Product Description

Smith traces the course of the political partnership of Reagan and Thatcher from the moment when they first met in 1975, as right-wing opposition leaders. The political triumph of their shared ideology during the course of the next decade and a half and their active co-operation in events in the Falklands, Grenada and Libya are seen as one of the dominant themes of the era. Thatcher is portrayed as the chief architect of their joint strategy but at the same time respectful of the American president. Hitherto unpublished anecdotes, culled from advisers and aides, are used to show how the interaction of their personalities affected the political destinies of their respective countries and the rest of the world. The author is a long-time political and internatiomal correspondent of "The Times".

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1553856 in Books
• Published on: 1990-11-29
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 288 pages

Review
A decidedly partisan and partial assessment of that remarkably stable relationship forged between the two preeminent Western conservatives and national leaders of the 1980's, from the veteran political columist for the London Times. Although the Iron Lady is no longer Britain's PM, the effect of such a late-breaking political change is slight with regard to Smith's major concerns here. He details at length the origin, development, and dimensions of the political partnership between Reagan and Thatcher, comparing their respective ascendancies to heads of state, and making clear that theirs was far more than a marriage of convenience. Strange bedfellows though they may have seemed, their ideological roots grew from similar soil, and their disparate approaches were ultimately to the same goal. Thatcher's orientation to detail and combativeness contrasts continuously here with Reagan's aversion to particulars and his readiness to ramble, but as Smith notes she quickly realized her value to the President as an advisor and kindred spirit and made the most of it, regardless of her sometimes sharply opposing views. Crises such as the Falklands War, the invasion of Grenada, the bombing of Libya, and Irangate are examined from this perspective, with prominent sources in and out of government cited in re-creating the highlights of Reagan's two terms and Thatcher's three. Unfortunately, the level of analysis is shallow, based almost exclusively, and uncritically, on these "informed sources," and at times a tone of chatty irrelevance pervades - the quality of Maggie's washroom facilities in her various offices before moving to 10 Downing Street being an especially odious example. Details of Thatcher's private thinking are interesting, but moments of real insight are rare. An idea with merit, but leaving much to be desired in the execution. Anyone seeking a balanced appraisal of these individuals and their impact on modern times would do well to look elsewhere. (Kirkus Reviews)