty years, she was already under house arrest and barred from taking office by the military junta.

Since then, ‘The Lady’ has set about transforming her country ethically as well as politically, displaying dazzling courage in the process. Under house arrest for 15 of the previous 20 years, she has come close to being killed by her political enemies and her commitment to peaceful revolution has come at extreme personal cost.

In November 2010, after fraudulent elections in which she played no part, Suu Kyi was again freed. She was greeted by ecstatic crowds but only time will tell what role this remarkable woman will have in the future of her country.

Review
“Sensitive and moving”–Jon Swain, Sunday Times

“Highly readable…a fresh approach”–Evening Standard

“A portrait both warm and objective… it will not be bettered for a long time”–Independent on Sunday

“An impressive achievement”–Herald Scotland

“Accessible and impeccably researched…a poignant account of Suu Kyi’s life and her efforts to establish democracy in Burma”–The Independent

“Masterly… superb”–Archbishop Desmond Tutu

“The most comprehensive, accessible, honest and fair biography of Aung San Suu Kyi to date, blowing away all previous efforts.”–Benedict Rogers, author of Than Shwe: Unmasking Burma’s Tyrant

“The definitive and superbly written account of one of the most intriguing and admirable political and moral figures of our times.”–Pankaj Mishra, author of From the Ruins of Empire

Book Description
The definitive biography of Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma’s pro-democracy leader, now the subject of Luc Besson’s film, ‘The Lady’