The Fight for Freedom: Triumphs and Defeats

At a time when liberal values are under assault in many parts of the world, including the West, THE FIGHT FOR FREEDOM tells a riveting story of triumphs and defeats over 2,500 years, and looks to the future.

The fight to be free – waged by warriors, democrats, politicians, slaves, civil rights leaders, free-thinkers and ordinary people – has always stirred passions. Its heroes include Spartacus, Lincoln and Gandhi, and in modern times Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela.

The enemies have been despots like Stalin and Hitler – but sometimes also religions and ideologies. Surprisingly, even Americans and Europeans, who championed freedom in the past, have recently elected populist leaders caring little for liberal principles.

Concise and accessible, this book tells of a struggle that never ends. Encouragingly, even when liberty is trampled on, freedom fighters have always risen again. This is a heart-warming story of human endeavour that has enriched mankind.

Marcus Ferrar is a former Reuters correspondent who covered Eastern Europe during the Cold War, living in East Berlin and Prague. He is the author of several books about Germany, Eastern Europe, Communism and World War Two: 'A Foot in Both Camps: A German Past for Better and for Worse', 'Slovenia 1945: Memories of Death and Survival after World War II' and 'The Budapest House'.