- Hardcover: 416 pages
- Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson; illustrated edition edition (1 Jun 1993)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0297813528
- ISBN-13: 978-0297813521
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 15.4 x 4.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 230,185 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
Alan Clark, historian and politician, has been a long-time diarist, recording his life socially and politically over many years. This volume covers the period from the death of his father, Lord (Kenneth) Clark, to the moment when he became subject to the Privy Council oath in February of 1991. Thus the diaries cover two full Parliaments serving under Margaret Thatcher until her ousting in a coup (which Clark observed closely from the inside) and then under John Major. Cabinet colleagues, royalty, ambassadors, civil servants and foreign dignitaries all have their conceits illuminated. And a succession of pretty girls cross the stage, and the delights and pain which they cause the author are recorded. Clark notes what he observes, what he hears, what he believes and he admits his own ambitions and foibles. Alan Clark was MP for Plymouth (Sutton) 1974-1992.
From the Publisher
Engagingly written in a light-hearted style which transfers effortlessly to tape.
With the author reading his own words, we are given an enhanced personal account. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
With the author reading his own words, we are given an enhanced personal account. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
These diaries undoubtedly rank alongside Samuel Pepys and Chips Channon. Clark's utter shamelessness- he reminds himself to buy a Valentine's cardfor his mistress, and refers to his party's left as 'wankers'- isboth amusing and endearing. They also give n insight into the behind-the-scenes action in Mrs. Thatcher's government (Clark also records his crush on the Iron Lady)as well as the famed plotting and quiet arrangements of British politicians. Breath-takingly audacious and extremely funny, these diaries are well worth a read.
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio Cassette
Alan Clark reads from his diaries. His voice and intonation are sublime. The epitome of an old Etonian, he nonetheless effs and blinds his way through the cream of British political establishment of the 80s and 90s. Sadly this is a rather clumsy edit of the written diaries and leaves many references incomprehensible to the untutored ear (for example TK means Tom King, The Lady means Maggie Thatcher). There are no political autobiographies that make you laugh out loud except AK Diaries and few that give you an unexpurgated view of the personalities. No quarter sought or given in this giant of audio books... Now he is no longer with us, when I finished this tape yesterday I was deeply sad that he did not record the whole of his diaries. Scoop up this gem now - because you're worth it and so was he.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Read and re-read
This us quite simply one of my favourite books. Although I am interested in politics I don't think you would have to be to enjoy the book. Read more
Published on 19 April 2009 by C. Richardson
Alan Clark ! What a man!
This was brought just before the release of the TV series as an attempt at something a little different but had been sitting on my bookshelf for quite some time. Read more
Published on 18 Oct 2004 by J. Potter
A wonderful expose of the the Tories in the Thatcher years
Alan Clark's diaries are a compelling read. The man may be pomposity personified, hold unbelievably snobbish views on the importance to Britain of the landed gentry and his sheer... Read more
Published on 5 Sep 1999
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