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Amazon.co.uk Review
Few political memoirs have caused quite the stir that Mo Mowlam's Momentum has, and it's not hard to see why. When most accounts of Cabinet ministers' time in office are so desperately anodyne (Margaret Thatcher's Cabinet were famously close-mouthed and unrevealing in their autobiographies--and all quickly sank without trace), Mowlam's book is a work of remarkable passion and frankness. And, more to the point, Mowlam pulls no punches about her turbulent time in Tony Blair's government. It's all here: the clashes, the whispering campaigns, and, yes, the commitment and enthusiasm that have won Mowlam so many admirers.
It's a rare British politician who is as popular with the British public as Mo Mowlam. As Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in the first Labour parliament under Tony Blair, she advanced the peace process towards the Good Friday Agreement unlike few of her predecessors--until she was unceremoniously shifted to a low-key role in the Cabinet office, amid accusations (from Unionists and fellow ministers) that she'd become "too close" to Sinn Fein (Mowlam's blistering passages on these events make for riveting reading).
Her personal demeanour always seemed the antithesis of the duplicity of most politicians (of both the Left and Right) and won her a reputation for unflinching honesty--a quality all too evident here (although it has to be said that many politicians--and not just the enemies identified in this book--have accused her of sour grapes, and have pointed out that the "Saint Mo" image is not the whole truth). But as Momentum makes clear, Mowlam is too clear-sighted a politician to see herself as a saint (her sense of the ridiculous would quickly torpedo such an idea), and while her attacks here on ex-colleagues whom she considered undermined her career are anger filled, they still retain a dispassionate quality that makes for more than simple score-settling. This is a book that may make uncomfortable reading for the government; for the rest of us, it's a wonderfully candid and revealing memoir. --Barry Forshaw --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
‘The record of a momentous journey ... and the life and thoughts of a remarkable woman’ (Guardian )
'Refreshingly direct' (The Sunday Times )
‘A highly accessible book likely to appeal to those more interested in the broad sweep of history than the detail of unionist, nationalist or republican theology’ (Irish Times )
‘Overwhelmingly this book is an intelligent, thoroughly readable account and analysis of the peace process in Northern Ireland’ (Guardian )
'Mo Mowlam clearly loved her two-and-a-half years as secretary of state for Northern Ireland ... in this lucidly written work she evokes the experience vividly and vibrantly. Her text offers easily the best account of a turbulent decade in the history of the province.' (The Sunday Times )
‘Mo remains a glorious, one-off, life-enhancing phenomenon’ (Yorkshire Post )
'Full of warmth and wit' (Daily Express )
'an accessible and intelligent behind-the-scenes look at the shaping of the Northern Ireland peace process' (Irish Post ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
'Refreshingly direct' (The Sunday Times )
‘A highly accessible book likely to appeal to those more interested in the broad sweep of history than the detail of unionist, nationalist or republican theology’ (Irish Times )
‘Overwhelmingly this book is an intelligent, thoroughly readable account and analysis of the peace process in Northern Ireland’ (Guardian )
'Mo Mowlam clearly loved her two-and-a-half years as secretary of state for Northern Ireland ... in this lucidly written work she evokes the experience vividly and vibrantly. Her text offers easily the best account of a turbulent decade in the history of the province.' (The Sunday Times )
‘Mo remains a glorious, one-off, life-enhancing phenomenon’ (Yorkshire Post )
'Full of warmth and wit' (Daily Express )
'an accessible and intelligent behind-the-scenes look at the shaping of the Northern Ireland peace process' (Irish Post ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read this in hardback as soon as it was published and I just started looking at the book again after hearing the sad news that Mo Mowlam has died aged just 55. It is a warm insight into life as a government minister, both the good and bad. Mowlam describes the entire history of the historic Good Friday agreement in Northern Ireland with many of the inside stories around the peace process and she talks of her own government downfall at length. It's a fascinating book for anyone interested in Northern Ireland or the internal machinations of government written by a direct and no-nonsense politician who will be missed.
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If I'm honest, I had expected (hoped for) a better book. This is not a book in Mo's own image and worse for it. Sure, there is some candour and some humour, but not enough of either. Having said that, it still isn't a book I'd have missed. As a political biography, it lacks bite and substance, but as a biography of a hugely interesting celebrity, it's better than most. If you're a fan of Mo, buy it. If you're looking for deep political insight, don't bother. Shame.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book isn't as easy to read as I thought it would be, but then the situation in Ireland isn't an easy one to get your head around either. Mo writes about her experiences but also explains why things are important to Nationalists and Unionists, so you feel as if you are in her shoes. There is an injection of her humour periodically, which keeps the book lighter than others I've read on the subject, and the photos help too.
I have a lot of respect for Mo Mowlam, having seen her talk on a couple of occasions, so I am thoroughly enjoying reading this, as it feels like I'm getting to spend some time with her.
I have a lot of respect for Mo Mowlam, having seen her talk on a couple of occasions, so I am thoroughly enjoying reading this, as it feels like I'm getting to spend some time with her.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great read
After watching the film of mo had to get the book.A fantastic read.She will be sorly missed.
Published 22 months ago by William Drysdale
Mo Mowlam
Unusually, I bought the book after seeing the docudrama yet it has not spoiled the enjoyment of the book.
Published on 6 April 2010 by W. G. Morrison
Mo for Mayor
I've just finished reading this and Blair and Brown's petty bickering realy struck me. Mo was an eccentric and perhaps controversial Cabinet Minister and too popular for Blair to... Read more
Published on 7 May 2002
Poor old Mo
I've just spent the night reading this book and oh dear, oh dear! How sad that all that conviction politics ends only with a lucrative book deal and the usual backbiting. Read more
Published on 3 May 2002
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