AN ECONOMIST AND THE TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAREssential and definitive CATHERINE BELTON author of PUTINS PEOPLEWe are in a new era.From Trump Putin and Bolsonaro to Erdogan Xi and Modi selfstyled strongmen have become a central feature of global politics. At home they claim to be standing up for ordinary people against globalist elites abroad they posture as the embodiment of their nation. And everywhere they go they encourage a cult of personality.How and why did this new style of authoritarian leadership arrive How likely is it to lead the world into war and economic collapse And what liberal forces are in place not only to keep these strongmen in check but to reverse the trend The Age of the Strongman explores these essential questions and offers a bold new portrait of our world.TIMELY LASERSHARP.