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Review
Leaves the reader in no doubt about the brilliance with which Campbell shepherded Labour to victory. That is not because he says so himself: he clearly has a high regard for his own capabilities, but has the sense to let his achievements speak for themselves.
-- New Statesman
There are plenty of nuggets here that are fascinating, some passages that make you wince and others that are gripping. It has historical value --Observer
Campbell is a compelling diarist . . . provides the fullest insider account so far of new Labour's ascent to power --The Times
Campbell's world is the brutal, angry, hard-driven, joky, football-crazed and intensely male world of tabloid journalism. He is a fluent and industrious reporter, with amazing stamina: it is quite a feat, at the end of days dealing with the press on Blair's behalf that he managed to get this account down --Telegraph
Hugely gripping . . . all of human life is here. It makes The Thick of It look tame. And sane --Sunday Times
The abundance of extra detail throws up some richly comic moments . . . Campbell's writing has much of the brutal honestly of [Alan] Clark's
--Sunday Telegraph
-- New Statesman
There are plenty of nuggets here that are fascinating, some passages that make you wince and others that are gripping. It has historical value --Observer
Campbell is a compelling diarist . . . provides the fullest insider account so far of new Labour's ascent to power --The Times
Campbell's world is the brutal, angry, hard-driven, joky, football-crazed and intensely male world of tabloid journalism. He is a fluent and industrious reporter, with amazing stamina: it is quite a feat, at the end of days dealing with the press on Blair's behalf that he managed to get this account down --Telegraph
Hugely gripping . . . all of human life is here. It makes The Thick of It look tame. And sane --Sunday Times
The abundance of extra detail throws up some richly comic moments . . . Campbell's writing has much of the brutal honestly of [Alan] Clark's
--Sunday Telegraph
Book Description
The Blair Years was a taster. Prelude to Power reveals the diairies uncut. And it is just the beginning.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a great read - fascinating, enjoyable and informative in many ways. The book serves as an account of the lead-up to one of the most significant elections in British post-war history and as a primer on how to run a highly effective campaign. Alastair Campbell lays bare the competing tugs and the inevitable tensions that arise in the midst of any political campaign and shows how a now-legendary communications operation delivered a landslide win for a Labour government. I'd recommend this book to anyone with an interest in modern politics and the science and the art of campaign communications. Personal political persuasion aside, anybody with a direct or indirect professional involvement with campaigning or communications in the public or the private sector will learn a great deal from this book. In my view it is as compelling an account of campaigning as Pennebaker's documentary, The War Room, the definitive record of Clinton's road to the White House, masterminded by Carville and Stephanopolous.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Alastair Campbell is undoubtably one of the most controversial figures of the 'Blair years'. Master of the dark arts of spin doctoring and formidable character he can justifyingly claim to have transformed the Labour party from a shambles to an election winning machine. This first volume of his diaries left me with mixed feelings, although most of them positive.
First, they are incredibly detailed with an entry for every single day. Great for the historian but it can be a little tedious for the reader. There is a key at the front of the book setting out who is who but even with this it is sometimes difficult to follow. Secondly the diaries are a fascinating picture of the leading personalities in the Labour party between 1994 and 1997. Gordon Brown is portrayed as difficult, sullen and morose, full of resentment that Tony Blair became leader. The book is full of rows between the main protaganists. Peter Mandelson, John Prescott and Robin Cook are constantly squabbling and none of them come out well from the book. However Campbell's real venom is aimed at Clare Short who is described as being without redeeming qualities, incoherent and self-centred. I felt that his more crude attacks on her went over the top and actually became rather bullying and tasteless. It is, however, fascinating to read about the wrangling and arguments at the head of 'new Labout' - a far cry from the efficient machine usually portrayed in the media. Brown vs Mandelson is a highlight. To be fair Campbell does also comment on individual strengths, for example he praises Gordon Brown as a man of ability.
Campbell himself emerges to some extent in the diaries. His passion to change the Labour Party, his devotion to Tony Blair. the strains on his family life, rows with his wife, his health problems and some references to his past depression. He comes across as a man who was really driven by his determination but who did not suffer fools gladly.
If you are interested in politics this is a good read, if somewhat hard going in patches. I have given it four stars.
