The Blair Years: Extracts from The Alastair Campbell Diaries

by Alastair (1957-) Campbell

Genres: Politics, Audiobook, Nonfiction

Hardcover

Published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Sully O'Connor]

Campbell was clearly an incredibly savvy operator in his time - appreciate the vulnerability/transparency that such a document provides on the BTS of political decision-making, even if it is from one side and the evaluation of that context shifts with time passing.

To the latter point, listening to this in 2026, it’s completely nuts that Mandelson was ever appointed within the current government and provide another fiasco - now 3 appointments and 3 resignations, you can put the developed vetting aside, there’s enough here to not make it worthwhile

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating insight into the heart of government during a turbulent, interesting and important period in British modern history.

Can be whiplash-inducing to read as it switched rapidly between topics, each often needing lots of background to understand fully.

[Max Clayton Clowes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very mundane for a war criminal’s diary. Interesting insights.

[Ricardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing peek behind the curtains of power in some of the most pivotal historical moments of the late 90s/early 2000s

[Maia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool

[PAUL DEWSON · Rating 5 out of 5]

These extracts of Alistair Campbell's diaries provide a compelling and revealing insight into the world of Government . They cover the period from July 1994 and the rise of New Labour through to Campbell's resignation in August 2003 after giving evidence to the Hutton enquiry.
Charting the rise of the Labour Party's new leader Tony Blair, he takes us through all the twists and turns to make the party electable, culminating in the election victory of 1997. He then describes in vivid detail the defining moments of Blair's premiership . The death of Princess Diana, the Northern Ireland peace process, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq.
He also lays bare all the petty jealousies and briefing wars between ministers, the agony of the promoting and firing of cabinet members. But he also reveals the little known human side of some of the most powerful people in the world.
But most insightful of all he tells what it was like to present the major decisions in a world of twenty four hour media coverage that was intent on trying to trip you up.

[Jim Weems · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating insight into life behind the scenes in number ten during some massively significant political years In English history.
It was moving to hear of how the strains of his work led to very real mental health issues and how he worked through it. The word ‘Grim’ was used a lot.

[Izzy Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

more of 3.5 but 3 felt mean x

[Alya Pozdnyakova · Rating 3 out of 5]

The audiobook is just not great.

[Isabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intense!

[Tom Ricketts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 9 of 2025 (Audible)

A really interesting insight behind the major decisions in British government. At times hard to follow on Audible as the nicknames for individuals, combined with their actual names and referring to them by their initials could get confusing. Overall extremely interesting and very digestible with the bite size chunks from the diary covering the key moments and makes me want to listen to / read it all.