Lady Thatcher gave him access to her own material and encouraged others to talk to him. The participants in the events described have been so frank in interview that we feel we are eavesdropping on their conversations as they pass. The Chartwell Bulletin invited distinguished political biographer John Campbell to review the newest… Her shortcomings are not omitted and her treatment of many of her colleagues could hardly be called sympathetic. Be the first to ask a question about Margaret Thatcher. Compared to the first volume, this was organised much more thematically which made it somewhat less enjoyable. Having had the 'origin' story in the first volume, Moore is able to devote his work to the detail of what happened during the second - and arguably most radical - Thatcher administration. This volume refers to a forthcoming third volume in the series, which I have not yet seen but hope to read when it is published. Really liked it even if it is not an easy read - immense amount of people involved, stories intertwined hopelessly with each other etc. One of her many left-wing critics, watching her that day, said 'I don't approve of her as Prime Minister, but by God she's a great tank commander.' Yes, Andrew, it’s another foot thick book about Thatcher. As the next volume of his official biography of Margaret Thatcher is published, Charles Moore … The episodes of the miner's strike , privatizations, Russia, Regan ,Ireland all are dealt with magnificently.. “It seems to have been meeting Methodist missionaries from India that inspired Margaret with her ambition, curious in someone little more than a child, to join the Indian Civil Service After listening to them, she remembered, 'I wanted to be an Indian civil servant, because I thought that India was a remarkable place and I would love to be a part, a cog in the wheel, of this great empire. Great discussion toward the end why people on the left hated her SO MUCH. The second of three volumes and covering the middle years of the Thatcher premiership, it is weighty, balanced and beautifully written. I thoroughly look forward to volume three! It is a must read for any serious student of the period, As I read my way through this book (about one of the "heroes" of my college years) I couldn't stop thinking "why do 'great' leaders so often prove to a) be such shits, and b) not end of being all that great behind closed doors? Margaret Thatcher : the authorized biography. Free UK p&p over £10, online orders only. Overall, a good detailed read, though I’d have much preferred a continuous narrative over the compartmentalized chapters. At this time, Maggie Thatcher seemed all powerful and there forever but you can see the cracks starting to appear especially with her marginalising of poor Geoffrey Howe who never got to do his dream job of Foreign Secretary properly. Start by marking “Margaret Thatcher: The Authorized Biography, Volume 2: At Her Zenith: In London, Washington and Moscow” as Want to Read: Error rating book. 'One of the best political biographies I have ever read' Dominic Sandbrook, Sunday TimesNot For Turning is the first volume of Charles Moore's authorized biography of Margaret Thatcher, the longest serving Prime Minister of the twentieth century and one of the most influential political figures of the postwar era. The second part of Charles Moore’s biography of the late British prime minister is a triumph It covers her able response to the miners' strike, her efforts at privatizing swaths of British industry that had unfortunately been nationalized by post-war socialistic governments (coal, aero, transport, telephone, and other industries), her outreach efforts to Irish peace, and other elements of daily government in one of the world's oldest democracies. I would recommend this book, but it did take me an awfully long time to read. Charles Moore: My 18 years getting to know Mrs Thatcher. (page 6)”, “And she also enjoyed a conversation on public questions which tended to take place in the parlour of the shop”, (Margaret Thatcher: The Authorized Biography #2), Margaret Thatcher: The Authorized Biography #2, Arthur Ross Book Award for Bronze Medal (2016), Margaret Thatcher: The Authorized Biography, Power, Sister! Obviously, this is the authorised biography and written by a sympathetic author. Every once and a while it's good to "go deep" in one's reading, studying an issue, event, of person in some depth. In June 1983 Margaret Thatcher won the biggest increase in a government's Parliamentary majority in British electoral history. She was at odds with the Queen over the Commonwealth and South Africa. Bravo Charles Moore. Unfair. Addressing both Thatcher’s iron will and political vulnerability, Herself Alone confirms Moore as one of our greatest living biographers. However, I guess that unlike the first volume, the author here is more constrained by government legislation. Excellent evaluation of Margaret Thatcher when she was Prime Minister of the UK between 1979 and 1987. She carried on within hours to give her leader's speech at the conference (and later went on to sign the Anglo-Irish agreement). For the only time since Churchill, she ensured that Britain had a central place in dealings between the superpowers.But even at her zenith she was beset by difficulties. Acclaimed Profile of the Woman who Transformed the British Political Landscape, Brilliant, I found the first volume in the trilogy heavy going but the second volume demonstrates Moore's skill in balancing both the genius and the hubris of Mrs Thatcher at the apogee of her power. But my Republican aunts from Northern Wisconsin thought she was the greatest political figure of their lifetimes. