The Rivals: The Intimate Story of a Political Marriage - Rilegato

Naughtie, James

Rilegato

ISBN 10: 1841154733 ISBN 13: 9781841154732

Casa editrice: Fourth Estate, 2001

Riassunto

A penetrating insider’s view of the most important relationship in modern politics, the one on which the recent reinvention of Britain is founded: Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. By the celebrated Radio 4 Today Programme presenter James Naughtie

No Prime Minister and Chancellor this century have been bound so closely together, each depending on the other’s strengths to repair weaknesses that might otherwise be politically fatal; yet theirs is a bond that crackles with suspicion and misunderstanding, lovers’ tiffs that send tremors through the government . The story of the current era can only properly be told through the prism of this strange union, and it has never been told before. James Naughtie is a unique insider. A hugely respected political commentator, he has equal access to both men, to their key courtiers, to the party malcontents and everyone who has ever sat in Cabinet with them. Not since Alan Clark’s Diaries has there been such a vivid, human portrait of the agonies and ecstasies of power in action. Even the supporting players are wildly dramatic: the saturnine plotting of Peter Mandelson, the muscled protection of Alistair Campbell, the Scots traditionalists facing down the Number 10 policy wonks. But the real drama is compressed into the central relationship. Here are Othello and Iago, Caesar and Brutus. This is a classic power play of our time, brilliantly, vivdly and intimately staged by James Naughtie.

Su questo libro

L'autore:

James Naughtie presents the Today programme on BBC Radio 4 and is former chief political correspondent of the Guardian and, before that, the Scotsman. He presents Bookclub on Radio 4, music and opera on BBC radio and television. He is a former Laurence Sterne fellow on the Washington Post and Sony Radio Personality of the Year.

Dalla quarta di copertina:

This is the story of two men who set about remaking a political party and then came to dominate the politics of their country. Uniquely, they shared power in office, making their relationship itself the stamp of their government. But tensions and agonies ripple unseen behind the public face of a prime minister and chancellor united in policy and instinct.

Tony Blair and Gordon Brown shared a tiny windowless office when they first entered the House of Commons in 1983, and two quite different characters began an intimate parliamentary life together. One had been a school-boy actor with no dreams of power, the other a student agitator who thought of little else. Climbing partners in the political ascent, their differences none the less remained. One was a performer with incredible instinct and informality, the other a cerebral and determined strategist; but together they formed a potent alliance which they have used to shape a political age. Theirs is a story of intense friendship and rivalry, with an exotic cast that includes Peter Mandleson, who found he had to choose between the two, anointing one for the highest office and deeply wounding the other. Characters and events mingle and unfold to reveal how the union that seemed able to withstand all storms changed in the crucible of power, and how rival gangs fought relentlessly for glory. Such is life behind the doors of Downing Street.

The Rivals is the account of the most enduring, complex and important relationship in recent times, told brilliantly by a commentator whose observation of the principles and understanding of the critical moments is matchless. In the game of high emotions and in the world of black arts that realise political ambition, it is the relationship that has come to dominate and define the modern era.

Su questa edizione

• Editore: Fourth Estate
• Data di pubblicazione: 2001
• ISBN 10: 1841154733
• ISBN 13: 9781841154732
• Rilegatura: Copertina rigida
• Numero edizione: 1
• Numero di pagine: 368