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Margaret Thatcher: A Life
It’s no exaggeration to say that Margaret Thatcher remade Britain in her own image. She deregulated industry, brought the unions to their knees, privatized state-owned enterprises, and teamed up with Ronald Reagan to fight global communism and win the Cold War. Her courage was remarkable and her character larger than life. She was a woman who brooked no fools, and her tongue could be rapier sharp. Here, in this short-form book, is the inspiring story of the Iron Lady, Britain's first and only woman prime minister.
First published December 13, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 1, 2018
Back around 1997, I had the great good fortune to attend a shareholders' meeting in Dallas where Margaret Thatcher was the keynote speaker. Having the dubious fortune of being a special guest, I was seated on the first row and was able to witness this monument of a politician from close quarters. Because she was addressing a technology company, she spent some time on her past as a chemist (a fact that I had heretofore been unaware), and regaled us with several humorous and insightful stories. She went on to deliver a 90-minute address without the aid of any notes, in a flawless, cogent, and precise address that no living American politician of which I am aware could match. She was larger-than-life in a way that that term was intended. It was such a privilege to hear her speak in the years following her triumph, along with President Reagan, over the Soviets.
This book is only a summary of her life, but is written well and is fairly comprehensive, although it leaves one wanting more details on important matters. As a quick read, it suffices, but for me it only reminded of how impressed I was on that day over two decades ago, and it didn't quite scratch the itch of wanting to better understand this complicated and forceful woman.
This book is only a summary of her life, but is written well and is fairly comprehensive, although it leaves one wanting more details on important matters. As a quick read, it suffices, but for me it only reminded of how impressed I was on that day over two decades ago, and it didn't quite scratch the itch of wanting to better understand this complicated and forceful woman.
May 9, 2018
Briefly Beautiful
I loved this book, only around 100 pages allowed me to finish in 2 days and now I feel like I’ve known her forever! Straight to the point and short chapters held even my attention. This is great for someone who loves history, politics, government and great leaders that were also women. I loved that she had style.
I loved this book, only around 100 pages allowed me to finish in 2 days and now I feel like I’ve known her forever! Straight to the point and short chapters held even my attention. This is great for someone who loves history, politics, government and great leaders that were also women. I loved that she had style.
July 15, 2018
Interesting Read
Having grown up in the 60’ & 70’ most of her later life was already known to me. Her younger life was maybe the best part. Very little of which was known to me. The end of her life was sad like most great leaders. They have a hard time letting go of power but she did it gracefully.
Having grown up in the 60’ & 70’ most of her later life was already known to me. Her younger life was maybe the best part. Very little of which was known to me. The end of her life was sad like most great leaders. They have a hard time letting go of power but she did it gracefully.
December 27, 2017
I enjoyed reading about the Iron Lady and learned how she acquired that moniker. I also enjoyed learning more about her great friendship with Ronald Reagan.
April 28, 2018
Best book to get a glimpse of margaret thatcher life
October 27, 2015
I absolutely loved this book about Margaret Thatcher. The author did not write a long, in depth book, but covered her life and her personality in a concise and interesting fashion. The childhood lessons of diligence, modeled by her parents, followed her through her entire life. She loved Britain, traditional principles, and liberty, especially economic liberty, with all her heart. "There can be no liberty unless there is economic liberty." Thatcher was no moderate; she was passionate. "The Old Testament prophets didn't go out on the highways saying, 'Brothers, I want consensus.' They said, 'This is my faith and my vision! This is what I passionately believe!" And, that is how she represented her district as an MP and as Prime Minister. The author quotes those who served with her, those who loved her and those who disliked her. One of her allies called her "a tigress surrounded by hamsters."
I was a young mother with children when Thatcher, Ronald Reagan, and Mikhail Gorbachev stood and governed on the world stage, three large personalities at that time of history. Our daughter, twelve at the time, in England visiting family, was in a crowd with her grandmother when Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher walked through greeting people. Our daughter has a picture of that walkabout.
This review could go on and on, but suffice it to say, this was a wonderful read about a great and grand woman, Margaret Thatcher.
