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This digital document is an article from New Statesman (1996), published by New Statesman, Ltd. on October 7, 2002. The length of the article is 1092 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Everyone needs a Willie: Margaret Thatcher's trusted deputy may have appeared an amiable old buffer, but he was also irascible and "infinitely cunning". (Books).(Splendid! Splendid!: The Authorised Biography of Willie Whitelaw)(Book Review)
Author: Malcolm Rifkind
Publication: New Statesman (1996) (Magazine/Journal)
Date: October 7, 2002
Publisher: New Statesman, Ltd.
Volume: 131Issue: 4608Page: 48(2)

Article Type: Book Review

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Book Description

1928. There are few more singular love stories in the records of the great, and the author restores the picture of Mary Anne Disraeli in this book, incidentally throwing a new and agreeable light on the most baffling and enigmatic figure in the annals of British statesmanship. Her personality was one of extravagance and levities of speech and action.She was considered gauche, but her husband never strayed and made her the object of a constant and knightly attention. A wonderful story of the lifestyle and way of things in the early 1800s. ... Read more

Book Description

Amazon.com

At any time, Benjamin Disraeli would have been a remarkable man; during the time in which he lived, he was extraordinary. At various times a solicitor, a speculator, a journalist, and a politician, Disraeli was also a writer. In fact, his early publishing success, with such novels as Vivian Grey, The Young Duke, and Alroy, offset his political defeats as he attempted to gain a seat in the British parliament. Of course, today Disraeli is better remembered as one of England's greatest prime ministers than as a writer--an injustice that Benjamin Disraeli Letters will hopefully do much to correct.

In this sixth volume of the great man's correspondence, as in the previous five, all of Benjamin Disraeli's many talents (and flaws) are on display. In addition to his political acuity, these letters demonstrate why "Diz" is so much quoted, even today, as he brings a novelist's merciless eye and facility with language to the wild and woolly world of British politics. Historians will be especially pleased with this collection, filled as it is with the business of running a government, but even more casual readers can take pleasure in the vivid portrait of the Victorian era that Disraeli so entertainingly evokes. ... Read more

Book Description

By the time she stepped down in 1990, Margaret Thatcher had become one of her generation's outstanding political leaders, and perhaps the most powerful woman in the world. Possessing an iron will, she matched words with action in confronting the crises of the day in economic affairs, in the Falklands War, in Northern Ireland, in the great twilight struggle of the Cold War and finally in Europe. Under her leadership, Britain broke out of its decline and self-doubt to emerge once more as a major player on the international stage.

Margaret Thatcher put intense effort into her major speeches. As a result, they are uniquely revealing of how she developed that clear vision which would transform Britain and help shape international politics in the late 20th century. They begin with the speeches she made as part of her campaign to mold the ideas of the Conservative Party in Opposition. They continue with the famous addresses in which she expressed her convictions as prime minister and include recent lectures in which she gives her current, and controversial, thoughts about the world today.

This book of speeches is an essential companion volume to the two books of Margaret Thatcher's memoirs, as well as a masterly study of one of the great political figures of our time. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

not boring at all - good material, excellently written !
It is rare for books of 'collected speeches' or 'collected writings' not to be boring. But this book isn't. Perhaps because most if not all the speeches are thrilling and interesting, perhaps because they are excellently edited and written, perhaps because of their layout... All these things enabled the Rt. Hon. Lady Margaret The Baroness Thatcher to compile a truly fascinating collection of Her speeches during, before, and after Her years at Downing Street. For those interested in Thatcherism and British politics in general, this book will be an immensely valuable source of material, filled with easy-to-find data, information, and The Baroness Thatcher's views, on a variety of topics and issues, from Europe to the Falklands War, from international politics to tarde unions and taxing... For those of you who share the views and like the ways of The Baroness Thatcher, the book will be even more wonderful, as you'll be able to figure Her speak and debate, as if She were there, as you leaf through this excellent collection of Her speeches. For all others, it will still be excellent reading, pleasant and memorable.

An incredible read of the greatest Prime Minister ever!
This book shows off the complete genius of Margaret Thatcher (Supreme Goddess and head of the Thatcherite faith) at her best! An Outstanding read that could win over even the most skeptical of her critics to her creed. One has to bend to her will as they read, and are captured by her awe-inspiring collection of brilliance. One of the best book ever is shown here, it even comes close to her two thrilling memoirs. It is easy to tell that these speeches were concocted by the most intelligent, remarkable and gifted women on this earth. Absolutely incredible to read! A really excellent piece of work!

