Incredibly in-depth and well-researched while correcting some of the mistakes of previous books. I'm only half way through this official biography but it is rivetting - meticulously researched and well written. .orange-text-color {font-weight:bold; color: #FE971E;}Enjoy features only possible in digital – start reading right away, carry your library with you, adjust the font, create shareable notes and highlights, and more. A compelling account of the rise of Margaret Thatcher, Moore gets as close to the human legacy as one can get. Nevertheless, I consider this book as a tremendous opus which offers you the opportunity to delve into Margaret Thatcher's life and live through the moments that marked her as one of the great personalities of British history. Admire or despise her, Margaret Thatcher stands head and shoulders above other politicians. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. There is no doubt that Margaret Thatcher had to withstand opposition from within her own cabinet at times; one questions whether this was due to gender bias. by Alfred A. Knopf, Margaret Thatcher: The Authorized Biography, Volume 1: Not for Turning. Top subscription boxes – right to your door, © 1996-2021, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates, Authorized Biography of Margaret Thatcher. Not only were you left with a sense of admiration for her pursuit to her career and her single minded determination whether it was in trying to reach her goal of becoming a lawyer or in her reluctance to fall into the trap of being a housewife/ stay at home mother. He has clearly spent so much time with her (figuratively) that he understands her inside and out. Other than that, the bio seems to pick u. All in all, a missed opportunity. Having attained the office of Prime Minister, it appears that Margaret Thatcher revelled in the Iron Lady soubriquet, attributed to Leonid Brezhnev, and even to believe that she was infallible. (This volume ends with the Falklands Dinner in Downing Street in November 1982.) After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. In June 1983 Margaret Thatcher won the biggest increase in a government’s parliamentary majority in British electoral history. This is neither a glowing acceptance of Thatcherism, nor is it highly critical of her rise and early tenure. Not at all dry and boring and it just shows in detail what and amazing character Mrs Thatcher was from a young age. The third installment in Moore’s densely packed, endlessly revealing life of the Iron Lady. Other than that, the bio seems to pick up a bit when she does become Prime Minister in 1979 and shows how divisive and uncompromising she was. Said she should have done it our way – an entire package – all or nothing.’. There was a problem loading your book clubs. Yet at moments of crisis, she occasionally adopted a crab-like attitude of trying to side-step decision making, whilst showing a face of unbroken determination to the outside world. More, I loved the character study of Margaret Thatcher- she was defined by an unwavering and sincere devotion to her principles and immense courage. It is sympathetic, but n. Excellent biography. .orange-text-color {color: #FE971E;} Explore your book, then jump right back to where you left off with Page Flip. This is a masterly piece of work.” –Matthew Parris, The Times   “Charles Moore is the perfect biographer: thorough, empathetic, enquiring, and eloquent. Moore's monumental first volume of Britain's longest-serving Prime Minister offers an amazing insight into the Iron Lady's life - from early childhood until the victory in the Falklands War. (page xiii in the preface). 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. 1 The biography draws on all the published material and, more importantly, a wealth of unpublished sources. Charles Moore's biography of Margaret Thatcher, published after her death on 8 April 2013, immediately supersedes all earlier books written about her. It teems with information; packed with detail. It is said that you either love or hate Margaret Thatcher. Extraordinary book. My relatives all loved her, but when I studied in the UK as a young adult, she was pretty unpopular among academics. It is not a light read; the reader owes it to the writer to attempt to assimilate the information which has so methodically been set down. The only stipulation was that the book be published after her death. This was an interesting portrait of her, clearly very pro-Thatcher, but that's what you get when it is an authorized biography. Lady Thatcher gave him access to her own material and encouraged others to talk to him. She devoted herself almost single-mindedly to her political career, some would say to the detriment of raising her family. I was 11 when Margaret Thatcher came to power in 1979. Margaret Thatcher: Volume Three is published by Allen Lane (£35). Covering the period from her childhood in Grantham to the Falklands War of 1982, it offers the most comprehensive account yet published of Thatcher’s early life. 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 … That told the story of the lonely rise of the Midlands grocer’s daughter to become the first woman leader of the Conservative Party and then, four years later, Britain’s first woman prime minister. After reading part 1 of this biography a while ago (, Very few biographies I've read have been as engaging, accessible and as penetrating as this first volume by Charles Moore, detailing Thatcher's life from the beginning through until her Falklands triumph in 1982. The first volume of his biography of Margaret Thatcher, published in 2013, won the Elizabeth Longford Prize for Historical Biography, the HW Fisher Best First Biography Prize and Political Book of the Year at the Paddy Power Political Book Awards. He was Editor of the Spectator 1984-90; Editor of the Sunday Telegraph 1992-95; and Editor of the Daily Telegraph 1995-2003, for which he is still a regular columnist. This volume takes us from childhood, through the rise of Margaret Thatcher’s political career, to the pinnacle of her Prime Ministership, culminating in the victory of the Falkland Islands war in the early 1980s. Date accessed: 13 April, 2021 Not For Turning is the first of two projected volumes in the authorized biography of Margaret Thatcher. A former Telegraph editor authoring a three volume biography of Margaret Thatcher sounds like a recipe for hagiography, and so I didn’t consider reading this until the third volume came out earlier this year and got universally excellent reviews. This is neither a glowing acceptance of Thatcherism, nor is it highly critical of her rise and early tenure. A compelling account of the rise of Margaret Thatcher, Moore gets as close to the human legacy as one can get. Magisterial and comprehensive biography, beautifully written and organized. Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free. Charles Moore's full account, based on unique access to Margaret Thatcher herself, her papers and her closest associates, tells the story of her last period in office, her combative retirement and the controversy that surrounded her even in death. Charles Moore’s multi-volume biography of Thatcher harks back to an ancient tradition. As with Vol 1, Charles Moore has written a compelling and very well-researched biographty of Margaret Thatcher, during her second term, following the triumph of the Falklands War. Absolutely stunning feat of research and writing. Hopefully, Volume 2 is better. “Why are you doing this, Ron? This biography of one of the most influential political figures of the 20th century is impressive. Hopefully, Volume 2 is better. He was editor of The Spectator 1984–90; editor of the Sunday Telegraph 1992–95; and editor of The Daily… More about Charles Moore This is part one, which takes us up to 1982. Please try again. Moore is quite thorough in his work. The 900 pages flew by, the experience feeling like a grand voyage rather than the 'yomp' that a biography can sometimes be. Finishing reading Charles. The level of in-depth-analysis is mind-boggling. She truly was an Iron Lady. Although written by a former Daily Telegraph editor, you would be wrong in thinking that this is purely a love-in for the Iron Lady. I am on Episode 6 of the TV series, but, although the series gets some things right, I think it ultimately doesn't do justice to the incredible accomplishments and humanity of this amazing leader, the first female leader of a major Western nation in Europe (of course, we, For my review, I am copying from a message I sent to my Aunt. Wilson, London Evening Standard. Excellent biography. Absolutely fantastic. Moore does a superb job in conveying, towards the end of Thatcher’s time in office, the rioting in the streets, the resignations, the collapse of the Soviet bloc and the return of double-digit inflation, until the parallel narratives of themes subside into … All credit to Moore for producing such a thorough account, a work that must have taken him years to assemble. Moore’s felling of Thatcher’s life up until she becomes Conservative leader are actually the highlight - he forensically looks at how her time in Grantham, Oxford and as a PPC shapes her life, an. Continuing a story that, though skillfully told, runs very long, Moore begins in the late spring of 1987, when Margaret Thatcher has just won her third victory in the general election. Margaret Thatcher: From Grantham to the Falklands is the first volume in a two volume biography of the Iron Lady by author Charles Moore. The downside is that this book ends with the Falklands War and the second volume is not due out for several years. * Her office set aside forty minutes each day for hairdressing (with rollers), and submitted her personal details in preparation for receiving an honorary degree at Georgetown University: ‘Height 5'4";** Weight 10.5 stone; Coat 14 English; Hat size 7’. Curiously, Margaret Thatcher seemed a more distant figure in 2013, just after her death, when Charles Moore published the first volume of his biography of her, than she does now. Margaret Thatcher: The Authorized Biography, Volume 1: From Grantham to the Falklands 4.16 avg rating — 903 ratings — published 2013 — 4 editions Denis emerges as a more guiding presence than previously thought. On virtually every page there is a revelation that, had it been known at the time, would have blasted all the rest of the news off the front pages…This book is a triumph of diligence. Other issues that I feel were present in this book was his lack of clarity of British Politics to the Non-British readers, and the fact that he spelled out her daily life as if he was reading her diary and putting it in this book. In her own lifetime she was both admired and reviled by many. The result is to paint a much more multidimensional portrait of Thatcher than the caricature heroine adored by the right or the devil incarnate loathed by the left…The prose is intricate, elegant and laced with dry humor…immensely adds to our knowledge and understanding of the longest-reigning prime minister of the democratic age.” –Andrew Rawnsley, The Observer “Moore has produced a biography so masterly—so packed with fascinating detail, with such a strong narrative drive, propelled by a central character who is at the same time both very bizarre and very conventional—that it comes as close as biography can come to being a work of art…Friends and foes of Thatcher, and agnostics and sceptics too, will all find plenty on which to feast. Charles Moore's authorised life of Thatcher is clear-eyed and rich in telling detail. He has clearly spent so much time with her (figuratively) that he understands her inside and out. Charles Moore was born in 1956. Other issues that I feel were present in this book was his lack of clarity of British Politics to the Non-British readers, and the fact that he spelled out her daily life as if he was reading her diary and putting it in this book. I second Michael Barone's review that this is one of the best political biographies ever written. At the moment when she becomes a historical figure, this book also makes her into a three dimensional one for the first time. Moore is clearly an admirer of his subject, but he does not shy away from criticising her or identifying weaknesses and mistakes where he feels it is justified. Expressed regret that she tried to reduce govt. As my first introduction to Charles Moore, this was a wonderful surprise. Yet although huge, it quite dances along and because of his very pronounced sense of the absurd, often makes us laugh out loud.” –A.N. She was without doubt the most divisive figures in British postwar politics,and I wanted to find out for myself why she attracted such strong feelings. Margaret Thatcher was an amazing political leader. I read it a few chapters at a time, interspersing my reading with lighter material, such as Les Dawson's 'Well Fared My Lovely.' This is the first of two volumes, and interestingly Moore chose to bisect them not upon Thatcher's accession to power in 1979 but, rather, upon the outbreak of the Falklands War in 1982. Her father was a hero to the young Margaret and the inspiration behind her political ambitions. As my first introduction to Charles Moore, this was a wonderful surprise. Free UK p&p over £15, online orders only. To get the free app, enter your mobile phone number. Not 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. This third volume, Herself Alone, completes Moore’s work. This is part one, which takes us up to 1982. Chronicling her rise to power and the poverty of achievement prior to the Falklands, Moore captures the driven and unimaginative leader apparently doomed to failure. Moore writes so well -- wonderful verbs. Enjoy a great reading experience when you buy the Kindle edition of this book. He introduces a lot of characters in this first edition, and some of them I feel didn't need a footnote biography for them. Still reading it in bed and I'm only half way through. Margaret Thatcher was an amazing political leader. -- it's written for an audience that already knows UK history well). 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