Stanley Baldwin (1867–1947) is one of the most significant modern British politicians, but also one of the most controversial and puzzling. As Conservative leader and three times prime minister, Baldwin presided over the beginning of his party's long twentieth-century dominance. He did so in new and difficult conditions: the onset of modern democratic politics, the rise of Labour, chronic economic depression, the General Strike, persistent newspaper attacks, imperial discontent, the Abdication, and the threats from Mussolini and Hitler. This book provides an understanding of Baldwin's career, including a serious analysis of the moral and intellectual influences of his early life. Its main concerns are the investigation of a Conservative mind, and its communication with the various audiences that constituted the political nation. This is not a conventional biography, but rather an examination of the nature of political leadership, Conservative politics and 'national values'.
| ||||||||||||||||||
 Trade In this Item for up to £3.55
Trade in Stanley Baldwin: Conservative Leadership and National Values (British Lives) for an Amazon.co.uk gift card of up to £3.55, which you can then spend on millions of items across the site. Trade-in values may vary (terms apply). Learn more
|
Book Description
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
Review
'Williamson's is the best book on Baldwin yet … He deserves all possible credit for the diligence of his research, the breadth of his vision and the rigour of his analysis.' Times Literary Supplement
'… a masterpiece of craftsmanship, insight and persuasion … the best book on Baldwin … Williamson speaks with unrivalled authority … of general importance about politics in modern societies.' The Spectator
'Williamson argues his case convincingly, with a superb mastery of the primary sources … His … study puts the three-times premier back at centre-stage, as the most important politician in interwar Britain.' History Today
'Baldwin is the best book yet written about its subject.' The Times
'… outstanding …' Kenneth O Morgan, The Independent
'… ambitious … Williamson fulfils his intention to demonstrate a more productive method of studying a politician's career than is usually supplied by the standard life.' London Review of Books
'… a valuable addition to the literature on pre-1945 politics.' Anthony Howard, New Statesman
'Philip Williamson['s] … meticulously researched and thoughtful work … contains many insights and fascinating revelations.' Ben Pimlott, The Guardian
'… a masterpiece of craftsmanship, insight and persuasion … the best book on Baldwin … Williamson speaks with unrivalled authority … of general importance about politics in modern societies.' The Spectator
'Williamson argues his case convincingly, with a superb mastery of the primary sources … His … study puts the three-times premier back at centre-stage, as the most important politician in interwar Britain.' History Today
'Baldwin is the best book yet written about its subject.' The Times
'… outstanding …' Kenneth O Morgan, The Independent
'… ambitious … Williamson fulfils his intention to demonstrate a more productive method of studying a politician's career than is usually supplied by the standard life.' London Review of Books
'… a valuable addition to the literature on pre-1945 politics.' Anthony Howard, New Statesman
'Philip Williamson['s] … meticulously researched and thoughtful work … contains many insights and fascinating revelations.' Ben Pimlott, The Guardian
Book Description
This study of a commanding Conservative politician is a major contribution to understanding Conservative ideology, 'Englishness' and the nature of British political leadership. It reinterprets the career of Stanley Baldwin, three times prime minister during the difficult 1920s and 1930s, and shows how his extraordinary dominance was based upon manipulation of widely held 'national values'.
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By W. James
Format:Hardcover
Baldwin is one of Britain's least 'fashionable' twentieth century Prime Ministers, yet as Philip Williamson's book brilliantly demonstrates, he was one of the most innovative and effective political operators of the century. He can be credited not only with developing an entirely new way of communicating with the the electorate, but with reconstructing the popular base of the Conservative Party. Williamson's intelligent and measured approach draws out the different strands of Baldwin's political art and presents the reader with a vital and informative insight into this now sadly overlooked figure of British history.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By Mr. Gtj Charmley
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover
This study of Baldwin is different in that it takes a thematic look at this most enigmatic of politicans. If you want to know how this 'man if the utmost insignificance' (Lord Curzon's words on learning that Baldwin, not he, was to be Conservative leader) came to bestride inter-war politics like a collosus, or how Baldwin created his own media style (the first P.M to use the broadcast media effectively) ignore the price and buy this book!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Petrean
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'm currently preparing a dissertation on Tory politics in the interwar years, and this book provides a very good overview of the dominant politician of that period, Stanley Baldwin. Rather than give a generic chronology of the events of his premierships, this book analyses his political 'style' and principles, in order to explain his extraordinary political success 1922-37.
This it does very well, and I believe this book would be a very interesting read to anyone with an interest in the Tory Party, or early 20th Century politics.
This it does very well, and I believe this book would be a very interesting read to anyone with an interest in the Tory Party, or early 20th Century politics.
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Books > Biography > Historical > 1901 Onwards
- Books > Biography > Historical > Britain > 1901 Onwards
- Books > Biography > Historical > Britain > Military
- Books > Biography > Historical > Countries & Regions > Europe
- Books > Biography > Political > Britain > Conservatism
- Books > Biography > Political > Britain > Prime Ministers
- Books > History > Britain & Ireland > Ireland
- Books > History > Europe
- Books > History > Political History > Democracy
- Books > History > World History
- Books > Society, Politics & Philosophy > Government & Politics > Political Science & Ideology > Conservatism
- Books > Society, Politics & Philosophy > Government & Politics > Political Science & Ideology > Political Science
- Books > Society, Politics & Philosophy > Government & Politics > Political Structure & Processes
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
