Margaret Thatcher: The Authorized Biography, Volume Two: Everything She Wants: Hardcover

The sensational second volume of Charles Moore's bestselling authorized biography of the Iron Lady

In June 1983, Margaret Thatcher achieved a historic victory, securing the largest increase in a government's Parliamentary majority in British electoral history. Over the next four years, as Charles Moore chronicles in this central volume of his uniquely authoritative biography, Britain's first woman prime minister reshaped the destiny of her nation—and the world—often through sheer determination and willpower.

Key Highlights of Thatcher's Leadership:

• Transforming Britain:
  • Faced down the Miners' Strike.
  • Privatized the commanding heights of British industry.
  • Continued to reinvigorate the British economy.
• Redefining Global Relations:
  • Identified Mikhail Gorbachev as "a man to do business with" before his rise as Soviet Union leader.
  • Played a pivotal role in influencing world affairs, persistently urging Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan, her ideological ally, to shape global policies in line with her vision.
  • Elevated Britain's position to a central role in negotiations between the superpowers, a feat unmatched since Churchill.

Challenges and Controversies:

Even at the height of her power, Thatcher faced significant obstacles:

• Betrayal by her ally Ronald Reagan during the US invasion of Grenada.
• The loss of her closest minister to scandal, nearly leading to her resignation after the Westland affair.
• Isolation within her own government due to disagreements over Europe.
• Struggles with the Queen over the Commonwealth and South Africa.
• Her aggressive leadership style, which alienated senior colleagues.
• The introduction of the poll tax, which would later have devastating consequences for her leadership.

A Unique and Intimate Perspective:

Charles Moore provides an unparalleled look into Thatcher's life and leadership:

• Exclusive Access:
  Moore had unprecedented access to Mrs. Thatcher's private and government papers, offering readers a rare glimpse into her thoughts and strategies.
• Candid Interviews:
  Participants in key events were remarkably open, allowing readers to feel as though they are eavesdropping on private conversations.
• Personal Insights:
  Through her annotated documents, readers gain a detailed understanding of her opinions on critical issues and her reliance on a small group of trusted advisors.
• A Multifaceted Leader:
  Thatcher is portrayed as a public performer, a devoted yet anxious mother, an unrelenting workaholic, and the first woman in Western democratic history to dominate her nation during her time.

A Defining Moment: The Brighton Bombing

In the early hours of October 12, 1984, during the Conservative Party conference in Brighton, the IRA attempted to assassinate her. Undeterred, Thatcher delivered her leader's speech just hours later and subsequently signed the Anglo-Irish agreement. Even one of her left-wing critics, observing her resilience that day, remarked, "I don't approve of her as Prime Minister, but by God she's a great tank commander."

This extraordinary biography captures the essence of a titanic figure—her strengths, her flaws, her triumphs, and her struggles. Margaret Thatcher storms from these pages as she did from history itself, leaving an indelible mark on both her country and the world.