The Goldfish Bowl: Married to the Prime Minister 1955-1997

by Cherie Booth, Ms Cate Haste

This is a powerful blend of personal testimony and social history about life as the spouse of Britain’s Prime Ministers, from the 1950s to 1997, co-written by Cherie Booth, the wife of Tony Blair.

Genres: Biography, World History

256 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2004

Reviews

[Annie Booker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally interesting and informative.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think 3 stars is fair for this book. It's interesting and certainly brings a new perspective to Britain Politics for me.
I bought this book originally to read the chapter on Dorothy Macmillan as I will read anything on the Macmillan Government.
It was insightful and well researched however it just seemed to fall lacking.
A previous reviewer commented that it becomes repetitive towards the end and understandably there were a few overlaps. Particularly referring to Elizabeth Home's Memorial Service the part in her chapter and in Dennis Thatchers were almost identically worded.
I was pleased to note that there didnt appear to be any partisan bias. I especially enjoyed the chapter on Clarissa Eden and Elizabeth Home. You get the feeling the author liked her subjects as a lot if effort goes in to making them seem like complete people. Of course I'm aware that they are but it could have been easy to make them come accross rather flat.
All in all, a good easy read but nothing ground breaking.

[Herb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very interesting account of some of the spouses of certain British Prime Ministers and their experiences at 10 Downing Street and abroad. I was very surprised at how little is done for creature comforts concerning welfare of each family and very impressed at the backgrounds of these ladies (plus 1 gent) who have served in this capacity with little training, background or inclination. Very well-written by someone who, herself, knows "the life": Cherie Blair (nee Booth), wife of former PM Tony Blair.

[Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy a book which takes one through the history that one remembers. Although I am South African I found much of interest in this book. I particularly enjoyed the chapters on Dorothy mcmillan and Denis Thatcher. the book did get a bit repetitive towards the end. What a surprise to find how stingy the establishment was to the those who lived in No 10!

[Jan Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting insight into the life of the wives (and one husband) of our postwar prime ministers, earlier ones probably more interesting than later ones