- Paperback: 640 pages
- Publisher: Sphere; 2nd New edition of Revised edition edition (15 Oct 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0751530824
- ISBN-13: 978-0751530827
- Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.7 x 4.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
487,739 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #12 in Books > Biography > Political > Britain > Blair, Tony
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
In 1995 John Rentoul wrote his first Tony Blair biography. Six years on he has written another that he says is neither a wholesale revision of his earlier work nor the same book with new material tacked on. Entirely appropriate to his subject, Rentoul has come up with a third way. What we get is the original book tweaked to take into account Rentoul's reassessments--such as Blair's Christianity running deeper and establishing itself earlier than was first realised--and an ongoing account of Blair's time in office. And on the whole it works very well. Rentoul is scrupulously fair and every action and event is weighed from every angle before judgement is delivered. However, while this approach may be authoritative it doesn't necessarily make for a fluent read and there are several occasions when the book grinds to a standstill under the weight of its own scholarship. For instance, at one point Rentoul spends several pages cross-examining old acquaintances to determine whether Blair had ever smoked dope, before concluding that he hadn't. Predictably, as the narrative moves past Blair's election in 1997, the book becomes less personal; partly this is because--Baby Leo and Euan's night in Leicester Square apart--Blair has pulled down the shutters on his personal life in favour of his reinvention as the embodiment of the 21st century statesman, and partly because his life, to a large extent, became his job. Rentoul takes us through New Labour's achievements and his overall verdict is a cautious thumbs up, though whenever an issue appears ambivalent he seems happy to give Blair the benefit of the doubt. His opinion that firing Peter Mandelson for a second time has left Blair untainted is one that would surprise many--the Prime Minister included. Rentoul has indicated that he still sees this book as work in progress and there is certainly enough material to justify a second book. But he would be well advised to hang fire for a good many years before he completes the trilogy. --John Crace
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
'This is contemporary politics told with a sense of drama and a buzz of expectation.' GURADIAN 'This thoughtful and provocative revision is well researched and reveals fascinating glimpses into our prime minister's personality and history.' IRISH NEWS
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First Sentence
Tony Blair's political ambition began at the age of eleven, when his father Leo's ended, on 4 July 1964. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Tony Blair's political ambition began at the age of eleven, when his father Leo's ended, on 4 July 1964. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Paperback
Highly informative, carefully put together record of Tony Blair's background and early political career.
The edition I read covers the period from Oxford University up to 1997. (Subsequently, the book was updated, so I can't comment on the latter chapters.)
The edition I read covers the period from Oxford University up to 1997. (Subsequently, the book was updated, so I can't comment on the latter chapters.)
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is one of the most important biographies of Tony Blair because it was the first that covered Blair after a term as Prime Minister. John Rentoul takes us through Blair's chilhood, his arrival in the Labour Party and his determination as he climbed the ranks to move the party into the centre ground. The book is very detailed and highlights many of Blair's strengths and weaknesses as a politician. The chapters on the 1997-2001 period reveal much of Blair's character and the huge contradictions within it. He demonstrated flamboyance and bravado in Northern Ireland and Kosovo and ruthlessness in dealing with dissenting ministers, yet seemed to live in fear of the whims of the press gallery. Rentoul asks some key questions on the end about whether Blair's aims on public services are achievable, what his beliefs are and what his legacy will be. From the standpoint of 2005 the author will surely be able to update this book to answer those questions.
6 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
"Tony Blair Prime Minister" is a good preliminary biography of Britain's 51st Premier. I didn't realise that Blair first stood for Parliament in Disraeli's old seat of Beaconsfield which turned out to be too much of a challenge in this Tory heartland.
Written in an enjoyable style, (although not accademic) we can see many of the successes and failures of Mr Blair's first four years. We see the death of a Princess, Kosovo, Education, Peter Mandelson resigning, fuel crisis, why the Lib/Lab pact came to nothing, devolution, Peter Mandelson's second resgnation and the Millenium Dome issue. What a busy four years it was. As always these interim accounts are instantly out of date, which is the same problem with all the sudden spate of books on Gordon Brown, Robin Cook, John Prescott, and of course Peter Mandleson, need I go on?
Rentoul's chapter on Northern Ireland is an interesting account of one of his most troublesome areas of policy as are chapters on his relations with his neighbour at 11 Downing Street and the Formula 1 scandal. I reccommend this book, as it is very easy to read and enjoy.
For more on Blair I reccommend "Tony Blair New Britain", "New Labour, New Language" and of course Anthony Giddens' "The Third Way" and "The Third Way and its Critics".
I will certainly buy the re-issue when he steps down as PM. Blair is a very interesting politician and certainly very complex, I feel he's deeper than his shallow image suggests. I'm sure chapters on the Euro, Gulf War II, the Golden Jubilee and the death of the Queen Mother would prove key reading.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The epitome of obsequious sycophancy
If you are a fan of Tony Blair you'll enjoy this book.
If you are looking for independent commentary don't waste your money. Read more
If you are looking for independent commentary don't waste your money. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Astazou
Authoritative but lacking precision at times
Rentoul's biography is certainly an accomplishment given the sheer lack of quality coverage of the Blair years. Read more
Published on 8 April 2001
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