
- 176 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
About this book
'A compelling account of a compulsory subject ... A masterpiece of compression and readability' Daniel Finkelstein
'A deft, clear-eyed summary of Thatcher's life' Rory Stewart
'Iain Dale introduces Margaret Thatcher to a new generation and intelligently explodes some of the myths about her' Simon Heffer
Margaret Thatcher was a woman of tremendous paradoxes: a conviction politician who was also a pragmatist; someone who delighted in her tough reputation, yet could also be emotional, and even tearful, when confronted by personal or national tragedy. Her reputation as a cabinet leader was one of being quasi-dictatorial, yet she left her ministers to get on with their jobs – far more than any of her successors ever have. She was known as a classical laissez faire liberal, yet she started out as a social conservative, and wasn't averse to state intervention when she felt it was warranted.
Iain Dale's sparkling short biography of Margaret Thatcher brings her to life in all her paradoxes and contradictions, and shows how her election in 1979 really was a turning point in British history. Dubbed the 'Iron Lady' by the Soviets, she was one of the few recent prime ministers to burnish an international reputation, fighting the Falklands war, playing a leading role in defeating Communism and winning the Cold War, and through her battles with the European Economic Community. Domestically, she ushered in a period of forty years of consensus on the limited role of the state, an industrial relations settlement and the dominance of the private sector in the economy – a settlement that is only now being seriously questioned.
A little over a decade after her death, Margaret Thatcher introduces her to new generations of readers who may not remember her premiership, but who are living with its consequences.
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Contents
- Foreword
- Introduction
- Chapter 1 • The Making of a Politician, 1925–59
- Chapter 2 • Climbing the Greasy Pole
- Chapter 3 • Winning the Leadership
- Chapter 4 • Leader of the Opposition
- Chapter 5 • Goodbye Keynes, Hello Friedman
- Chapter 6 • Reforming the Trade Unions
- Chapter 7 • Northern Ireland
- Chapter 8 • Victory in the Falklands
- Chapter 9 • Foreign and Commonwealth
- Chapter 10 • Reagan and Gorbachev
- Chapter 11 • Europe
- Chapter 12 • Downfall
- Chapter 13 • After Downing Street
- Chapter 14 • Success and Failure
- Chapter 15 • Twelve Myths
- Acknowledgements and Further Reading
- Copyright Page