For serious politicos/students only...
There was once a time when orations and speeches of major players cast the mold for society and its subsequent historical frame. In the era of soundbites, that is far from true today. Speeches tend to be ignored save for the soundbites, and if the major points cannot be put into bulleted forms for display in the blue box above the newsanchor's shoulder, then often it will be ignored.

I wasn't sure if this book of speeches was intended to be the third of a three-volume set of Margaret Thatcher's autobiography. I bought it, having worked in Parliament during her time and having taken a degree in the field. But as I re-read the speeches, they were often far less remarkable in print than I remember (those which I do remember, that is). And as for speeches delivered on the floor of the House of Commons, there is no way any verbatim transcript can convey the mood and atmosphere of the House -- Hansard recounting was often dry and dull when what I would remember would be uproarious.

I found myself actually longing for a bulleted-point summary of each speech so that I could more easily find the important bits. The life Thatcher is able to give to her words fall flat on a printed page removed in time from the events surounding the speeches.

This book will be invaluable to that very small number who make a special study of political communications. I cannot imagine this book being of any wider interest, as the interesting bits will be found in the more interesting biographical volumes. I've not noticed this volume being remaindered to a large extent, which means the publishing house which miscalculated the demand for Thatcher's second volume 'The Path to Power' realised the blunder in time to make this volume remain an expensive one to be had.

Thus, you've got to really want it. And, in my opinion, unless you're a British political scholar, you won't.

Please do not misunderstand me in this appraisal. Thatcher is a brilliant speaker. However, few politicians are gifted with circumstances that lend themselves to timeless speeches; the relatively few instances where the actually speeches will be relevant for the overall history of Thatcher's period have those necessary pieces already incorporated into the other history texts.

beyond admirable and impressive; often BREATHTAKINGLY MOVING
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First published in 1997, and after the tremendous success of her memoirs "The Downing Street Years" and "The Path to Power", gathers fifty-nine of the Iron Lady's speeches, from her years as leader of the opposition, to her years as prime minister, to the time she stepped down in 1990, and through 1996.

Edited by Robin Harris, her trusted aide and adviser, a member of the prime minister's Policy Unit, director of the the Conservative Research Department, and a regular contributor to British, European and American publications. Neither the brief introductions to each speech nor the footnotes are ever verbose--providing backgrounds which only help in setting out its context.

Divided into The Opposition Years, The First Parliament, The Second Parliament, The Third Parliament, and After Downing Street, it is a most impressive selection from among Lady Thatcher's vast collection of speeches hitherto--the ones marking the most dramatic events of her time (the party conferences in opposition, the brief statement as she entered 10 Downing Street, after the IRA bombing in Brighton, amid the Falklands crisis, the Libya debate, the Gulf Crisis, and the speeches to The European Union and The House of Lords)--intensely revealing her character and unshakeable beliefs.

The impression one gets is of one who is not merely stubborn--she passionately stands on her principles, unwavering in the face of even the most vehement opposition, and never shy to explain WHY. One who, whether in opposition, in power or after, did not merely go where the wind was already blowing--she moulded the Conservative Party to her convictions, inspired even the initially-oblivious, convinced the sceptical, led the opposed, woke Britain from its self-doubt and decline, leading it to a renewed role in international affairs that lives to this day. And while she is said to have put intense effort into the drafting and polishing of each of her speeches, it is the genuine belief she had in, and her thorough mastery of every subject she spoke of or against (whether it was the Conservative Party, or Britain, or European affairs, or the partnership with America) that renders each speech most effective, if not at times breathtakingly moving.

Whether in admiration of Margaret Thatcher, or from a desire to study The Tories, or Britain, or great speeches, this is one book deserving of a place in one's study.
.

This is one very big book
I tell you, it's not easy to memorise every speech in this - but I'm working on it! An inspiring book by a very sexy lady. ... Read more

Book Description

Winston Churchill's key role in the outcome of the Second World War brought him international renown and arguably made him the most important figure in twentieth-century British politics. Born into an aristocratic family in 1875, his life spanned two centuries and nine decades of personal, social and political change, and it is against this background that Stuart Ball, a leading historian of modern British politics, discusses the remarkable ups and downs of Churchill's career.

After election to Parliament in 1900, Churchill rose quickly to high military and political office. But he changed parties twice, bringing his character and judgment into question, and during the 1930s he became politically isolated. His warnings of the need to deter Hitler were largely ignored and it was only after the failure of appeasement in 1939 that his reputation rose again. As a much-admired war-time prime minister and subsequently, during the Cold War, he traveled the globe tirelessly in pursuit of alliances and détente between America and Russia.

This concise biography is extensively illustrated with photographs, cartoons and documents, including personal correspondence, reflecting Churchill's dedication to literature, art and family alongside his tremendous public achievements. ... Read more