The Path to Power

Rating:
Summary: An improvement on her previous memoirs
Review: After ploughing my way through the truly dreary "Downing Street Years", this one remained on my shelves for some considerable time. But it is an improvement on that volume: the style is less ponderous, making it a more accessible work. Like all political memoirs, however, I found it lacked balance (politicians tend to recast the past in order to present themselves in a better light) - for example, one is left to wonder whether Mrs Thatcher's criticisms of Harold Macmillan's premiership were coloured by his critique of hers. In addition, it seemed strange that the years 1925 to 1970 were dealt with in a mere 160 pages. I finished the book with a feeling that perhaps the reason why she ran out of steam was that once there was little left to crusade against, she had little constructive to offer (throughout the book, the story is of how she set her mind against things rather than trying to forge a new politico-economic philosophy). Perhaps an objective criticism of Mrs Thatcher's career is best left to the historians.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating tale from a remarkable woman
Review: How did a young woman from nowhere (Thatcher describes her childhood background in the kindest way possible but it was the last place you'd expect to find greatness) rise to become a politician and then Prime Minister of Great Britain? Baroness Thatcher tells the story of her life with humor and restraint. She never uses being a woman as a crutch or excuse and although she obviously loved her husband and children the main focus of the book is what was going on in her head. Tough, stubborn and bold she slowly pushes forward through school, through a legal career, through the back benches and finally when the chance for the highest office in the land comes her way she pounces on it.

Path to Power is excellent reading for those who find Parliment to be incomprehensible, for those who wonder if an American woman can ever be another Thatcher and for those who simply like a Horatio Alger story. Now, is it a bit dry? Yep, it certainly is but you didn't really expect gooey girl talk from Margaret Thatcher, did you?

Rating:
Summary: A road less travelled...
Review: In this book, the prequel to her more successful (and essentially more interesting) volume entitled 'The Downing Street Years', Margaret Thatcher gives us a glimpse into her life, and the events and people who shaped her, basically, who made her who she is.

You'll learn about her time at university, her early days in politics from a personal standpoint (for instance, she used to do her own ironing to press dresses immediately before going out, as she couldn't afford to have them pressed, and other small details like this abound), early days in the government and then leading up to the time in opposition prior to the elections of 1979.

Thatcher also adds a postscript to this book, completed after the account of her time as Prime Minister, in which she gives her prescriptions for a better Britain and Europe (in some ways, she might agree that her stance on the Eurocurrency is a la Nancy Reagan, i.e., 'Just say No!'). She has a few swipes at John Major, the man she helped into power, perhaps hoping to be able to be an active and effective agent from behind the scenes. Major retaliates a bit in his own autobiography.

In all, unless you're REALLY into British politics or Thatcher personally, this book could be easily missed. Read 'The Downing Street Years', and, as I've seen you can often pick this book up for some bargain-bin price, buy it so as to have the set. And you might peruse a chapter here and there.

It does have a good style of writing, but goes on quite a bit. Historians will appreciate it, but I often wonder if politicians think that most will actually read through all this material, considering they are invariably written when the author is off the centre stage?

Rating:
Summary: Marvelous insights to the life of a marvelous lady
Review: Sure, I have a personally inscribed copy, and consider this book one of the greatest treasures of my library, held along with the cherished memory of meeting Lady Thatcher. But, as you know by now, I can remain completely objective. This is a wonderful book.

If you are at all interested in Torys, conservatives, or strong female leadership, this is a must read. I found the discussion fascinating, although, yes, as an attention span challenged American, a tad tedious in spots. However, it's well worth the effort.

Also look for "Downing Street Years", for additional writings by Lady Thatcher.

Rating:
Summary: Full detailed account of Mrs Thatcher's rise to power
Review: Talk about a meaty book ! It can be hard going at times but if one keeps going you gain the reward and insight into what make this remarkable woman.No wonder the male members of the cabinet feared her !

Rating:
Summary: Review of Path to Power: One view
Review: Thatcher formulates political policy with precision, and her account of the pre-Downing street years is an interesting one. One is compelled to reckon ultimately with her abilities to communicate conservative policies with persuation and vigor during a time of sinking socalism in Britain. She marries subjective personal insights with cold, hard economic fact. Trade unions, the Heath government, the press, her fellow MP's are the all the subject of clear thinking analysis for the most part, some exceptions aside. She had her detractors, just has she does now, and she writes concisely about her efforts to frame issues in their ultimate consequences. Leading the movement to privitize nationalised industry was one of her strong points. She lets the reader in on how she herself was moved by events, admitting small misteps and regrets. I find very interesting the accounts of UK press reactions to her early speaches against Soviet subterfuge. She had her confidence tested leading up to the PM election, but with Labour government policies looking absurd to most Britains by 1978, she prevailed. It is a bit sad to read of her Tory MP confidants falling out of her favor. All and all a good personnalized account of UK Tory politics of the 1970's. Of most interest to this reader is her various accountings of the policy battles within the Heath government.

Rating:
Summary: A Decent Memoir
Review: This was a decent read, though I think that Lady Thatcher hastily wrote it as a prequel to the more celebrated "Downing Street Years." That being said, it was interesting to read about her rise from backbencher to Conservative Party leader. In grabbing the reigns of Tory leadership, she toppled a mindset that accepted Britain's economic decline as being part of "the natural order of things." She also offers insights on the European and international scene during the middle to late 1970s. On this, she criticized the idea of detente as being a recipe for disaster. The memoir ends with Britain's so-called Winter of Discontent, which propelled her into Downing Street.