Postcards of Political Icons

The twentieth century has seen perhaps more political upheaval and change than any other period. At the turn of the century, Queen Victoria still reigned, the British Empire was at its height and the old world order was firmly in place. One hundred years later, the balance of power has shifted from national to economic empire. This book draws together a unique collection of unusual and surprisingly personal images of the individuals who influenced and shaped the course of the twentieth century in the political arena. The postcards include images of the leaders who presided over the demise of colonialism, who led the communist revolution, who were in the vanguard of the rise of dictatorship and fascism, who fought two world wars and prevented the start of a third war. They include individuals who never held political office or whose moment in the spotlight was brief, but whose influence was nevertheless profound. This is a fascinating and unique insight into the iconography of political power.