The Downing Street Years: The compelling autobiography from a political icon

An absolute must read for an insight and an understanding of the the Thatcher years as prime minister.Whatever ones of opinions of the Thatcher governments, political scientists and historians cannot make any judgements without extensive reference to this particular piece of work.From a personal point of view, her revelations concerning the development of the European integrative process and her opposition to its direction is fundamental to providing an understanding as to why so many eventually came to support the UK’s eventual decision to leave.

Bought it for her birthday, she loves it, big maggie fan, who needed the miners anyway

Anyone interested in the Thatcher years or Thatcherism will need to read the woman herself. As Charles Moore's biography makes clear, Thatcher had help with the book - not surprising or a criticism - but even so there is the authentic voice of Margaret Hilda on almost every page. There are: the homilies; the trite little sayings; the demotic statements that would grace any saloon bar conversation among Mail readers; the stern restatement of obvious insights; the disloyal remarks about colleagues that are contrasted with statements of loyalty almost immediately after; the dismissal of all contrary views as wrong and opponents dismissed as wrong(unless they happen to agree with her - like Callaghan on the Falklands - in which case she quotes them approvingly).She names a law after herself - Thatcher's law - which states that "in politics the unexpected happens". Had she a greater knowledge of history and less conceit, she might have recognised MacMillan's languid observation, "events, dear boy", that made essentially the same point. But no, Thatcher had to have this insight herself and share it with us, as though it were original. Priceless. If one didn't know better one might think some of the remarks were a parody of the Pooterish provincialism of the woman.All that said, this is undoubtedly Thatcher's book so it is as well to be reminded that as well as determination she was also a bully, self-righteous (big time), and a narrow-minded woman who reflected her oft mentioned shop-owning background in the 1920s. I think we expect a bit more of a PM in their view of the world, though ultimately she reflects the essentials of western democracy, albeit slightly narrowly and in cliched language. often it is how she expresses her opinions that is the problem , not the opinion itself. (The contrary may be said of Blair, who was charming while taking us to a war we did not need to have). Read, admire and be irritated in whatever proportions reflect your views. She was a formidable woman and the book is her view of events. Essential reading

Was in good condition, good for value.

I gave it 5 stars, because it's Magaret's OWN book. I sure could have read many other books but I want to see Things from her point of view. It is about 800 pages long and normally I read one book at the time, but in this case I won't. because it's so long. But, i bought the book of plain curiosity, and I DO adore Maggie's stubborness and strength, which says a lot about integrity. Well - I DO agree her reluctance to privatize the Royal Mail is justified, but still time will only tell if privatizing Railways, mines etc done still good, despite our disagreement(most people)...This book is not emotional. Many facts in it, and she explains her own convictions, and this could only be done in this book. Worth Reading! Even just to get to know who she was, and what set of beliefs made her try and change the society the way she tried.

That's the best book I've ever read on Margaret Thatcher.I really love and admire her and her policies, but this book is top of the top when it comes to the Downing Street years.You feel like joining the Falkland islands war, or the miners strikes.You actually feel like a fly on the wall of the prime ministers office.Details and figures are not too many nor too few.You get the numbers but more important, you get the feeling, the aura of those troubled days.And you get to understand why UK became the powerful nation it is nowadays.This woman changed the way people think not only in the UK but in the entire Europe or maybe the world.And see did so because she wasn't willing to pull back and withdraw from battle.Read all about the difficult choices she had to make, the dilemmas she had to face.

Margaret Thatcher's Memoirs offer an insight that one could only imagine to be part of during any reign and fall of power. It is often hard to imagine the Iron Lady as any thing more than a politician, however this book gives an insight to her love of science, the arts and British Society.Whatever your opinions on the Iron Lady, this collection of memoirs is certainly important to any one with an interest in modern British politics and society, and once picked up it will be hard to put down.Incredibly well written with a formality but casual enough in style for mid-range readers.

Bought for my wife for Xmas but she has only just started reading it during lockdown. With 862 pages of small print we will need another lockdown or two to complete!However she is finding it very interesting and very well written. A fascinating insight into British politics.