Product Description

The first major biography of the Conservative Party's dynamic -- and enigmatic -- new leader. David ('Dave') Cameron has recently emerged as the first Tory leader in years to come across as a man of the people -- an ordinary bloke in a traditionally reviled political position. But spin-doctoring aside, not a great deal is known about his background, his family life or his gradual rise through the ranks of the Party. The son of a prosperous and disabled stockbroker father and a magistrate mother, and a descendant of King Henry VII, Cameron excelled at Eton and was voted most likely among his classmates to become Prime Minister. At Oxford he 'played a lot of pool and ate a lot of kebabs', but loved politics and worked extremely hard to achieve a high first. It was clear by then that he was headed for Westminster, and indeed a former colleague at the Conservative Research Department, which Cameron joined after graduation, referred to him as 'a young man in a hurry', a reputation cemented by his rapid rise to the head of the political department and the favour of John Major. Cameron has also worked very closely with Norman Lamont and Michael Howard, and has been an MP since 2001.In 2005 he was asked by Howard to write the Tory manifesto, which was widely considered the most right-wing in post-war history. Months later, at the age of 39, he secured leadership of the Party. This biography reveals the man behind the spin, and explores the future direction of the Conservatives. Is the current honeymoon evidence of a new Tory Party, or simply recognition that the appearance of newness is needed? Will he really be prepared to jeopardise the support of the traditional grass roots? How deep are his environmental credentials? How will he react when the press turns nasty? Does his success mark a return of the old class deference, or is it the opposite; a sign that background, for better or worse, is now unimportant?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #17482 in Books
• Published on: 2009-04-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

Review
'Provides many insights!The authors underline the hard ambition and calculation behind the surface charm, raising fascinating questions about what Cameron might be like as Prime Minister.' Peter Riddell, The Times 'If anyone doubts Cameron's classic Tory credentials, then this highly rewarding biography lays out the story brilliantly.' Sunday Telegraph 'This readable and well-researched biography provides real insight into the great white hope of the Conservative party.' Observer (Books of the Year) 'This essential political textbook will be required reading for every journalist covering David Cameron's every move until the general election.' Independent 'Anyone hoping to penetrate Cameron's still rather opaque political personality will want to buy this book, which in readable!form offers much ammunition to both his admirers and detractors!This book gives a clear and convincing account of how Cameron raced past far better-known and more experienced rivals to become leader of the Tory party.' Daily Telegraph Daily Telegraph Books of the Year 'Compelling and evidently well-researched.' Evening Standard 'The authors are knowledgeable guides to the swamps and thickets of Tory politics since Thatcher. They explain well how Cameron's clear mind and air of calm became rapidly appreciating commodities in the panicky marketplace of Conservative Central Office in the John Major years.' Guardian 'A useful introduction to a possible prime minister.' Tatler 'Better on Tory background through the out of office years than headline fodder!you get a lot of useful information here.' Observer 'Compelling and evidently well-researched.' The Scotsman '[A] genuinely absorbing biography that should be read by anyone interested in the future of Britain!The real value of the book, however, is the wealth of anecdotes and colourful details that bring its central character to life.' Sunday Business Post 'An excellent first full biography!Offers a hugely enjoyable and pacily written insider's account of the rise of Cameron.' Irish Times

Sunday Telegraph
'If anyone doubts Cameron's classic Tory credentials, then this
highly rewarding biography lays out the story brilliantly.'

Independent
'This essential political textbook will be required reading for
every journalist covering David Cameron's every move until the general
election.'

Customer Reviews

Worth a read....
A very interesting biography of Cameron, the first impartial study of him and his rise to the head of the Tory Party. There are some revealing accounts from his Eton, Oxford, Smith Square and Carlton days which shed light on Cameron's life and career. A balanced book - which reveals postive and negative aspects of his life and personality - that will be of use to anyone interested in British Politics.

Heeeeres Dave!
Anyone with an interest in politics should be reading this book.

While describing a politician's biography as a 'page turner' may seem implausible, this is a book that is very readable and gives multiple insights into the formation of 'Dave' and his rise to Tory leader within 5 years of election as an MP.

That said, the first chapters seem rather worthy, being chronicles of Cameron's school days. In reality, such narrative is one of the strengths of the book, as it gives readers an insight into the world of the moneyed classes which Cameron comes from and his formative influences such as losing a 'safe' seat in 1997 and being on the Treasury team during "Black Wednesday". Knee-jerk class-warriors will instinctively despise him for Eton, Oxford, homes with tennis courts and the assumption that summer would mean languid days around the pool at a Italian villa.

Although not mentioned by the authors, Dave's unobserved presence at seminal events in Tory party history reminded me of Woody Allen's character 'Zelig', a human-chameleon who adapts to fit into any situation so that he will be comfortable and never experience any anxiety. But after examining the evidence of policy flip-flopping, political opportunism, presentation over substance etc., the authors generally find in favour of their man.

A value of the book comes from matching how Dave mines his insiders view of the many. many party bungles from 1992 to 2003 to inform and guide his actions now.

The core observation is that he is using his own media savvy & 'likeability' to remove the stigma of the Tories as the 'Nasty Party' before he attempts to lay out the policies to voters.

I'm no poltics twitcher but this is superb....
This book is immensely informative and easy to read, and fascinating to boot.

The two parts that stuck out in my mind were the chapters on Cameron's disabled son, Ivan, and the chapter in which Cameron lost the seat of Stafford in 1997. On a dreadful night for the Tories, the so-called 'safe Tory seat' lost its 10,000 majority to Labour. Abandoned by the constituency party, Cameron faced alone a town hall with the celebrating New Labour groupies and the Monster Raving Loony Party. This was topped off at the end of the night by a tearful pensioner saying to Cameron, "I don't want to die under a Labour government." Stung, Cameron vowed to do something about it.

The chapter on Ivan is deeply poignant and highlights an inner steal and resolve that belies Cameron's friendly approach. Peter Hitchens, who criticised Cameron for "always having had everything easy in life" in a television documentary, has publicly issued an apology to Cameron after reading this book.

A real page turner, and one that will help alter perceptions of Cameron as a Blair-wannabe. As the book says, Cameron is a Conservative right down to his bones, he was born into it, and actually - unlike George Osborne or Steve Hilton for example - is only a fairly recent convert to 'modern, compassionate Conservatism' himself.

Excellent.