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There Is No Alternative: Why Margaret Thatcher Matters
Great Britain in the 1970s appeared to be in terminal declines postwar socialist consensus. She proved that socialism could be reversed, inspiring a global free-market revolution. Simultaneously exploiting every politically useful aspect of her femininity and defying every conventional expectation of women in power, Thatcher crushed her enemies with a calculated ruthlessne...more
Hardcover, 400 pages
Published
September 30th 2008
by Basic Books
(first published January 1st 2008)
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Tender-hearted liberal that I am, it is only with great trepidation and a deep sense of irony that I picked up and perused a copy of Claire Berlinsky's book, 'There is No Alternative', one day at Barnes & Noble.
Most other readers who have spent any time in the 'Current Affairs' section of that store will appreciate that I had good reason to be hesitant: this is the place where those choleric diatribes from the Glen Becks and Ann Coulters of the world go to await purchase at the hand...more
Most other readers who have spent any time in the 'Current Affairs' section of that store will appreciate that I had good reason to be hesitant: this is the place where those choleric diatribes from the Glen Becks and Ann Coulters of the world go to await purchase at the hand...more
Margaret Thatcher is one of the most iconic political figures of the 20th century. She was the first female head of government, and to this day all strong female politicians inevitably invoke the comparison with her. However, her fame and achievements go well beyond just being a symbolic first in women's ascension in public and professional life. The impact that she had on both the British domestic policy and the international relations at the end of Cold War are monumental and will be hard to e...more
Informative and amusing. I particularly enjoyed the footnotes and whatnot which explained Britishisms. And the overall sense of humor with which Berlinski wrote this. Her bias as a narrator was made very obvious, as part of the whole format of the book (interspersed with transcripts of the interviews used to gather the information for the book's main narrative). Mixing up the narrative with quotations and excerpts of interviews and other such documents kept it interesting, as did Berlinski's sen...more
One of the best books about Thatcherism and Thatcher that I've read. Even though Berlinski is supportive of the revolutionary changes she instituted throughout the British economy and culture-and doesn't hesitate to critique the failings of her opponents, e.g. Arthur Scargill, the rigidly Communist, Moscow apparatchik in charge of the British mineworkers, Neil Kinnock, the ineffectual leader of the Labor Party-she still recognizes the flaws of Thatcher/Tory rule. For example, the blind spot That...more
I am so glad I read this book! I tend to avoid biographies, thinking they will be long and dry. This was very readable and, in parts, even funny. The author interviewed both friend and foe, so we see Thatcher warts and all.
A tidbit of information that I learned: She received the nickname "The Iron Lady" -- which is now of course seen as a compliment -- from the state-controlled Soviet press, who wanted to damage her, to paint her as cold and heartless. Also, a British ...more
A tidbit of information that I learned: She received the nickname "The Iron Lady" -- which is now of course seen as a compliment -- from the state-controlled Soviet press, who wanted to damage her, to paint her as cold and heartless. Also, a British ...more
Went to see the Mel Streep movie The Iron Lady the other day and thought it was awful...she was good, mind, but the story was a jumble of dotty old lady fashbacks with no discernable narrative. It didnt even hint at WHY it was called the Iron lady. It might as well have been the Ironing lady for all the housework she was doing.
Remedy this with a couple of books on the subject 1, The President, the Pope and the Prime Minister by J O'Sullivan (to be fair this one take a broader look at the f...more
Remedy this with a couple of books on the subject 1, The President, the Pope and the Prime Minister by J O'Sullivan (to be fair this one take a broader look at the f...more
Jeffrey
rated it
Claire Berlinski has written one of the finest biographies of 2008. There Is No Alternative is a wonderfully written account of Margaret Thatcher and her policies. The sub-title – Why Margaret Thatcher Matters, give the clue as to the tone. Ms. Berlinski covers not just the facts of history, but delves into the meaning and political outcomes to those policies.
First off, the book is superbly written. Berlinski manages to liven up economics and labor talk that most author...more
First off, the book is superbly written. Berlinski manages to liven up economics and labor talk that most author...more
I always got a kick out of Maggie Thatcher and had read Berlinski's previous book - Menace in Europe - so I knew she's a good author. This is an unconventional biography (more of a profile, actually), put together without regard for chronology, mostly from interviews with those who knew and worked with her, and with more than a few of the author's well-argued opinions. It also contains a readable refresher in Economics 101. I realize that doesn't sound exciting but the book actually improves as ...more
Berlinski is very much in the pro-Thatcher camp but her biography is fair, interviewing may of Thatcher's opponents (except Scargill, who refused to be interviewed). It does an excellent job of establishing the sorry state of Britain when she took power, the steps she took and the consequences. Definitely a must read. She includes a lot of verbatim transcripts with the principles, which is entertaining. British politicians actually tend to say things.
An unconventional biography. If you want details about Margaret Thatcher's life, look elsewhere. If you want to understand how her political strategies influenced the world during her years as prime minister and how they continue to influence us today, read this book. If you don't want to understand that, read this anyway. Berlinski's writing is fresh and personal and often funny.
I loved this book. I learned so much about this great woman, and Ronald Reagan and Gorbachov. There were things happening in the world during my adult lifetime, that I now understand better, looking backwards. The author has a great move along style for a historical writer. It is never boring. Everyone needs to read this.
Craig
is currently reading it
I ordered this book after watching the Berlinski interview on "Uncommon Knowledge." But I was so intent on Claire's necklace I thought the book was about Teri Hatcher. Guess I should have paid more attention...
Fascinating and very informative. A bit juicy, which I didn't expect. Further reading to be had on this subject.
Was looking for a fair, unbiased look at the Iron Lady's legacy. What I found instead was a academic excuse of a love letter for Thatcher, complete with the infamous scene of Berlinski smelling the handbag as well as constantly making excuses for failed policies during Thatcher's era and trying to make it sound like London was ~saved~ by her policies; there is also the characterization of Labour men who disliked Thatcher as men with mommy issues. It was shallow and clunkily written and I regret ...more
Excellent so far, still working on it.
This was a very unique biography in which the author's personality really shines through. She presents a picture of Margaret Thatcher and her policies that is very interesting and she makes a complex subject very digestable. I highly recommend this book.
Wow, what a great read. Berlinski has an eye for drama, and keys in to the battle between Scargill and Thatcher with skill. For those of us too young to remember it, this is a good way to learn about it, both the events, and the ideological undercurrents that drove history toward the conflict.
And it's a compelling treatment of Thatcher, which is a nice counterpunch to the prevailing leftist crap that swirls around us about her.
And it's a compelling treatment of Thatcher, which is a nice counterpunch to the prevailing leftist crap that swirls around us about her.
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Great read. Lady Thatcher saved the UK. We could use someone like her in the US right now. Ms. Berlinksi is a excellent writer. Her intelligence shines through.
Outstanding!
So far, so good!
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CLAIRE BERLINSKI WAS born in 1968 in California, and grew up in New York, Seattle and California. She received her undergraduate degree in Modern History and her doctorate in International Relations from Balliol College at Oxford University. She has since lived and worked in Britain, Thailand, Laos, France, and Turkey as a journalist, academic, consultant and freelance writer.
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