The Accidental American : Tony Blair and the Presidency

by James Naughtie

Tony Blair's affair with America is one of the most compelling stories of our time. He is the Prime Minister whose bonding with George W. Bush imperilled his political future in Britain, while becoming a hero to many Americans after 9/11. In this powerful and compelling narrative, James Naughtie asks why America has so taken him to their hearts, and what this means for our politics, our leaders and the kind of country we are. In seven years, Tony Blair has turned the special relationship into something of a love affair. With unparalleled knowledge and using the testimony of a wide circle of intimate contacts, Naughtie traces the roots of Blairs American obsession through intimacy of the Clinton years to controversy of the Bush administrations War on Terror showing how he has revelled in the adulation and respect showered up on him. However this veneration has come at a price. As Blair is attacked by recalcitrant members of his own party and distrusted by an increasingly suspicious electorate, America is remains in his thrall. But should John Kelly prevail over George Bush, how will Blair react The Accidental American is an important and timely book, written with wit, verve and an acute eye for the contradictions and intrigues behind the Prime Ministers American adventures. This is essential reading for anyone hoping to understand the enigma of Tony Blair.

Genres: Politics, History, Biography, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published September 1, 2004

Reviews

[Paul Bryant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me and my mate Sid figured the whole thing out. Why would Blair have dragged Britain into the iraq invasion as he did? It was the single most unpopular political act in Britain for 25 years. A million people marched against it. He turned from hero to zero in one month because of it. Not to mention that he was a Christian and should have flinched at the inevitable death and destruction. He was isolated and despised ever after it. Why would he do it when everyone was urging Hans Blick and the United Nations? Well - everyone knows about 9/11 and the Taliban/Afghan campaign that followed, no one got especially jumped up about that. The finesse, slide, elision into Iraq, where the quickness of the diplomatic hand deceived the eye, or tried to, was another thing of course. Bush and Blair may or may not have believed in WMD - that may have just been their causus belli, is that the phrase - and there was no connection between Iraq and Bin Laden. However - and now here comes Our Theory - the whole thing was caused by The Moment. It was a unique moment in history where you could get away with something you could never have done before or since - a full scale invasion of an independent middle eastern country by the USA (and Britain, its figleaf). But why would you want to if you could? Because - and this was surely hubris to the max, also known as megalomania - Bush and Blair realised that IF they "decapitated" Iraq and installed a pro-Western regime they could EXPORT this "revolution" to Syria and then Palestine. And maybe Iran, with a bit of luck. What a prize! It would be a democratic domino effect. They could solve about 20 problems all at once - the Palestinian problem, for one. The future supply of Middle eastern oil for another. And then seal up forever the source of the jihadi poison. What an enterprise! Brilliant! One or two years of intense effort and then the Middle east would be at peace for generations, the world would weep in gratitude, Nobel Peace Prizes would be in the post.
Okay, so it all went horribly wrong. But you can't blame them for trying, can you?

[Burt Schoeppe · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK book.

Interesting discussion of how deep the challenges Blair faced in supporting the ouster of Saddam Hussein.

Like most analyses of a foreign power dealing with the US it overstates how much Americans should care about domestic politics in other countries. Also overstates the potential impact "international diplomatic pressure" could have on a terrible actor like Hussein.

[John Gurney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readable, balanced history from BBC 4 presenter James Naughtie. Focused on the partnership of George W. Bush and Tony Blair, from their initial meeting to 9/11, the build-up of intelligance from MI6 and the CIA in the lead-up, the UN resolutions and the invasion of Iraq. The author delves into Blari's mindset and how he navigated the general opposition of many in his Labour Party. Written in 2004, the book takes us through Blair's declining political situation in the aftermath.