Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 4, 2013. If you're looking for a concise read on Thatcher written in a compelling, literary style, look elsewhere. But she was also a social climber and became rather reticent about her humble origins above the grocer's store in Grantham. That said, the Falklands war (the last 4th or 5th of the book) is great and maybe worth reading apart from the rest of the book. Denis emerges as a more guiding presence than previously thought. Mr. Moore feels free to criticize her and offer his critiques with the wonders of hindsight, but still sticks to a very pro Thatcher line. You might not agree with her politics (especially in Scotland - she's not too popular here: An absolutely essential account for getting beyond the Thatcher caricature to reality. Margaret Thatcher: The Authorized Biography, Volume Two: Everything She Wants eBook: Moore, Charles: Amazon.com.au: Kindle Store Charles Moore spent several years researching this biography, and it shows. This was an interesting portrait of her, clearly very pro-Thatcher, but that's what you get when it is an authorized biography. Charles Moore's authorised life of Thatcher is clear-eyed and rich in telling detail. This is the first volume of a three part bio and is densely packed with detail (it clocks in at about 760 pages of text). Mr. Moore feels free to criticize her and offer his critiques with the wonders of hindsight, but still sticks to a very pro Thatcher line. Margaret Thatcher: Volume Three is published by Allen Lane (£35). Magisterial biography of a legendary political figure, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 28, 2020. Refresh and try again. I could hardly wait to read this book. Mrs. Thatcher kept few personal papers. My relatives all loved her, but when I studied in the UK as a young adult, she was pretty unpopular among academics. .orange-text-color {font-weight:bold; color: #FE971E;}View high quality images that let you zoom in to take a closer look. The third installment in Moore’s densely packed, endlessly revealing life of the Iron Lady. The 900 pages flew by, the experience feeling like a grand voyage rather than the 'yomp' that a biography can sometimes be. I was an admirer, but now see that you have to be as single-minded as she was, almost to the point of total selfishness, in order to to attain your goals. .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. For my review, I am copying from a message I sent to my Aunt. And this is just the first volume; I await the second. Free UK p&p over £15, online orders only. I'm only half way through this official biography but it is rivetting - meticulously researched and well written. This biography of one of the most influential political figures of the 20th century is impressive. Finishing reading Charles. Maybe but Charles Moore has written a page-turning book about one of Britain's most influential, and depending on one's standpoint, revered or detested prime ministers. But Moore’s is comfortably the best: indeed, with its elegant prose, dry wit, prodigious research and careful judgments, it is one of the best political biographies I have ever read.” –Dominic Sandbrook, Sunday Times “Now comes the first volume of an authorized biography that may well turn out to be one of the great lives of modern times…It is not often that you can say of a 900-page book that it leaves you wanting to read more. Definitely worth a read if you can manage 750 pages of trying to understand Margaret Thatcher the person. You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of, Published 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. 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 … Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. She was extremely feminine, played the piano and loved dancing. The dismal defeatism of her opponents in the establishment and the chaos wrought by Tony Benn makes you think why such an unlikable leader became admired. He is sympathetic but not uncritical. In his diary, Reagan recorded: ‘We had a private meeting in Oval office. Brilliantly researched and written. The 900 pages flew by, the experience feeling like a grand voyage rather than the 'yomp' that a biography can sometimes be. 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. 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. “A masterpiece of clear and intelligent writing…Margaret Thatcher: From Grantham to the Falklands is already one of the great classic political biographies.” –John O’Sullivan, The Weekly Standard“It’s an incredible level of access….Margaret Thatcher: From Grantham to the Falklands is the first of two volumes, and it presents a remarkable and richly detailed portrait.” –Craig Fehrman, Boston Globe “Thatcher was a remarkable politician and Moore does justice to her distinctive qualities.” –David Runciman, London Review of Books“Moore presents us with enough new material to offer a fresh, even vulnerable person behind the mythology…Moore’s writing is often elegant and vivid, particularly when he escapes the burden of authorized biographer by turning to commentary on Thatcher’s behavior and decisions.” –Jane Merrick, The Independent“Charles Moore gives a unique insight into his iconic subject…Startling.” –Richard Preston, The Telegraph “A notable landmark…meticulously researched and gracefully expounded…It is not the only biography to appear so opportunely, but Moore writes with greater freedom, insight, and objectivity…Both ideologically and personally, we now have a better understanding of the remarkable figure who became Britain’s first woman prime minister.” –Peter Clark, Financial Times “Highly readable.” –Joe Murphy, London Evening Standard “[Moore] is not afraid to address the contradictions and tease out the inconsistencies of his subject. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. CHARLES MOORE joined the staff of The Daily Telegraph in 1979, and as a political columnist in the 1980s covered several years of Mrs. Thatcher's first and second governments. This book covers Margaret's life from her childhood all the way to the end of the Falkland's war and was a splendid tour where you saw just how difficult it was for her to make her way into a world dominated by men and gain her epithet "The Iron Lady". 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. Volume three of Charles Moore’s biography of Margaret Thatcher,’Herself Alone’, is a monumental and ultimately tragic work. About Margaret Thatcher: At Her Zenith. Enter your mobile number or email address below and we'll send you a link to download the free Kindle App. 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. Based on the first volume, these are more than justified. 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. 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. It gives unparalleled insight into her early life and formation, especially through her extensive correspondence with her sister, which Moore is the first author to draw on. Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2015. Yet she comes across at times as a harridan, at times like a loving mother. I have read the Caro series on LBJ a. I am 51 so was a young person while Thatcher was PM. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. This book is frustrating: it's laudably detailed and researched (given Moore's access to Thatcher and her papers), but it is a) way too long; b) quite stuffy and written in a very flat, lifeless style; c) oddly myopic, in that it fails to provide any external context to the events in Thatcher's life (virtually no mention of Wilson's resignation, the devaluation crises, the deep social unrest of the 1970s in Britain, etc. CHARLES MOORE joined the staff of The Daily Telegraph in 1979, and as a political columnist in the 1980s covered several years of Mrs. Thatcher's first and second governments. Lady Thatcher gave him access to her own material and encouraged others to talk to him. Charles Moore’s Margaret Thatchers. Margaret Thatcher: The Authorized Biography, Volume One: Not For Turning (Vol 1) by Charles Moore (23-Apr-2013) Hardcover What an extraordinary achievement it was for a woman, from any background, but especially a grammar school girl from the English provinces, to climb the greasy pole of politics right to the top, with a razor brain, sheer hard work and inspiration - and to be re-elected three times. There was a problem loading your book clubs. 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.The first volume of his biography of … "Ironically, I've been completing this first of 3 volumes of Margaret Thatcher's official biography while watching the new "The Crown" season involving Mrs Thatcher. He has clearly spent so much time with her (figuratively) that he understands her inside and out. Charles Moore was born in 1956. A bossy, practical, loyal and considerate figure emerges. Margaret Thatcher: From Grantham to the Falklands is the first volume in a two volume biography of the Iron Lady by author Charles Moore. We look forward to the planned sequel.” “Moore’s pace, his fascination, and his command of detail never slacken. As my first introduction to Charles Moore, this was a wonderful surprise. I was 11 when Margaret Thatcher came to power in 1979. Years in the making by the editor of the Daily Telegraph, Charles Moore, the surprising - he was never really a Thatcher fanboy - but inspired choice to be Thatcher's official biographer. I will definitely be moving on to Vol 2 after a short holiday break. Your problems will be our problems, and when you look for friends we will be there.’ The private reception was equally warm, which encouraged Mrs Thatcher to be frank. In June 1983 Margaret Thatcher won the biggest increase in a government’s parliamentary majority in British electoral history. In the White House, Reagan welcomed her, declaring, ‘we share laws and literature, blood, and moral fibre’, and she responded, ‘The message I have brought across the Atlantic is that we, in Britain, stand with you. Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video! Thatcher is shown to be stubborn, difficult, and at times even a bit abusive of her colleagues. Margaret Thatcher was an amazing political leader. 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. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. 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. In June 1983 Margaret Thatcher won the biggest increase in a government’s Parliamentary majority in British electoral history. 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. When you've got 1100 pages in volume 1, you may dissuade people from reading more with so much focus on completely irrelevant details. Mr. Moore feels free to criticize her and offer his critiques with the wonders of hindsight, but still sticks to a very pro Thatcher line. (page xiii in the preface). Incredibly in-depth and well-researched while correcting some of the mistakes of previous books. By far the best book on the subject, and although the author is clearly an admirer he does bring in critical views where appropriate. Would have preferred to seen a two volume set, or one large volume released. 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. 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. He introduces a lot of characters in this first edition, and some of them I feel didn't need a footnote biography for them. She restored Britain's standing in the world, liberated the populous from the tyranny of the Trade Unions, encouraged all to aspire, took on the Argentinians and generally showed us all what courage is. 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. Kindle device required the hanging onto it, and his command of detail never slacken & was in. 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