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Well, Charles Moore did subtitle this second volume of Thatcherography after a George Michael composition, and although on p638, he displays some impressive research skills in the pop culture of the times (even diehard punks may struggle to remember The Exploited’s ditty Maggie - sample lyric “Maggie, Maggie, you cunt / Maggie, Maggie, Maggie you fucking cunt”) it’s one of the few laughs in this otherwise very serious work. His exhaustive research produced an authoritative, richly detailed account of a tumultuou. Margaret Thatcher: The Authorized Biography, Volume Three: Herself Alone. extremely interesting nevertheless, Every once and a while it's good to "go deep" in one's reading, studying an issue, event, of person in some depth. 1 Review. But my Repub. So great to read such a complete account of her amazing life. There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Volume two : Everything she wants. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Margaret Thatcher The Authorized Biography Volume Two Everything She Wants by at the best online prices at … Fascinating insights into the complexity of her relationship with Ronald Reagan, her central role in Gorbachev's emergence as an agent for change in the moribund Soviet empire and the vast network of influence she built with a range of world leaders based on her extraordinary personality and charism. 'See Chapter X'). These domestic chapters highlight the foibles of the parliamentary system, as well as Thatcher's surprising openness to persuasion and reluctance to make decisions. So well and beautifully written. A well written book of the period with lots of new source material that illuminates what was seen publicly at the time. It sets the atmosphere of politics at that time really well and pulls you along through the book very successfully. I have taken a short break from "Maggie," but I am re-acquainting myself with her. Always be checking the footnotes. Very enjoyable. Apart from a weak chapter at the end which seemed to be little more than a set of quotes from leading intellectuals and left wing artistes bemoaning her success, followed up by an awkward and mercifully brief discussion on her fashion sense, the meat of the analysis focused on actual policy and its impact on British politics, society and international standing. Free delivery for many products! Volume 2 of the authorized biography. Charles Moore’s monumental biography of Britain’s first female Prime Minister concludes with a meticulously researched and rounded account of Margaret Thatcher’s final years in office. This exemplary biography covers the period between the end of the Falklands War and Thatcher’s third and final general election victory. On the privatisations, Westland and - particularly - relations with US and Russia, the impression you strongly get is of a Prime Minister who is continually isolated within her own Cabinet while still being at the peak of her powers. January 5th 2016 Very highly recommend. Margaret Thatcher: the Authorised Biography. Volume II follows closely on the heels of the equally impressive first volume, and dives straight into the political drama of 1983. Volume Two: Everything She Wants. This one covers the period between her second and third successful elections. Great discussion toward the end why people on the left hated her SO MUCH. One of the undisputedly good things about modern scholarship is that women’s history is finally getting its due.... Margaret Thatcher was the longest-serving Prime Minister of the twentieth century and one of the most influential figures of the postwar era. There are only so many times we can be told about how bad Mrs Thatcher was at managing her cabinet. The details and the interspersed humor from Moore make this text race along. Perhaps as a result of Vol 2 covering all of four years, the author seemed to lose any semblance of a chronological record. