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Amazon.co.uk Review
30 Days: A Month a the Heart of Blair's War is a closely observed fly-on-the-wall record of political and domestic life at 10 Downing Street, and of Tony Blair's leadership throughout the war against Iraq--told by former Times editor Peter Stothard.
On the whole Blair comes across as a man of strength, conviction and genuine integrity; he won't be disappointed with this book, but then neither will the reader. The events themselves naturally lend drama and pace but Stothard's narrative style--intimate, immediate and compelling--also manages to reveal something about the personality of the major players. The book is not just a study of the character of Tony Blair but also a fascinating set of personal observations about Alistair Campbell, John Prescott, Clare Short, Jack Short, Robin Cook, Sally Morgan, the American contingent--including Bush, Powell, Condeleeza Rice--as well as the Downing Street clock-winder and tea-lady.
Those who have been reading the literature on the war such as The Guardian's recent The War We Could Not Stop and Dilip Hiro's excellent Iraq: A View From the Inside will find this an excellent complementary read. Those who like voyeuristic looks at powerful people, the political process through times of crisis or the Labour Party today should be delighted with it. --Larry Brown
Review
During 30 days in March and April 2003, former Times editor Sir Peter Stothard travelled everywhere with Tony Blair. The original idea had been to portray the day-to-day life of a Prime Minister who was about to celebrate his 50th birthday. The fact that war against Iraq happened to come along during those 30 days provided Stothard with a journalistic scoop, but it was an enormous irritation for Blair. The last thing he wanted at a time of personal and international crisis was a reporter hovering over his shoulder. But to his credit he didn't duck out of the commitment - he allowed Stothard to remain. The book exposes many cherished beliefs as myth, or at least as dubious hype. The 'special relationship' between Blair and Bush was not always as amiable as both sides were keen to portray. Indeed, Blair was taken aback when the Americans launched the war without telling him it was about to happen. And the much-demonised Alastair Campbell, portrayed in the popular press as a dictator at Number 10, emerges as a plain-talking but honest aide. Campbell never shrinks from telling Blair the unpleasant truth even if it is not what his boss wants to hear. Campbell is also shown to have a sense of humour. When Blair asked for ideas about how to open his televised address to the British people, Campbell suggested, 'How about "My fellow Americans..."'. Blair was not amused. Stothard's book takes the form of a diary, leading readers through days of intrigue and inexorable tension. We see Blair's reaction after being slow-handclapped by a TV audience, and his annoyance at continued public hostility to his stance on Iraq. When asked about his conscience as British soldiers were dying, he declared, 'I will answer to my Maker.' But he left no doubt whose side he believed God was on. From Number 10 to the Azores and Camp David, readers are made privy to every top-level action and meeting. A remarkable encapsulation of history, and brilliantly illustrated by Nick Danziger, whose photographs say much about the pressures on a Prime Minister at war. (Kirkus UK)
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