The Iron Lady: A Biography of Margaret Thatcher

"Whoever won a battle under the banner 'I Stand for Consensus'?" - Margaret ThatcherHugo Young's THE IRON LADY covers virtually all of Thatcher's political career, beginning with her election to Parliament as the Member from Finchley in 1959. (Trivia question: What was Thatcher's university degree? Answer: Chemistry) While the book certainly includes Margaret's ventures onto the world stage - the Falklands conflict being the foremost example - and her relationship with other political giants of the time, principally Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, the bulk of THE IRON LADY is confined to the UK's domestic issues. And, except for one reference to an interview with the PM in which she announced that her underclothes came from Marks & Spencer, the tone of the narrative is humorless verging on dour. For this reason, I can't say I enjoyed the volume. My completion of it, simply out of a sense of duty and the desire to learn about one of the great figures of 20th century British politics, literally took weeks. It's a book one can easily put down for lighter fare without guilt or qualm.The material for this political bio was extensively researched. Therefore, I have to believe that the author, willing to spend so much time on the project, must at least respect, if not grudgingly admire, Thatcher's political achievements. I say "grudgingly" because it came across, at least to me, that Young didn't like his subject at all, a lack of personal affection shared, the author concludes, by the British electorate at large.My main complaint is that THE IRON LADY is too comprehensive. It dedicates more than an adequate amount of print to the personalities, careers, and philosophies of other figures in Margaret's political life, both before an during her administrations. As an example, there was one interminable section on an information-leakage scandal involving British defense contractor Westland and rival Cabinet Ministers Heseltine and Brittan that was mind-numbingly arcane. Young's purpose was, I gather, to make a point about Thatcher's deviousness. My point is that a hundred pages of the book could've, and should've, been lopped off.Regardless of its shortcomings, THE IRON LADY is, in the absence of more engaging versions, an excellent source of knowledge on its subject. It is, perhaps, compulsory reading for any student of Margaret Thatcher's three terms as British Prime minister, from 1979 to 1990, even though it leaves off (with an Epilogue) in 1989, when the book was published, the year before Thatcher relinquished leadership of Her Majesty's Government and the Conservative Party to John Major. (Major is given only two passing mentions near the end of the 564-page text.) So, a reluctant 4 stars up from 3.

This is an author who was clearly passionate about his subject. A meticulously written book, no stone was left unturned. Every sentence was well crafted and in perfect rythmn. It takes you into the world of Margaret Thatcher before and during her years in Downing Street. It provides an insight into the inner workings of the British government, in fact any government with constant infighting and manipulations. Not light reading, and not for the easily bored,looking for a quick read. It is a really well written book.

I saw the movie the Iron Lady with Meryl Streep and was disappointed. Wanted to know more about her administration when she was PM.

I love strong ladys & this is two of them in one book.I haven't had time to read the book yet but I just know it will be one that will hard to put down & won't want to end.

Hugo Young wrote one of the best political biographies of the twentieth century. Skipping over most of the personal, Mr. Young dedicates his time to the machinery of the Thatcher premiership. Her command of the policies and her links to those who propelled her to the leadership. The fact that she was the only one among the Tory Right willing to challenge Ted Heath head-on goes to show her political skill and ability to get others to bend to her will.Her ability to make the Tory 'wets' as they were called conform to her plan was also discussed. Her marginalization of the old grandees of the Tory party and replacement with tinder dry men like Cecil Parkinson and Norman Tebbit demonstrated her skill. Keeping her enemies in the party just close enough to manipulate them and then marginalize them.There are those like Norman St. John-Stevas and Francis Pym and Jim Prior who ended up marginalized. Then there is Willie Whitelaw, whose loyalty and support she relied on in the tough times during the recession of 1980-81. However, one can see that in marginalizing these people, she was laying the seeds of her own ouster in 1990.The Falklands is dealt with superbly. How close run the thing was is quite well brought out. Her unwillingness to bend, and her unstinting leadership in crisis is brought to the fore. Her leadership was unquestioned and so the 1983 landslide was a guarantee.The book does not show the downfall, in fact it is written when she was still at the height of her powers. Her determination and her ability to achieve what she did, despite the constant carping from those in her own party are detailed well.Young is a great writer. A man who lived the events and reported them as well. I do wish he had spent a bit more effort detailing the miner's strike in 1984-85. That controversial period is not hit at with as much detail as I would like. However, this book is the definitive biography contemporary to the time she served. Read it and enjoy while reliving the Thatcher era from a man who chronicled it.