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of, Published Rather it offers a balanced and judicious assessment of Mrs T's strengths and weaknesses. Volume 2 has many of the same qualities but seems a little more rushed in preparation, perhaps not surprisingly. Obviously, this is the authorised biography and written by a sympathetic author. Maybe too much detailed when referring to any smallest piece of note, scribble, comments, etc. With unequaled authority and dramatic detail, the first volume of Charles Moore's authorized biography of Margaret Thatcher reveals as never before the early life, rise to power, and initial period as prime minister of the woman who transformed Britain and the world in the late twentieth century. This book is simply fantastic. This one was even more enjoyable than the first as it takes us through the years I can remember myself, so it brought back many memories. Charles Moore had unrestricted access to documents, and interviewed many key players. Clearly, a formidable, difficult, arrogant person, but also clear that she was principled, determined and appearing almost "Victorian" in her values. The relevance of this to the current disconnect between the same elites in British society and popular opinion was striking. The only letdown was a 40 page whine on how the liberals art elite didn’t like her. Volume Two of Moore's acclaimed authorized biography covers the central, triumphal years of her premiership, from the Falklands to the 1987 election.Based on unrestricted access to all Lady Thatcher's papers, unpublished interviews with her … I also found the sections dealing with MTs interactions with Reagan interesting. Like the best biographies, you come away learning a lot more than you’d have thought going in about both the politics and culture of the time. Margaret Thatcher. We see her as a public performer, an often anxious mother, a workaholic and the first woman in western democratic history who truly came to dominate her country in her time.In the early hours of 12 October 1984, during the Conservative party conference in Brighton, the IRA attempted to assassinate her. The book is well written and engaging. The book is well written and engaging. A very busy time. Moore spent many years working on this project. Margaret Thatcher was the longest-serving Prime Minister of the twentieth century and one of the most influential figures of the postwar era. I have taken a short break from "Maggie," but I am re-acquainting myself with her. Once those decisions were made, however, she was fearless, adamant. A book which filled in the long cold afternoons and nights over the Christmas holidays. This is the second volume of Moore's biography of Margaret Thatcher, and I found it even more interesting than the first volume. Again LONNNNG but as satisfying as Volume 1. Happy Women's History Month! And few figures are as fascinating and informative as Margaret Thatcher. And few figures are as fascinating and informative as Margaret Thatcher. This book would get more stars if Charles Moore wasn't so bitchy about Denis Thatcher. Vol 1 was a real thriller, encapsulating to a large degree the juggling act that modern British PMs have to perform while in office. In many respects this volume is much more of a "politico's" book than the first, as it i. Charles Moore continues to demonstrate his mastery of both the material and the art of the biography in this second volume. Another fabulous volume about one of my personal heroines by the very talented Charles Moore. So well and beautifully written. There was less that I didn't previously know in this volume, but for a serious student of politics some of the detail is fascinating as are some of the might have beens. Clearly, a formidable, difficult, arrogant person, but also clear that she was principled, determined and appearing almost "Victorian" in her values. Based on unrestricted access to all Lady Thatcher's papers, unpublished interviews w Margaret Thatcher was the longest-serving Prime Minister of the twentieth century and one of the most influential figures of the postwar era. Margaret Thatcher: The Authorised Biography, Volume Two – Everything She Wants, by Charles Moore - book review: When Thatcher talked at the Queen. Margaret Thatcher: The Authorized Biography, Volume Two: Everything She Wants By Charles Moore; Published by Allen Lane, 2015, 880 pp.Reviewed by JOHN CAMPBELL The late Lady Thatcher was an honorary member of The Churchill Centre and recipient of of the Centre’s Churchill Leadership Award. I spent the school year of 1991-92 at the LSE and the faculty would hardly speak her name. Fascinating insights into the complexity of her relationship with Ronald Reagan, her central role in Gorbachev's emergence as an agent for change in the moribund Soviet empire and the vast network of influence she built with a range of world leaders based on her extraordinary personality and charisma. We’d love your help. However, it covers a much shorter period that the first volume which, in places, makes it a little more chewy, and dare I say it, sometimes overanalysed. The background facts relating to these big historic events can be so vital. The book does provide quite a bit of "inside the locker room" commentary on UK politics that I'm sure an English reader would find easier to follow that I did. Charles Moore continues to demonstrate his mastery of both the material and the art of the biography in this second volume. This titanic figure, with all her capacities and all her flaws, storms from these pages as from no other book. I liked the first book slightly better but this is one is also excellent. Moore's exploration of the deep seated resentment within the establishment of Thatcher's leadership as a woman as well as their thinly veiled anti-semitism directed at the Jewish component of her government makes very interesting reading. 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