The Power of the Powerless in the 20th Century

Truth and love must triumph over lies and hatred.“ Václav Havel

Martin Vopěnka weaves historical events with biographical narratives, describing the essence of a totalitarian society and the individual's yearning for truth.

Are there gaps in your children's knowledge of 20th-century history? Would they struggle to assemble basic information about Václav Havel's life? This experienced author describes the personality of the first Czech president within the context of 20th-century history. He artfully combines historical occurrences with personal accounts, describing the nature of a totalitarian society and the unwavering pursuit of truth by individuals. Young readers will acquire a lucid understanding of figures like Masaryk and Hitler, the aftermath of the Munich Betrayal, and the milieu in which Václav Havel came of age. Following February 1948, the thoughtful, privileged child transformed into an undesirable son of a bourgeois family with the label "unsuitable for studies". Nevertheless, his heart and intellect were in the right place. His clear vision of the world around him and his personal charisma eventually propelled him into the unofficial leadership of the anti-regime movement and the presidency of our country.

The audiobook is based on the book by Martin Vopěnka The Power of the Powerless in the 20th Century, published by Nakladatelství Práh in 2023. Text copyright © Martin Vopěnka, 2022. Translated from the Czech original by Anna Bryson. Translation © Anna Bryson, 2023. Narrated by Peter Hosking. Directed by Nikolai Ivaskiv. Technical editor Jaroslav Janda. Illustrations © Eva Bartošová. Editor of the audiobook Vojtěch Machálek. Published by Tympanum, s. r. o., 2023.

Václav Havel – The Power of the Powerless in the 20th Century