First, they are incredibly detailed with an entry for every single day. Great for the historian but it can be a little tedious for the reader. There is a key at the front of the book setting out who is who but even with this it is sometimes difficult to follow. Secondly the diaries are a fascinating picture of the leading personalities in the Labour party between 1994 and 1997. Gordon Brown is portrayed as difficult, sullen and morose, full of resentment that Tony Blair became leader. The book is full of rows between the main protaganists. Peter Mandelson, John Prescott and Robin Cook are constantly squabbling and none of them come out well from the book. However Campbell's real venom is aimed at Clare Short who is described as being without redeeming qualities, incoherent and self-centred. I felt that his more crude attacks on her went over the top and actually became rather bullying and tasteless. It is, however, fascinating to read about the wrangling and arguments at the head of 'new Labout' - a far cry from the efficient machine usually portrayed in the media. Brown vs Mandelson is a highlight. To be fair Campbell does also comment on individual strengths, for example he praises Gordon Brown as a man of ability.
Campbell himself emerges to some extent in the diaries. His passion to change the Labour Party, his devotion to Tony Blair. the strains on his family life, rows with his wife, his health problems and some references to his past depression. He comes across as a man who was really driven by his determination but who did not suffer fools gladly.
If you are interested in politics this is a good read, if somewhat hard going in patches. I have given it four stars.
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Look I pretty much despise this man and what he stands for and the impact he has had on politics. But if I only read books from people I admire then that's a very small shortlist.
So I expected to be enthralled, infuriated, my blood would boil, passions would rise..... and you know what? This is seriously dull. I mean really really really dull. I took this, Rawnsley's and Mandelson's book on holiday with me (yes I'm that sad) and this was jaw droppingly sooze inducing. Rawnsleys books is terrific, Mandelsons's is self serving tabloid trash but eminently readable. Try them first. If you really get stuck read this - especially if you have insomnia and need an extremely effective cure.............
So I expected to be enthralled, infuriated, my blood would boil, passions would rise..... and you know what? This is seriously dull. I mean really really really dull. I took this, Rawnsley's and Mandelson's book on holiday with me (yes I'm that sad) and this was jaw droppingly sooze inducing. Rawnsleys books is terrific, Mandelsons's is self serving tabloid trash but eminently readable. Try them first. If you really get stuck read this - especially if you have insomnia and need an extremely effective cure.............
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Of Limited Appeal
My first thought on reading through several lengthy entries was "Where did he get the time?" Latterly, I thought "Where did he get the inclination? Read more
Published 8 months ago by J. Mcgregor
An excellent political read
A day by day account in the lives of the movers and shakers of the labour party as they build New Labour. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Sandi
For God's Sake Shut Up!
This is one of the most tedious boring books, let alone diaries, I have ever read. I imagine that it might be interesting to the hard-core (not meant to be a reference to... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Ian Millard
Tedious Bickering
I have an interest in political diaries and also an attachment to Labour, even New Labour. Nevertheless, I found this book tedious and disappointing. Read more
Published 21 months ago by O'Brien Book Reader
Tedious, indecipherable, badly edited.
The book has an oppressive effect. Daily accounts of arguing and character assassination is made all the more unpleasant by Campbell's use of initials to refer to the antagonists. Read more
Published 22 months ago by A. Stevenson
If you work to win - you can win.
As with all Alastair's books this is easy to read. It is at times humorous,it challenges the theory that Governments lose elections rather than well organised and determined... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Glynis Frew
a very uninteresting diarist
This is the 2nd book by alastair campbell that i have attempted to read, both
failed to hold my attention.
failed to hold my attention.
Published 23 months ago by cg
Excellent understanding of how it all began
Regardless of what people think of Campbell he does say it as he sees it. The diary tells it as he saw it and how it is remembered. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Peter G Warner
the most sought after diaries ever
alistair campbells diaries are a great read for those who like the political scene and for some who don't i enjoyed the blair years and thought this one was also interesting well... Read more
Published 23 months ago by P. M. Baker
Not to be believed at any cost.
I get the feeling cambell will only tell his and blairs side of the story, these two have never cared about anyone but themselfs. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Caroline Ovens
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