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Review
'Anyone hoping to penetrate Cameron's still rather opaque political personality will want to buy this book, which in readable…form offers much ammunition to both his admirers and detractors…This book gives a clear and convincing account of how Cameron raced past far better-known and more experienced rivals to become leader of the Tory party.' Telegraph
‘Provides many insights into the privileged background and the motivations of David Cameron. The authors underline the hard ambition and calculation behind the surface charm, raising fascination questions about what Cameron might be like as Prime Minister.' Peter Riddell, The Times
'If anyone doubts Cameron's classic Tory credentials, then this highly rewarding biography lays out the story brilliantly.' Sunday Telegraph
‘Readable and well researched.’ Chris Huhne, in the Observer ‘Books of the Year’
'This essential political textbook will be required reading for every journalist covering David Cameron's every move until the general election.' Independent
'Compelling and evidently well-researched.' Evening Standard
Sunday Telegraph
'If anyone doubts Cameron's classic Tory credentials, then this
highly rewarding biography lays out the story brilliantly.'
highly rewarding biography lays out the story brilliantly.'
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A very interesting biography of Cameron, the first impartial study of him and his rise to the head of the Tory Party. There are some revealing accounts from his Eton, Oxford, Smith Square and Carlton days which shed light on Cameron's life and career. A balanced book - which reveals postive and negative aspects of his life and personality - that will be of use to anyone interested in British Politics.
15 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Anyone with an interest in politics should be reading this book.
While describing a politician's biography as a 'page turner' may seem implausible, this is a book that is very readable and gives multiple insights into the formation of 'Dave' and his rise to Tory leader within 5 years of election as an MP.
That said, the first chapters seem rather worthy, being chronicles of Cameron's school days. In reality, such narrative is one of the strengths of the book, as it gives readers an insight into the world of the moneyed classes which Cameron comes from and his formative influences such as losing a 'safe' seat in 1997 and being on the Treasury team during "Black Wednesday". Knee-jerk class-warriors will instinctively despise him for Eton, Oxford, homes with tennis courts and the assumption that summer would mean languid days around the pool at a Italian villa.
Although not mentioned by the authors, Dave's unobserved presence at seminal events in Tory party history reminded me of Woody Allen's character 'Zelig', a human-chameleon who adapts to fit into any situation so that he will be comfortable and never experience any anxiety. But after examining the evidence of policy flip-flopping, political opportunism, presentation over substance etc., the authors generally find in favour of their man.
A value of the book comes from matching how Dave mines his insiders view of the many. many party bungles from 1992 to 2003 to inform and guide his actions now.
The core observation is that he is using his own media savvy & 'likeability' to remove the stigma of the Tories as the 'Nasty Party' before he attempts to lay out the policies to voters.
While describing a politician's biography as a 'page turner' may seem implausible, this is a book that is very readable and gives multiple insights into the formation of 'Dave' and his rise to Tory leader within 5 years of election as an MP.
That said, the first chapters seem rather worthy, being chronicles of Cameron's school days. In reality, such narrative is one of the strengths of the book, as it gives readers an insight into the world of the moneyed classes which Cameron comes from and his formative influences such as losing a 'safe' seat in 1997 and being on the Treasury team during "Black Wednesday". Knee-jerk class-warriors will instinctively despise him for Eton, Oxford, homes with tennis courts and the assumption that summer would mean languid days around the pool at a Italian villa.
Although not mentioned by the authors, Dave's unobserved presence at seminal events in Tory party history reminded me of Woody Allen's character 'Zelig', a human-chameleon who adapts to fit into any situation so that he will be comfortable and never experience any anxiety. But after examining the evidence of policy flip-flopping, political opportunism, presentation over substance etc., the authors generally find in favour of their man.
A value of the book comes from matching how Dave mines his insiders view of the many. many party bungles from 1992 to 2003 to inform and guide his actions now.
The core observation is that he is using his own media savvy & 'likeability' to remove the stigma of the Tories as the 'Nasty Party' before he attempts to lay out the policies to voters.
