Product Description

The first volume of Alan Clark's diaries, covering two Parliaments during which he served under Margaret Thatcher - until her ousting in a coup which Clark observed closely from the inside - and then under John Major, constitute the most outspoken and revealing account of British political life ever written. Cabinet colleagues, royalty, ambassadors, civil servants and foreign dignitaries are all subjected to Clark's vivid and often wittily acerbic pen, as he candidly records the daily struggle for ascendancy within the corridors of power.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #755869 in Books
• Published on: 2004-02-19
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback

About the Author
Alan Clark, educated at Eton and Oxford, read for the Bar but did not practise. Tory MP for Plymouth Sutton 1972-1992; Kensington and Chelsea, 1997-99. Various junior ministerial appointments in the Margaret Thatcher and John Major governments of the 1980s. Best-known for his Diaries, which The Times placed in the Samuel Pepys class.

Customer Reviews

Political or not - you should read this book
A brilliant warts-and-all expose of the United Kingdom's runaway political party of the 1980's. Deeply honest, often brilliant, occasionally slipping into self-pitying apathy, Alan Clark documents a uniquely personal (and, many would say, uncomfortably realistic) view of the steamroller that was Thatcherism. Balanced by an enviable personal account of his time as one of the upper classes, this book delivers pleasure by the bucket-load on many levels. Overall, an immensley enjoyable and insightful read - even if, like myself, you do not share his views, background, politics, etc. The world is a poorer place without Alan Clark.

A tremendous read and re-read....
Alan Clark's diary is a book that the reader can read and re-read, find favourite passages time and time again and then quite unexpectedly discover new entries that will become the new favourite passages.
The book follows Clark through his time as a Junior Minister and his successes, failures and plotting in his various posts, his endless trips abroad and wasted afternoons in pointless and tedious meetings and visits to his constituency. He longs to have higher office but probably knows that cerrtain 'indiscretions' and his often radical views will rule him out of this. Clark's views are wide-ranging and radical and strong views are expressed ranging from animals to the 'lower classes'. He also expresses admiration for unlikely opponents such as Dennis Skinner MP and cries when he is forced to shoot a heron. This is what makes him such a fascinating individual. He is not predictable and the reader does not know what to expect next.
The reader also sees Clark and his rich and varied private life - at points it seems he exists to only spot pretty girls in the crowd. What does come through, however, is his love for his wife, although, as he himself says, he often treats her badly, and his love of his trips to Zermatt and Scotland. This is a man who is privileged and has lived well.
The other editions of the diaires are also well worth reading and I defy anyone not to be moved to tears at the end of the final volume.
In conclusion many readers may find Clark unlikeable but they must ask themsleves what would the public reaction be to the publication of their own diaires?? Read this book, enjoy it and take it with a pinch of salt and hope that more individualistic politicians such as Clark will enter public life.

A classic political biography
Alan Clark's diaries are a compelling read. The man may be pomposity personified, hold unbelievably snobbish views on the importance to Britain of the landed gentry and his sheer vanity can take your breath away, but his personal charm oozes out of the book. He's frank, funny, articulate and (as he keeps on telling us) deeply intelligent. He's not afraid to put on paper things that remain only in most people's subconscious. There's a lovely early entry when, installed in his first ministerial office, he wonders if urinating from his seventh floor window on the pedestrians below might be enough to get him sacked. They'd hush it up he concludes - but doesn't test his theory.

Alan Clark's political views belong to a different (before his own) era, but his insights into the political process, his proximity to the hub of Government during the Thatcher years and the pure recklessness of his entries make this a great book.