- Paperback
- Publisher: Phoenix; MMP TV TIE IN edition (19 Feb 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0753818590
- ISBN-13: 978-0753818596
- Product Dimensions: 12.9 x 3.4 x 19.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 603,736 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Diaries: In Power: In Power
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Product Description
Book Description
The first volume of Alan Clark's bestselling DIARIES, covering the downfall of Margaret Thatcher.
Product Description
The first volume of Alan Clark's diaries, covering two Parliaments during which he served under Margaret Thatcher - until her ousting in a coup which Clark observed closely from the inside - and then under John Major, constitute the most outspoken and revealing account of British political life ever written. Cabinet colleagues, royalty, ambassadors, civil servants and foreign dignitaries are all subjected to Clark's vivid and often wittily acerbic pen, as he candidly records the daily struggle for ascendancy within the corridors of power.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A brilliant warts-and-all expose of the United Kingdom's runaway political party of the 1980's. Deeply honest, often brilliant, occasionally slipping into self-pitying apathy, Alan Clark documents a uniquely personal (and, many would say, uncomfortably realistic) view of the steamroller that was Thatcherism. Balanced by an enviable personal account of his time as one of the upper classes, this book delivers pleasure by the bucket-load on many levels. Overall, an immensley enjoyable and insightful read - even if, like myself, you do not share his views, background, politics, etc. The world is a poorer place without Alan Clark.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Alan Clark's diary is a book that the reader can read and re-read, find favourite passages time and time again and then quite unexpectedly discover new entries that will become the new favourite passages.
The book follows Clark through his time as a Junior Minister and his successes, failures and plotting in his various posts, his endless trips abroad and wasted afternoons in pointless and tedious meetings and visits to his constituency. He longs to have higher office but probably knows that cerrtain 'indiscretions' and his often radical views will rule him out of this. Clark's views are wide-ranging and radical and strong views are expressed ranging from animals to the 'lower classes'. He also expresses admiration for unlikely opponents such as Dennis Skinner MP and cries when he is forced to shoot a heron. This is what makes him such a fascinating individual. He is not predictable and the reader does not know what to expect next.
The reader also sees Clark and his rich and varied private life - at points it seems he exists to only spot pretty girls in the crowd. What does come through, however, is his love for his wife, although, as he himself says, he often treats her badly, and his love of his trips to Zermatt and Scotland. This is a man who is privileged and has lived well.
The other editions of the diaires are also well worth reading and I defy anyone not to be moved to tears at the end of the final volume.
In conclusion many readers may find Clark unlikeable but they must ask themsleves what would the public reaction be to the publication of their own diaires?? Read this book, enjoy it and take it with a pinch of salt and hope that more individualistic politicians such as Clark will enter public life.
The book follows Clark through his time as a Junior Minister and his successes, failures and plotting in his various posts, his endless trips abroad and wasted afternoons in pointless and tedious meetings and visits to his constituency. He longs to have higher office but probably knows that cerrtain 'indiscretions' and his often radical views will rule him out of this. Clark's views are wide-ranging and radical and strong views are expressed ranging from animals to the 'lower classes'. He also expresses admiration for unlikely opponents such as Dennis Skinner MP and cries when he is forced to shoot a heron. This is what makes him such a fascinating individual. He is not predictable and the reader does not know what to expect next.
The reader also sees Clark and his rich and varied private life - at points it seems he exists to only spot pretty girls in the crowd. What does come through, however, is his love for his wife, although, as he himself says, he often treats her badly, and his love of his trips to Zermatt and Scotland. This is a man who is privileged and has lived well.
The other editions of the diaires are also well worth reading and I defy anyone not to be moved to tears at the end of the final volume.
In conclusion many readers may find Clark unlikeable but they must ask themsleves what would the public reaction be to the publication of their own diaires?? Read this book, enjoy it and take it with a pinch of salt and hope that more individualistic politicians such as Clark will enter public life.
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
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 vanity can take your breath away, but his personal charm oozes out of the book. He's frank, funny, articulate and (as he keeps on telling us) deeply intelligent. He's not afraid to put on paper things that remain only in most people's subconscious. There's a lovely early entry when, installed in his first ministerial office, he wonders if urinating from his seventh floor window on the pedestrians below might be enough to get him sacked. They'd hush it up he concludes - but doesn't test his theory.
Alan Clark's political views belong to a different (before his own) era, but his insights into the political process, his proximity to the hub of Government during the Thatcher years and the pure recklessness of his entries make this a great book.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
One of the last great British politicians
Alan Clarke was one of the last genuine politicians who had the interests of the British people at heart and dare I say, also the Europeans. Read more
Published 13 months ago by A European Man
The best one
Excellent reviews are published by people far more articulate than me - so all I would like to add is that having bought this book shortly after it was published I still pick it up... Read more
Published 15 months ago by C. Richardson
Exceptional fun
Of the three volumes of diaries, this is by far the most fun. I believe it is also the only volume published in Alan's lifetime (and there has recently been some debate about... Read more
Published 22 months ago by A. Horne
Did he buy his own furniture?
If the late, great Alan Clark had never existed, someone needed to invent him. A clever, verbose, rich, well-connected Lothario whose life was peppered with famous names and... Read more
Published on 2 Nov 2008 by Bianca White
All the fascination of a car wreck
This, and the other diaries, make excellent, though disturbing, reading. There's no political thought as such here, rather the thoughts of a man who was a member of, and a junior... Read more
Published on 27 Feb 2005 by Davey
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