17 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book is immensely informative and easy to read, and fascinating to boot.
The two parts that stuck out in my mind were the chapters on Cameron's disabled son, Ivan, and the chapter in which Cameron lost the seat of Stafford in 1997. On a dreadful night for the Tories, the so-called 'safe Tory seat' lost its 10,000 majority to Labour. Abandoned by the constituency party, Cameron faced alone a town hall with the celebrating New Labour groupies and the Monster Raving Loony Party. This was topped off at the end of the night by a tearful pensioner saying to Cameron, "I don't want to die under a Labour government." Stung, Cameron vowed to do something about it.
The chapter on Ivan is deeply poignant and highlights an inner steal and resolve that belies Cameron's friendly approach. Peter Hitchens, who criticised Cameron for "always having had everything easy in life" in a television documentary, has publicly issued an apology to Cameron after reading this book.
A real page turner, and one that will help alter perceptions of Cameron as a Blair-wannabe. As the book says, Cameron is a Conservative right down to his bones, he was born into it, and actually - unlike George Osborne or Steve Hilton for example - is only a fairly recent convert to 'modern, compassionate Conservatism' himself.
Excellent.
The two parts that stuck out in my mind were the chapters on Cameron's disabled son, Ivan, and the chapter in which Cameron lost the seat of Stafford in 1997. On a dreadful night for the Tories, the so-called 'safe Tory seat' lost its 10,000 majority to Labour. Abandoned by the constituency party, Cameron faced alone a town hall with the celebrating New Labour groupies and the Monster Raving Loony Party. This was topped off at the end of the night by a tearful pensioner saying to Cameron, "I don't want to die under a Labour government." Stung, Cameron vowed to do something about it.
The chapter on Ivan is deeply poignant and highlights an inner steal and resolve that belies Cameron's friendly approach. Peter Hitchens, who criticised Cameron for "always having had everything easy in life" in a television documentary, has publicly issued an apology to Cameron after reading this book.
A real page turner, and one that will help alter perceptions of Cameron as a Blair-wannabe. As the book says, Cameron is a Conservative right down to his bones, he was born into it, and actually - unlike George Osborne or Steve Hilton for example - is only a fairly recent convert to 'modern, compassionate Conservatism' himself.
Excellent.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Cameron: The Rise of the New Conservative
Didn't know too much about our Prime Ministers background, so got this to gen up;) Found it informative, perhaps lacking some depth, but a good overall portrait of David Cameron's... Read more
Published 2 months ago by S. NAKONECZNYJ
Interesting but impenetrable
A fascinating and informative biography ruined by an appalling prose style.
At times the sentence construction is so tortuous it verges on the unreadable. Read more
At times the sentence construction is so tortuous it verges on the unreadable. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Sunburst
Enter Stage Right
It's fifty years since Theodore H White wrote "The Making of The President" in which he identified the importance of image in political success. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Neutral
A fascinating and insightful book
This is a very well written and researched biography of David Cameron. Surprisingly little is known of the new Prime Minister, and I eagerly await an updated version of this... Read more
Published 22 months ago by ewarren
Sympathetic portrait of young PM
There are surprisingly few books out there telling us much about the influences which have shaped our new PM. Read more
Published 23 months ago by susan
Useful biography of Cameron
Francis Elliott, the Whitehall Editor of the Independent on Sunday, and James Hanning, an old Etonian and the Executive Editor of the Independent on Sunday, have written a... Read more
Published on 23 Sep 2009 by William Podmore
The book for the future, which explains why he remains a threat to...
If you want to truly understand the turmoil and barriers in the jungle of politics, this is the book to read. Read more
Published on 26 Aug 2009 by S Firth
Good choice for tory dads
I bought this for my dad who's in his 70's and a tory. He loved it.
Published on 28 Aug 2008 by Mrs. M. R. Sanders
Sense of the character of the man
Very interesting read since it gives you a good sense of the character of the man today. He comes across as extremely intelligent, able and a great communicator, if somewhat... Read more
Published on 4 Dec 2007 by LearnedViking
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