The Ashdown Diaries: 1988-1997 v. 1 [Paperback]

It is a well written and easy book to read.

The political stuff is interesting but the fascinating stuff is the non political stuff. The enteries on Bosnia and the siege of Sarajevo was really gripping stuff. The sections on Paddy Ashdown's private life really left you quite depressed amount what is done in the name of journalism.

There are some really funny enteries in the book, his first trip to Buckingham Palace left me laughing out loud.

The main story throughout the book is the relationship he has with Blair. At times I got slightly confused, I must admit I am not to hot on the different types of PR etc! But it really was an interesting insight into the way modern British politics works.

This book certainly humanises some characters in the public eye. With everything that was going on...you certainly wonder how Ashdown kept sane.

Overall this is a great book that I have really enjoyed reading, and look forward to the second volume.

These political events are brought to life by Ashdown who was outside of the main two parties and so views events from a slightly detached position, unlike the Diaries of Alan Clark or the memoirs of cabinet ministers who were closer to these internal wranglings.

Ashdown's writing style is clear and effective. His meetings with Blair and Major give great insights into the private personalities of these prime ministers, whilst his trips to Buckingham Palace provide a balance of information and indiscretion. Journeys to Bosnia describe complicated wars with knowledge and passion.

Foreign policy, domestic policy and party politics are all explained here, and I would doubt that a more educational yet accessible and entertaining account of the period 1988-1997 and its players could be found elsewhere.

The book falls into two distinct halves: the Westminster diaries and the Balkan diaries. While the latter are engagingly written, involving the reader by their pace and descriptive flair, the Westminster recollections are memorable only for their insights into the political skills of Tony Blair and his closest circle.

The reader gains the strong impression that Paddy is at his happiest when he is courting danger, dodging mortar fire, and interviewing villainous warlords. The Bosnian adventures are reminiscent of John Simpson's exploits in 'A Mad World, My Masters'. One senses a wistful nostalgia for the politician's SBS days.

Back on the Westminster scene, however, Paddy seems to metamorphose into a rather grumpy party leader who feels uncomfortable in his role, and who appears to dislike almost every aspect of the House of Commons, its procedures, and its inmates. It's clear that he's exhausted and frustrated, and can't wait to get out of the job.

The most striking feature of these diaries is their almost total lack of humour. Fans of Clark and Brandreth will not find much to entertain them. Also, readers who have only a passing interest in Proportional Representation may get bogged down in the interminable discourses on this subject.

The impression one is left with is that Paddy should have stayed in the Army or Diplomatic Service, in both of which he would undoubtedly have excelled. These are the diaries of an admirable and worthy man whose rather rigid and upright views made it difficult for him to fit into the uneasy compromises of modern political life.

As an insight into the mind of the embryo Prime Minister Blair, however, the diaries are quite fascinating. But somehow I don't think that was Paddy's intention.