The Collected Speeches of Margaret Thatcher [Hardcover]

Margaret Thatcher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 7, 1998

By the time she stepped down in 1990, Margaret Thatcher had become one of her generation's outstanding political leaders, and perhaps the most powerful woman in the world. Possessing an iron will, she matched words with action in confronting the crises of the day in economic affairs, in the Falklands War, in Northern Ireland, in the great twilight struggle of the Cold War and finally in Europe. Margaret Thatcher's speeches are revealing of how she developed the vision which would help shape international politics in the late 20th century. They begin with the speeches she made as part of her campaign to mould the ideas of the Conservative Party in Opposition. They continue with the famous addresses in which she expressed her convictions as prime minister and include lectures in which she gives her current, and controversial, thoughts about the world in 1999.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

By the time she stepped down in 1990, Margaret Thatcher had become one of her generation's outstanding political leaders, and perhaps the most powerful woman in the world. Possessing an iron will, she matched words with action in confronting the crises of the day in economic affairs, in the Falklands War, in Northern Ireland, in the great twilight struggle of the Cold War and finally in Europe. Under her leadership, Britain broke out of its decline and self-doubt to emerge once more as a major player on the international stage.

Margaret Thatcher put intense effort into her major speeches. As a result, they are uniquely revealing of how she developed that clear vision which would transform Britain and help shape international politics in the late 20th century. They begin with the speeches she made as part of her campaign to mold the ideas of the Conservative Party in Opposition. They continue with the famous addresses in which she expressed her convictions as prime minister and include recent lectures in which she gives her current, and controversial, thoughts about the world today.

This book of speeches is an essential companion volume to the two books of Margaret Thatcher's memoirs, as well as a masterly study of one of the great political figures of our time.

About the Author

Margaret Thatcher was prime minister of England from 1979 to 1990. Lady Thatcher is highly sought after worldwide as a lecturer, and is still active in British politics as a member of the House of Lords. She lives in London.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 688 pages
• Publisher: Harper; 1st edition (January 7, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060187344
• ISBN-13: 978-0060187347
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,003,507 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Margaret Thatcher's greatest speeches, January 19, 2000

By 

jeff fallis (Nashville, TN, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Collected Speeches of Margaret Thatcher (Hardcover)

This book is a collection of Margaret Thatcher's greatest speeches during her political career. They reveal Margaret Thatcher's true convictions over and over again--belief in free enterprise, capitalism, lower taxes, less government, a strong defense and fiercely fight the Cold War against the Soviet Union.

Margaret Thatcher's speeches are always full of wisdom on whatever the subject is. She brings a powerful grasp of knowledge and understanding of any and all topics. Readers will find her speeches educational and exciting to read. Margaret Thatcher is a gifted debater. She brings a unique viewpoint to many debates that are a dynamic and refreshing alternative to the rusty old arguments pro and con. In addition, Margaret Thatcher always makes very clear what her stands are on issues. The reader will be left in no doubt what her position is on a subject.

This book deserves a five-star rating because it is a compilation of great speeches from the greatest political figure of the Twentieth Century. Readers will find Margaret Thatcher's speeches exciting to read, uplifting and enlightening.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Collected Speeches of Margaret Thatcher, July 27, 2000

By 

Jonathan P. Walters - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Collected Speeches of Margaret Thatcher (Hardcover)

Margaret Thatcher dominated her party at a time when her party dominated British politics. This book is a valuable record of her formal speeches and the key parlamentary debates in which she took part. Robin Harris' editng makes the book easy to read and the policical philosophy of Margaret Thatcher comes through clearly from almost every page. In spite of the fact that he is obviously a commited supporter his notes and critiques of the individual speeches are relitivly disinterested and help to put them into context. Most interesting to me are the speeches made in the lengthy period during the mid 1980's when Margaret Thatcher gave few interviews; these formal speeches and her apparances in the House of Commons were the only means that the British electorate had of understanding overall government policy during that time. I was never a Thatcher supporter and believe she was ultimatly a extremely distructive politician who did infanatly more harm than good. This book, however, gives an excellent insight into the political philosophy behind the Thatcher phonominon and also gives clear clues as to why she was brought down so dramatically. A must for anyone who has any interest in post war British politics.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An incredible read of the greatest Prime Minister ever!, August 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Collected Speeches of Margaret Thatcher (Hardcover)

This book shows off the complete genius of Margaret Thatcher (Supreme Goddess and head of the Thatcherite faith) at her best! An Outstanding read that could win over even the most skeptical of her critics to her creed. One has to bend to her will as they read, and are captured by her awe-inspiring collection of brilliance. One of the best book ever is shown here, it even comes close to her two thrilling memoirs. It is easy to tell that these speeches were concocted by the most intelligent, remarkable and gifted women on this earth. Absolutely incredible to read! A really excellent piece of work!