The Blair Years

Anthony Butcher · 09-07-2007, 01:04 AM

		The Blair Years (Hardcover)
by Alastair Campbell

The "Blair Years" is the most compelling and revealing account of contemporary politics you will ever read. Taken from Alastair Campbell's daily diaries, it charts the rise of New Labour and the tumultuous years of Tony Blair's leadership, providing the first important record of a remarkable decade in our national life. Here are the defining events of our time, from Labour's new dawn to the war on terror, from the death of Diana to negotiations for peace in Northern Ireland, from Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq, through to the Hutton Inquiry of 2003, the year Campbell resigned his position at No 10. But above all here is Tony Blair up close and personal, taking the decisions that affected the lives of millions, under relentless and often hostile pressure. Often described as the second most powerful figure in Britain, Alastair Campbell is no stranger to controversy. Feared and admired in equal measure, hated by some, he was pivotal to the founding of New Labour and the sensational election victory of 1997. As Blair's press secretary, strategist and trusted confidant, Campbell spent more waking hours alongside the Prime Minister than anyone. His diaires - at times brutally frank, often funny, always compelling - take the reader right to the heart of government. "The Blair Years" is a story of politics in the raw, of progress and setback, of reputations made and destroyed, under the relentless scrutiny of a 24-hour media. Unflinchingly told, it covers the crises and scandals, the rows and resignations, the ups and downs of Britain's hothouse politics. But amid the big events are insights and observations that make this a remarkably human portrayal of some of the most powerful people in the world. There has never been so riveting a book about life at the very top, nor a more human book about politics, told by a man who saw it all.


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Alex McKee · 09-07-2007, 07:50 AM

I might get this book.

Anthony Butcher · 09-07-2007, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex McKee

I might get this book.

Even if it is biased, I think that it still going to be a fascinating read.

Independent UKIP · 09-07-2007, 11:43 PM

I glanced at it and it looked a bit dull to me. And being rather parochial, UKIP does not get a mention in the diaries.

Hereward77 · 10-07-2007, 12:29 AM

Bound to be a load of spin, so okay for those who like fiction.

Alex McKee · 10-07-2007, 05:55 AM

Well, I agree with Tony, I think it will be very interesting.

Hereward77 · 10-07-2007, 05:14 PM

Apparently, the protege of Maxwell felt "suicidal" when Dr. Kelly was suicided. Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.

pentameter · 11-07-2007, 12:30 AM

I have no intention of putting money into Campbell's pockets, and so definitely won't buy the book.

Westcountryman · 11-07-2007, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pentameter

I have no intention of putting money into Campbell's pockets, and so definitely won't buy the book.

I was just thinking the exact same thing!

Anthony Butcher · 13-07-2007, 01:36 PM

This book seems to be making quite a splash. It is on the news, on the sofa shows, and doing well on the bestseller lists.

10-07-2007, 12:29 AM	#5 (permalink)
Hereward77 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,159	Bound to be a load of spin, so okay for those who like fiction. __________________ "The social experiment in China under Chairman Mao's leadership is one of the most important and successful in history." David Rockefeller, New York Times, August 10, 1973

10-07-2007, 05:14 PM	#7 (permalink)
Hereward77 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,159	Apparently, the protege of Maxwell felt "suicidal" when Dr. Kelly was suicided. Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight. __________________ "The social experiment in China under Chairman Mao's leadership is one of the most important and successful in history." David Rockefeller, New York Times, August 10, 1973

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09-07-2007, 07:50 AM	#2 (permalink)
Alex McKee Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Gloucester Posts: 6,666	I might get this book.

09-07-2007, 11:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
Independent UKIP Uber Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: London Posts: 2,429	I glanced at it and it looked a bit dull to me. And being rather parochial, UKIP does not get a mention in the diaries.

10-07-2007, 05:55 AM	#6 (permalink)
Alex McKee Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Gloucester Posts: 6,666	Well, I agree with Tony, I think it will be very interesting.

11-07-2007, 12:30 AM	#8 (permalink)
pentameter Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 310	I have no intention of putting money into Campbell's pockets, and so definitely won't buy the book.

13-07-2007, 01:36 PM	#10 (permalink)
Anthony Butcher Administrator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Long Ashton, Bristol Posts: 10,205 Party: None	This book seems to be making quite a splash. It is on the news, on the sofa shows, and doing well on the bestseller lists.