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Margaret Thatcher

The Prime Ministers Series
Brief Description
A compelling account of a compulsory subject ... A masterpiece of compression and readability - Daniel Finkelstein A deft, clear-eyed summary of Thatcher's life - Rory Stewart Iain Dale introduces Margaret Thatcher to a new generation and intelligently explodes some of the myths about her -... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A compelling account of a compulsory subject ... A masterpiece of compression and readability - Daniel Finkelstein

A deft, clear-eyed summary of Thatcher's life - Rory Stewart

Iain Dale introduces Margaret Thatcher to a new generation and intelligently explodes some of the myths about her - Simon Heffer

Margaret Thatcher was a woman of tremendous paradoxes: a conviction politician who was also a pragmatist; someone who delighted in her tough reputation, yet could also be emotional, and even tearful, when confronted by personal or national tragedy. Her reputation as a cabinet leader was one of being quasi-dictatorial, yet she left her ministers to get on with their jobs - far more than any of her successors ever have. She was known as a classical laissez faire liberal, yet she started out as a social conservative, and wasn't averse to state intervention when she felt it was warranted.

Iain Dale's sparkling short biography of Margaret Thatcher brings her to life in all her paradoxes and contradictions, and shows how her election in 1979 really was a turning point in British history. Dubbed the 'Iron Lady' by the Soviets, she was one of the few recent prime ministers to burnish an international reputation, fighting the Falklands war, playing a leading role in defeating Communism and winning the Cold War, and through her battles with the European Economic Community. Domestically, she ushered in a period of forty years of consensus on the limited role of the state, an industrial relations settlement, and the dominance of the private sector in the economy - a settlement that is only now being seriously questioned.

A little over a decade after her death, Margaret Thatcher introduces her to new generations of readers who may not remember her premiership, but who are living with its consequences.

Series: The Prime Ministers

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  • Margaret Thatcher
    Iain Dale introduces Margaret Thatcher to a new generation and intelligently explodes some of the myths about her Simon Heffer Margaret Thatcher was a woman of tremendous paradoxes: a conviction politician who was also a pragmatist; someone who delighted in her tough reputation, yet could also be emotional, and even tearful, when confronted by personal or national tragedy. Her reputation...
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  • Margaret Thatcher
    Pre-order
    Margaret Thatcher
    A compelling account of a compulsory subject ... A masterpiece of compression and readability - Daniel Finkelstein A deft, clear-eyed summary of Thatcher's life - Rory Stewart Iain Dale introduces Margaret Thatcher to a new generation and intelligently explodes some of the myths about her - Simon Heffer Margaret Thatcher was a woman of tremendous paradoxes: a conviction politician who...
    Paperback
    $2799
    Pre-order
    Out 5 Jan 2027
  • Tony Blair
    'One of the shrewdest political commentators we have' Andrew Marr 'Tony Blair was a giant amongst prime ministers and leaders of the Labour party: Steve Richards is a giant amongst political commentators. This riveting and persuasive book describes what happens when they meet head on' Anthony Seldon Was Tony Blair a visionary, impatiently looking ahead, or a leader trapped by...
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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781800753600

Publisher: Swift Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 10 September 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Swift Press

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 0g

Pages: 176

About the Author

Iain Dale is an accomplished broadcaster, presenting his own daily radio show on LBC, and several podcasts, including 'Where Politics Meets History' and 'Iain Dale All Talk'. He is a regular on Question Time, Newsnight, Good Morning Britain, Politics Live and a columnist for the Daily Telegraph. He is the author/editor of more than 50 books, most recently The Presidents, The Prime Ministers, Kings & Queens and The Dictators. He lives in Tunbridge Wells.

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  • Margaret Thatcher
    Iain Dale introduces Margaret Thatcher to a new generation and intelligently explodes some of the myths about her Simon Heffer Margaret Thatcher was a woman of tremendous paradoxes: a conviction politician who was also a pragmatist; someone who delighted in her tough reputation, yet could also be emotional, and even tearful, when confronted by personal or national tragedy. Her reputation...
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