I was a young mother with children when Thatcher, Ronald Reagan, and Mikhail Gorbachev stood and governed on the world stage, three large personalities at that time of history. Our daughter, twelve at the time, in England visiting family, was in a crowd with her grandmother when Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher walked through greeting people. Our daughter has a picture of that walkabout.
This review could go on and on, but suffice it to say, this was a wonderful read about a great and grand woman, Margaret Thatcher.
September 5, 2014
Loved this book about a comman girl from a small village. Her father was a shopkeeper who spent many hours sharing his interests in news and national policy and Methodisr faith. Little Maggie grew up to be Margaret Thatcher, the Iron Lady who had a long tenure as Great Britain"s Prime Minister. She and Ronald Reagan became an indomitable team engaged in the promotion of conservative political philosophy. Thatcher had ups and downs in the political arena. But overall she was surely the greatest occupant of 10 Downing Street since Winston Churchhill, who had been her childhood here. They, Churchhill and Thatcher, were the only two twentieth century,Prime Ministers afforded services at Westminster abbey attend
ed by the Queen. Though she was not well herself and suffering the early stages of dementia, she made the arduous trip to both Washington and California for Reagan's service after his passing. She confronted great and mighty crises during her tenure, but she remained true and staunch in her principles to the end. To the last she remained staunch in her Methodist faith, even taking the pulpit from time to time in the parish churches.
ed by the Queen. Though she was not well herself and suffering the early stages of dementia, she made the arduous trip to both Washington and California for Reagan's service after his passing. She confronted great and mighty crises during her tenure, but she remained true and staunch in her principles to the end. To the last she remained staunch in her Methodist faith, even taking the pulpit from time to time in the parish churches.
July 29, 2017
One of the best historical biographies I've ever read. The writing craft of this author is top notch, truly fair and enlightening on the era, the issues and the mind, spirit and tenacity of Margaret Thatcher.
March 15, 2014
Interesting
Interesting
This book presents Margaret Thatcher within a historical context. It does present a relatively unbiased comentary, offering conflicting views clearly and without prejudice.
Interesting
This book presents Margaret Thatcher within a historical context. It does present a relatively unbiased comentary, offering conflicting views clearly and without prejudice.
March 26, 2014
A Great Summary
This is an exceptional book which hits all the highlghts of Thatcher's life and accomplishments. It is full of her pithy quotes and is written with empathy and understanding. I recommend this book to anyone who does not know her fascinating story.
This is an exceptional book which hits all the highlghts of Thatcher's life and accomplishments. It is full of her pithy quotes and is written with empathy and understanding. I recommend this book to anyone who does not know her fascinating story.
January 26, 2012
A very interesting lady...The book was short; it makes me want to find out more about her. She seems to be a firecracker and is quite quotable.
February 26, 2012
This is one of the New Word City shorts offered free on Kindle for a day. Each book is a short biographical profile or historical event. I learn something from each one.
April 4, 2012
A nice overview of her life and career. The stories gave me a backstage glimpse of events I remember from recent history.
August 15, 2012
People with the character and knowledge to make changes in our governments for our good even though we can't see the end result as success are a dying breed. Excellent book
August 28, 2012
Good primer. Leaves you wanting to learn more.
April 18, 2013
Quick and informative; whet my appetite for more reading on the Iron Lady.
March 8, 2016
Excellent read. Informative. Inspiring.
July 17, 2013
What an amazing and humble lady. Margret Thatcher never forgot where she came from. I would have liked to have met her and talked about politics and our Christianity with her.
October 2, 2013
This is an abbreviated view of the life and political career of an amazing, if complicated, woman. Not your book if you're looking for something more in depth.
May 11, 2014
Easy quick read. Short history of Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher. I really came to admire her and this book has made want to read more.
September 1, 2014
An amazing woman who left her mark on history.
July 17, 2022
Really interesting book, where a woman was fighting in a man��s world. She shown she had more B•••s then the men. I really enjoy this book and I admire the Lady for what she achieved.
July 23, 2016
Adequate for a good quick overview of the woman's life.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews