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Review
'A gloriously indiscreet political memoir...The merit of Powell's memoir is precisely that it lacks the intrusive ego of the big politician'
--The Sunday Times, Culture, Dominic Lawson
The reader of this elegant little work will learn more about the workings of the new Labour court than he will from many weightier volumes, including perhaps that of the Prince himself, Tony Blair. --The Review
`a thoroughly revealing insiders account' --The Oldie
--The Sunday Times, Culture, Dominic Lawson
The reader of this elegant little work will learn more about the workings of the new Labour court than he will from many weightier volumes, including perhaps that of the Prince himself, Tony Blair. --The Review
`a thoroughly revealing insiders account' --The Oldie
Review
""It is not just another memoir of the period, it is about the best . . . A fascinating book." --"Guardian
--This text refers to the
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a good read, and for those interested in the Blair years, one of the best books from the pro-Blair camp. Powell was the ultimate insider, always at Blair's side. He is searing in his judgement on Gordon Brown, and backs this up with chapter and verse on exactly how Brown was so toxic. I read this soon after reading DC Confidental, Sir Christopher Meyer's book, and it covers much of the same ground (9/11, Iraq etc.). Both are worth reading.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This was an interesting read that gave a really good insight into the Blair government. Gossipy to an extent, but also very informative, in an easy to read style.
The battles between Blair and Brown are laid bare, despite the years of denials of any rift. Jonathan was Blair's Chief of Staff and so it's perhaps no surprise that he makes many bitchy comments about Gordon Brown and his entourage. There's no doubt a lot of truth and insight in what he says, but at times it gets a bit tiresome. However it's perhaps refreshing that he is so candid in his views! I'll have to read a book now from someone in Gordon's camp to try to balance things out.
The Machiavelli aspect of the book made it a bit different to normal books by politicians (he was appointed though, rather than elected, and he has a diplomatic background). It was more than just a novelty, but the links were at times a little tenuous in places. I haven't read either of the two particular Machiavelli books that he mentions, which limits the extent to which I can comment on his interpretation on them or how valid they are to the modern examples he gives. However having said that, it seemed to me that they were on the whole valid and insightful. However he does seem to repeat many of the same points at several times in different parts of the book.
I certainly enjoyed this book and felt it was well worth the cost price. I'd recommend it, particularly for people interested in recent British political history.
The battles between Blair and Brown are laid bare, despite the years of denials of any rift. Jonathan was Blair's Chief of Staff and so it's perhaps no surprise that he makes many bitchy comments about Gordon Brown and his entourage. There's no doubt a lot of truth and insight in what he says, but at times it gets a bit tiresome. However it's perhaps refreshing that he is so candid in his views! I'll have to read a book now from someone in Gordon's camp to try to balance things out.
The Machiavelli aspect of the book made it a bit different to normal books by politicians (he was appointed though, rather than elected, and he has a diplomatic background). It was more than just a novelty, but the links were at times a little tenuous in places. I haven't read either of the two particular Machiavelli books that he mentions, which limits the extent to which I can comment on his interpretation on them or how valid they are to the modern examples he gives. However having said that, it seemed to me that they were on the whole valid and insightful. However he does seem to repeat many of the same points at several times in different parts of the book.
I certainly enjoyed this book and felt it was well worth the cost price. I'd recommend it, particularly for people interested in recent British political history.
44 of 53 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Having read the first couple of chapters, I'm finding this book enjoyable and illuminating. Jonathan Powell applies his experiences, working in the upper echelons of the civil service and then as chief of staff to Tony Blair for ten years, to illustrate the principles set out by Niccolo Machiavelli in the classics 'The Prince' and the Discourses which are still widely read by students of politics today. He makes it clear in the preface that "[This book] is confined to looking at the art of government and at the mechanics of power, not why a leader might want to get hold of power or what they would want to do with it once they get hold of it.. it is important that idealistic and optimistic people who come to office understand the reality of how power can be wielded effectively so they can make the country a better place". But I think it's a worthwhile read for *anyone* who wants to be in a better position to participate in our democracy, since it will allow them to understand better the different factors that influence our political leaders in their decisionmaking. And it has funny bits too - Powell can be quite witty.
The chapters are as follows:
Introduction: In Defence of Machiavelli
1. 'Of New Princedoms Which a Prince Acquires With His Own Arms and by Merit': Coming to Power
2. 'The Prince': Leadership
3. Cabinet, the Civil Service and Making Things Happen
4. The Court
5. The Prime Minister and the Chancellor
6. 'Whether it is better to be loved or feared': Politics and Parliament
7. The Importance of Being Strategic
8. Spin Doctors and Media Moguls
9. Scandals, Inquiries and the Police
10. Europe
11. War and Peace
12. Hubris and Leaving Office
The chapters are as follows:
Introduction: In Defence of Machiavelli
1. 'Of New Princedoms Which a Prince Acquires With His Own Arms and by Merit': Coming to Power
2. 'The Prince': Leadership
3. Cabinet, the Civil Service and Making Things Happen
4. The Court
5. The Prime Minister and the Chancellor
6. 'Whether it is better to be loved or feared': Politics and Parliament
7. The Importance of Being Strategic
8. Spin Doctors and Media Moguls
9. Scandals, Inquiries and the Police
10. Europe
11. War and Peace
12. Hubris and Leaving Office
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
AUDIO CD Review: Well narrated but probably better as a book
One key difference between listening to a book and reading a book is that you can skim-read a book, whereas skim-listening is a more tricky art. Read more
Published 16 days ago by Magic Lemur
Good account of Blair years - but the Machiavelli stuff interferes
Really good account - albeit partial - he's a Tony loyalist to the death - of the Blair years, but though I'm a fan of Machiavelli and studied him at University, and absolutely... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Martin Pierce
A unique insight
Powell begins his book by stating that it isn't a memoir of his time in the Blair government, but a guide on how to govern which also draws lessons from Machiavelli. Read more
Published 3 months ago by T_RRed
Better spend your time reading the old Machiavelli
The Prince is an excellent book written by a man who should be remembered as wise rather than devious. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Roland Davis
High Intelligence
Jonathan Powell is extremely intelligent as this book well confirms. Unfortunately this is all too clever by halves. A simple, straightforward treatment would have served better.
Published 8 months ago by T. Appleton
Excellent
I read this book straight after reading Tony Blair's book. It is well writen, engaging and offers an excellent study on leadership, with real examples. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Dr. J. S. Grewal
Disappointing and Selective
Having read Great Hatred Little Room I looked forward to reading this book. I was greatly disappointed. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Bruce Finch
Good,but not the whole truth.
Powell Jonathan, The New Machiavelli: How to wield power in the modern world (London, The Bodley Head, 2010)
This is an interesting book, built around Machiavelli;... Read more
This is an interesting book, built around Machiavelli;... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Mr. John Hunter
excellent
it is an excellent book. the prose might not be as tidy and sharp as that of a professional journalist - but it should not be anyway like that. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Nicu
Buy Rawnsley's 'The End of the Party' instead
In the preface to the book Powell claims its purpose is to provide a guide to future ministers / advisors on how to govern and uses the device of comparing modern day government... Read more
Published 16 months ago by T. J. Noys
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