HAVEL IN AMERICA

Havel v Americe is a new book by journalists Rosamund Johnston and Lenka Kabrhelová and contains testimonies of American politicians and other public figures who personally knew Havel and his legacy. Vaclav Havel is remembered as an inspirational leader and a trustworthy politician.

HAVEL IN AMERICA.

Rosamund Johnston is a journalist¹ and historian² from New York University.  Lenka Kabrhelová is a journalist, too, but she was also a Czech Radio correspondent³ in the U.S.A.  They are the authors of a new book about Václav Havel from 2019.  The name of the book is Havel v Americe.

There are Václav Havel‘s interviews with a lot of famous Americans in the book, for example with Madeleine Albright, Bill Clinton, Henry Kissinger or George W.Bush.

Madeleine Albright says: “Havel was modest⁴, honest⁵ and generous⁶.  That’s why he was popular among politicians.”.

Bill Clinton, former⁷ American President, says: “Havel is a real friend.  He likes jazz and rock-and-roll.  Even people in the street believe him, which is very important.“.

Another politician, Henry Kissinger, says this: “We need leaders⁸ like Havel, but we don’t have them anymore.  Societies⁹ need dreams.“.

Suzanne Vega says: “Havel had a funny habit.He drew lines on tablecloths¹⁰ with a fork.  I don’t know why.  Maybe because he liked order.”.

Vocabulary: ¹novinář|²historik|³zpravodaj|⁴skromný|⁵poctivý|⁶velkorysý|⁷bývalý|⁸vůdce|⁹společnost|¹⁰ubrus
Language notes: was=byl, byla (min.čas j.č.)| Czech Radio=Český rozhlas| real friend=skutečný
přítel| in the street=na ulici| very important=velmi důležitý
Sources: R.Johnson, L.Kabrhelová – Havel v Americe.