The Lady And The Peacock

The Life of Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma

Peter Popham

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The definitive biography of Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma's pro-democracy leader

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.

Published: 1 November 2011
ISBN: 9781409033486
Imprint: Ebury Digital
Format: EBook
Pages: 464

Categories:

Biography

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About the author

Peter Popham

Peter Popham has toured Burma as an undercover journalist many times since his first visit to the country in 1991. A foreign correspondent and commentator with the Independent newspaper, he covered South Asia (including Burma) for a period in the late 90s. Popham interviewed Suu Kyi when she was released from house arrest in 2002, and has met her again several times. He lives in London.

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Praise for The Lady And The Peacock

A challenging, important biography
Scotsman

Beautifully written and compelling in every aspect.
Joanna Lumley

Both warm and objective...will not be bettered for a long time
Independent on Sunday

provides a compelling account of her life and career.
Financial Times

Sensitive and moving
Sunday Times

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

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.

What a gift to our world and what a splendid telling of [Aung San Suu Kyi's life]. We are deeply indebted to Peter Popham for such a superb account.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu