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First Lady
Michael Dobbs returns to the subject that made him a household name -- the high drama and scandal of the political world. This is HOUSE OF CARDS for the 21st century, an insider's view of the dynamics of power by a writer who has had a privileged seat at the court of government for many, many years. This time the king maker is a woman, Virginia Edge, mid-thirties, attractive, self-sufficient, ambitious. This is the story of her transformation from dutiful political wife to masterful manipulator of the entire political process at Westminster. She is a woman who is driven by the failings of men and the greed of others to take over their system and undermine it, to repay them in kind. In this battle she has two great allies -- the intuition and determination of a wronged wife, and the blind ineptitude of Westminster men.
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First published October 23, 2006
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About the author
Michael Dobbs
101 books372 followersMichael Dobbs was born on the same day, in the same hour as Prince Charles in 1948.
He is the son of nurseryman Eric and his wife Eileen Dobbs and was educated at Hertford Grammar School and Christ Church, Oxford University. After graduating in 1971 he moved to the United States.
In the USA he attended the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, which he funded by a job as feature writer for the Boston Globe, where he worked as an editorial assistant and political feature writer from 1971 to 1975.
He graduated in 1975 with an M.A., M.A.L.D., and PhD in nuclear defence studies. His doctoral thesis was published as SALT on the Dragon's Tail. In 2007 he returned to Tufts where he gave the Alumni Salutation.
After gaining his PhD he returned to England and began working in London for the Conservative Party. He was an advisor to the then leader of the Opposition, Margaret Thatcher, from 1977 to 1979 and from 1979 to 1981 he was a Conservative MP speechwriter.
He served as a Government Special Advisor from 1981 to 1986 and he survived the Brighton Bombing in 1984 at the Conservative Party Conference. He was the Conservative Party Chief of Staff from 1986 to 1987.
He was considered a masterful political operator and was called "Westminster’s baby-faced hit man", by The Guardian in 1987. In the John Major government, he served as Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party from 1994 to 1995, after which he retired from politics.
Outside of politics, he worked at Saatchi & Saatchi as Deputy Advertising Chairman from 1983 to 1986 and was Director of Worldwide Corporate Communications at the company from 1987 to 1988. He became Deputy Chairman, working directly under Maurice Saatchi from 1988 to 1991.
From 1991 to 1998 he was a columnist for The Mail on Sunday and also wrote column for the Daily Express. From 1998 to 2001 he hosted the current affairs program Despatch Box on BBC television and has also been a radio presenter.
Nowadays he is best known as the bestselling author of 17 novels (up to 2010), such as 'The Turning Point', about Winston Churchill and Guy Burgess, and 'A Family Affair', about the last days of Margaret Thatcher in Downing Street, and also a number of non-fiction works.
His writing career began in 1989 with the publication of 'House of Cards', the first in what would become a trilogy of political thrillers with Francis Urquhart as the central character. 'House of Cards' was followed by 'To Play the King' in 1992 and 'The Final Cut' in 1994.
Each of the three novels was adapted by the BBC into a miniseries and, with Ian Richardson playiing a starring role, the trilogy received a combined 14 BAFTA nominations and two BAFTA wins and was voted the 84th Best British Show in History.
His 2004 novel 'Winston’s War' was shortlisted for the Channel 4 Political Book of the Year Award. He was the winner of the Benjamin Franklin Award for best historical novel in 2008 and in 2001 was shortlisted for the C4 Political Novel of the Year. He has also been a judge of the Whitbread Book of the Year Award and lectures at dozens of literary and fundraising events each year.
Anthony Howard of The Times said “Dobbs is following in a respectable tradition. Shakespeare, Walter Scott, even Tolstoy, all used historical events as the framework for their writings. And, unlike some of their distinguished works, Dobbs's novel is, in fact, astonishingly historically accurate."
He is now a full time writer and divides his time between London and Wiltshire, where he says that he lives near a church and a pub! He is married with four children.
Gerry Wolstenholme
October 2010
He is sometimes confused with American author Michael Dobbs, who is a distant relative of his and also an author of historical books (e.g. "Saboteurs - The Nazi Raid on America").
He is the son of nurseryman Eric and his wife Eileen Dobbs and was educated at Hertford Grammar School and Christ Church, Oxford University. After graduating in 1971 he moved to the United States.
In the USA he attended the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, which he funded by a job as feature writer for the Boston Globe, where he worked as an editorial assistant and political feature writer from 1971 to 1975.
He graduated in 1975 with an M.A., M.A.L.D., and PhD in nuclear defence studies. His doctoral thesis was published as SALT on the Dragon's Tail. In 2007 he returned to Tufts where he gave the Alumni Salutation.
After gaining his PhD he returned to England and began working in London for the Conservative Party. He was an advisor to the then leader of the Opposition, Margaret Thatcher, from 1977 to 1979 and from 1979 to 1981 he was a Conservative MP speechwriter.
He served as a Government Special Advisor from 1981 to 1986 and he survived the Brighton Bombing in 1984 at the Conservative Party Conference. He was the Conservative Party Chief of Staff from 1986 to 1987.
He was considered a masterful political operator and was called "Westminster’s baby-faced hit man", by The Guardian in 1987. In the John Major government, he served as Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party from 1994 to 1995, after which he retired from politics.
Outside of politics, he worked at Saatchi & Saatchi as Deputy Advertising Chairman from 1983 to 1986 and was Director of Worldwide Corporate Communications at the company from 1987 to 1988. He became Deputy Chairman, working directly under Maurice Saatchi from 1988 to 1991.
From 1991 to 1998 he was a columnist for The Mail on Sunday and also wrote column for the Daily Express. From 1998 to 2001 he hosted the current affairs program Despatch Box on BBC television and has also been a radio presenter.
Nowadays he is best known as the bestselling author of 17 novels (up to 2010), such as 'The Turning Point', about Winston Churchill and Guy Burgess, and 'A Family Affair', about the last days of Margaret Thatcher in Downing Street, and also a number of non-fiction works.
His writing career began in 1989 with the publication of 'House of Cards', the first in what would become a trilogy of political thrillers with Francis Urquhart as the central character. 'House of Cards' was followed by 'To Play the King' in 1992 and 'The Final Cut' in 1994.
Each of the three novels was adapted by the BBC into a miniseries and, with Ian Richardson playiing a starring role, the trilogy received a combined 14 BAFTA nominations and two BAFTA wins and was voted the 84th Best British Show in History.
His 2004 novel 'Winston’s War' was shortlisted for the Channel 4 Political Book of the Year Award. He was the winner of the Benjamin Franklin Award for best historical novel in 2008 and in 2001 was shortlisted for the C4 Political Novel of the Year. He has also been a judge of the Whitbread Book of the Year Award and lectures at dozens of literary and fundraising events each year.
Anthony Howard of The Times said “Dobbs is following in a respectable tradition. Shakespeare, Walter Scott, even Tolstoy, all used historical events as the framework for their writings. And, unlike some of their distinguished works, Dobbs's novel is, in fact, astonishingly historically accurate."
He is now a full time writer and divides his time between London and Wiltshire, where he says that he lives near a church and a pub! He is married with four children.
Gerry Wolstenholme
October 2010
He is sometimes confused with American author Michael Dobbs, who is a distant relative of his and also an author of historical books (e.g. "Saboteurs - The Nazi Raid on America").
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
October 17, 2021
Read this book in 2006, and its a standalone novel about an Opposition MP's wife with ambition for herself.
Its the story about, Virginia Edge, a dutiful political wife, but with the ambition to become the masterful manipulator of the entire political process of Westminster.
When hearing of her husband's affair, instead of giving in to the situation, she decides to fight it with all her might and to confront her husband.
She will turn these events into her favour by dominating her husband and demanding of him that he gives himself completely for the role of Prime Minister.
Taking advantage of every men within Westminster, she showing us that men there are easy to manipulate and to control in order to get her way of things.
What is to follow is an intriguing novel about the desire and determination of a woman in politics to become the masterforce behind actions that will eventually lead to her becoming one of the formidable women within the political circuit, and that a price needs to be paid when pushing her husband to the very top.
Highly recommended, for this is a astonishing standalone political novel with a woman as the figurehead within Westminster, and that's why I like to call this book: A Very Strong First Lady"!
Its the story about, Virginia Edge, a dutiful political wife, but with the ambition to become the masterful manipulator of the entire political process of Westminster.
When hearing of her husband's affair, instead of giving in to the situation, she decides to fight it with all her might and to confront her husband.
She will turn these events into her favour by dominating her husband and demanding of him that he gives himself completely for the role of Prime Minister.
Taking advantage of every men within Westminster, she showing us that men there are easy to manipulate and to control in order to get her way of things.
What is to follow is an intriguing novel about the desire and determination of a woman in politics to become the masterforce behind actions that will eventually lead to her becoming one of the formidable women within the political circuit, and that a price needs to be paid when pushing her husband to the very top.
Highly recommended, for this is a astonishing standalone political novel with a woman as the figurehead within Westminster, and that's why I like to call this book: A Very Strong First Lady"!
September 30, 2014
Somewhat predictable. Not a bad one time read but could have been so much better. Could have benefited with more pace and twists
August 17, 2025
Despite an engaging beginning, this book didn’t live up to its promise. Disappointing that the author of House of Cards felt the need to draw on quite so many cliches in what reads in large part like a retelling of the first few acts of Macbeth.
January 21, 2016
This was a very interesting experience. I've never read a book about politics yet and this was a very good introduction. I've had a bit of trouble getting used to the writing style but I find this topic very fascinating.
This novel is mostly about Virginia Edge wife of Dominic Edge in the beggining chairman of the Opposition. It takes up other points of views too never too personally (which bugged me in the beggining) always in third person.
Though we also see the life of an immigrant woman from Sudan, Ajok Arob. In her point we see how the law system isn't sufficient in some cases and how cultures misinterpretate each other sometimes.
These two threads connect in the end, the two main women standing on common ground even if they have completely different background.
Ginny's road to power is a complicated one, facing many difficulities. I've enjoyed it immensely, how these political conflicts played out, how the media was a part of it all, how many players there are. It is glorious in a way. It is glorious for me. I love how these games are played how intricate they are. All the threads, all the knots, all the dead ends. I love this kind of plays.
All in all, I really like this book, though it is not the easiest to read. The writing is a bit dry, though I think it suits the story very much. It is not for someone who craves violence and a some fast paced story. It is for the patient kind.
As a second thought I'd like to say that I loved the relationship between Ginny and Max. That platonic "romance" is something I live for. ,,You asked me as a friend, Ginny. And I've been a better friend than ever I thought I was capable being." - this is all I say.
This novel is mostly about Virginia Edge wife of Dominic Edge in the beggining chairman of the Opposition. It takes up other points of views too never too personally (which bugged me in the beggining) always in third person.
Though we also see the life of an immigrant woman from Sudan, Ajok Arob. In her point we see how the law system isn't sufficient in some cases and how cultures misinterpretate each other sometimes.
These two threads connect in the end, the two main women standing on common ground even if they have completely different background.
Ginny's road to power is a complicated one, facing many difficulities. I've enjoyed it immensely, how these political conflicts played out, how the media was a part of it all, how many players there are. It is glorious in a way. It is glorious for me. I love how these games are played how intricate they are. All the threads, all the knots, all the dead ends. I love this kind of plays.
All in all, I really like this book, though it is not the easiest to read. The writing is a bit dry, though I think it suits the story very much. It is not for someone who craves violence and a some fast paced story. It is for the patient kind.
As a second thought I'd like to say that I loved the relationship between Ginny and Max. That platonic "romance" is something I live for. ,,You asked me as a friend, Ginny. And I've been a better friend than ever I thought I was capable being." - this is all I say.
July 20, 2022
This is my first book by this author and couldn't have been read at a more appropriate time . It tells of the machinations within the Labour party to find a new leader following the death of the incumbent . At this moment , the Tory party are trying to find a new PM following the back-stabbing of the current one . Most of the characters in either contest are easy to dislike as they push their claims to the top job with no regard for morality or loyalty . I'm not sure how realistic the story is , but suspect that some of the disdain may be down to the author's own unfulfilled political ambitions . Overall . an interesting interpretation of the life of an MP .
October 9, 2017
I found First Lady to be an easy read, entertaining, funny in parts, and informative in parts. I do like this author’s various turn of phrases in certain situations. His knowledge and background of life inside the British political establishment shines through, and adds credibility to many of his books. For me, First lady was a joy to read.
April 7, 2020
Predictable, but did enjoy reading it.
March 29, 2021
Quite an interesting dark political read.
Read
January 17, 2022Beach read - talk about the corruption in Westminster and the power of the woman scorned!
Average reference
Average reference
May 29, 2023
A good read - very much in the style of House Of Cards with constant plotting.
September 24, 2024
This enthralling yarn might be a bit too close to the bone for those politicians who in Virginia Edge recognize the power behind their thrones. A brilliant read!
January 24, 2020
A decent and easy read but not quite at the same level as his House of Cards trilogy, First Lady gives us an insight into the murky dark world of politics, betrayal, deceit and scandal. I find it hard to admit, probably because I personally have a deep interest in politics, but the novel itself did leave me with a few raised eyebrows when it came to the plot. Whilst I know life can throw events at us that are so life changing that we go through a personality change, I find it extremely hard to believe that no matter how horrible finding out your spouse is having an affair can be, that it could cause someone to go from shy and meek housewife to ruthless manipulator, someone even willing to break the law. From shy and meek housewife to cynical and furious woman maybe! Futhermore I did find it convenient that her husband, apart from the affair, was a blank canvas ready for her to dominate and control, to bend to her every whim.
Again I'll freely admit it wasn't a horrible book to read but the plot was far from great!!
Again I'll freely admit it wasn't a horrible book to read but the plot was far from great!!
February 10, 2014
Michael Dobbs returns with a stellar piece, as interesting and thrilling as his House of Cards series. When Ginny Edge, wife of an Opposition MP discovers that her husband has been stepping out on her, she uses all in her power to turn the situation on its head, beginning with motivating her husband to be a better man and keep the infidelity under his hat. Using her own cunning ways, as well as a number of people around her, Ginny sets her eyes on the larger prize, 10 Downing Street. Meanwhile, a cleaning lady from the Ministry of Defense loses her job for standing up for her beliefs and suffers the trials and tribulations of the union and Employment Standards. How will these two women help one another to bring power and glory to an MP whose previous claim to fame was winning his constituency election? Dobbs at his best, willing to thrill the reader to the core.
While I thoroughly enjoyed House of Cards, I was not sure if Dobbs could repeat his success in a single novel. His knowledge of and ability to writer about the British parliamentary system is second only to Jeffrey Archer, but they are both giants in the field. While perhaps a story condensed into a single novel, where three would have properly told the story, Dobbs pulls no punches and keeps multiple storylines moving ahead to successfully navigate his way through the parliamentary system. A must-read for political nuts, especially those of the parliamentary variety. Perfect for the House of Cards (books) lover and ideal for anyone wishing to be thoroughly entertained.
Kudos, Mr. Dobbs on a stellar piece of political work!
While I thoroughly enjoyed House of Cards, I was not sure if Dobbs could repeat his success in a single novel. His knowledge of and ability to writer about the British parliamentary system is second only to Jeffrey Archer, but they are both giants in the field. While perhaps a story condensed into a single novel, where three would have properly told the story, Dobbs pulls no punches and keeps multiple storylines moving ahead to successfully navigate his way through the parliamentary system. A must-read for political nuts, especially those of the parliamentary variety. Perfect for the House of Cards (books) lover and ideal for anyone wishing to be thoroughly entertained.
Kudos, Mr. Dobbs on a stellar piece of political work!
July 2, 2008
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Although this is the first title I have read by this author I was a fan of The House of Cards television series from his previous novels. I think maybe because of that I was expecting to enjoy this more than I did, but although well written it disappointed me. Politics, Power and Passion, I found it all so predictable and certainly for me there were no surprises along the way.
I do think though that as a man Michael Dobbs has a talent for portraying women. In this novel there was not one character male or female that I liked what a collection of people. Even Ajok Arob the downtrodden Dinka tribeswoman from the Sudan, whom at first I had sympathy for was annoying me by the end of the story. The heroine Ginny Edge starts off the novel seeming to be the contented constituency wife but discovering her husband has a secret changes all that. Overnight she is no longer going to accept her role as a victim of the system. She may never be happy again with the role of the ‘optional extra’ wife on the arm of her politician husband, unless of course he was the Prime Minister.
Certainly readable and I suspect I would be tempted to read a sequel.
Although this is the first title I have read by this author I was a fan of The House of Cards television series from his previous novels. I think maybe because of that I was expecting to enjoy this more than I did, but although well written it disappointed me. Politics, Power and Passion, I found it all so predictable and certainly for me there were no surprises along the way.
I do think though that as a man Michael Dobbs has a talent for portraying women. In this novel there was not one character male or female that I liked what a collection of people. Even Ajok Arob the downtrodden Dinka tribeswoman from the Sudan, whom at first I had sympathy for was annoying me by the end of the story. The heroine Ginny Edge starts off the novel seeming to be the contented constituency wife but discovering her husband has a secret changes all that. Overnight she is no longer going to accept her role as a victim of the system. She may never be happy again with the role of the ‘optional extra’ wife on the arm of her politician husband, unless of course he was the Prime Minister.
Certainly readable and I suspect I would be tempted to read a sequel.
August 9, 2009
This is a story of an ambitious woman transforming herself from a political housewife into a master manipulator of the political system at Westminster.
The protagonist is Ginny Edge, the wife of MP Dominic Edge. Her aspirations are to make her husband Prime Minister and in turn assuming the power of First Lady. We can all relate to the characters in this novel: sleazy politicians, an array of head-line newspaper columnists and ruthless people in search of ultimate authority by all means. The sub-plot is about a female Sudanese immigrant, Ajok Arab who is struggling to make a living in Britain. By the end of the book the lives of the two women intertwine as Ginny uses Ajok to score political points for her husband's election.
This story is as funny and as it is wickedly entertaining. I particularly enjoyed Ginny's ways of scheming, befriending and betraying people around her. I don't know if it was the author's intention but she comes across as being quite a conniver in her machinations. The political infighting is comical; the high drama behind Mr Dobbs' writing should be taken as such, after all, isn't this a fiction?.. :) ha-ha..
The protagonist is Ginny Edge, the wife of MP Dominic Edge. Her aspirations are to make her husband Prime Minister and in turn assuming the power of First Lady. We can all relate to the characters in this novel: sleazy politicians, an array of head-line newspaper columnists and ruthless people in search of ultimate authority by all means. The sub-plot is about a female Sudanese immigrant, Ajok Arab who is struggling to make a living in Britain. By the end of the book the lives of the two women intertwine as Ginny uses Ajok to score political points for her husband's election.
This story is as funny and as it is wickedly entertaining. I particularly enjoyed Ginny's ways of scheming, befriending and betraying people around her. I don't know if it was the author's intention but she comes across as being quite a conniver in her machinations. The political infighting is comical; the high drama behind Mr Dobbs' writing should be taken as such, after all, isn't this a fiction?.. :) ha-ha..
August 5, 2011
A novel set in the Westminster village concerning a wronged wife who turns from contented Domestic Goddess - baking Betty Crockers and hoovering in the mornings, picking the kids up in the afternoon - to Westminster super-bitch (friend of Piers (sorry, Max) Morgan, distributor of hotel corridor CCTV footage and general nasty piece of work) overnight.
The plot moves at a fast but predictable pace, and, to put it mildly, lacks subtlety - the main character's nasty tricks are not exactly interestingly done. The back-stabbing, betrayal, and general nastiness in the world of Westminster may once have shocked us, but post-expenses scandal, and post Murdoch it now lacks that ability.
If you can put up with the Archeresque/Blyton prose style it is a good read, but bin it immediately after reading; the smell from your book shelf may fill the house should you leave it to fester.
The plot moves at a fast but predictable pace, and, to put it mildly, lacks subtlety - the main character's nasty tricks are not exactly interestingly done. The back-stabbing, betrayal, and general nastiness in the world of Westminster may once have shocked us, but post-expenses scandal, and post Murdoch it now lacks that ability.
If you can put up with the Archeresque/Blyton prose style it is a good read, but bin it immediately after reading; the smell from your book shelf may fill the house should you leave it to fester.
October 23, 2010
Having thoroughly enjoyed the 'House of Cards' television series, I decided to give Michael Dobbs a try with this one. And as much as I thrilled with the 'House of Cards', I was disappointed with 'First Lady'.
Yes, the corruption, sex scandals and underhand dealings in Westminster do go on, I am sure, but this storyline plodded along somewhat, with the characters utterly predictable and the events similarly so.
Even so it was a passable read and I might just try another of his books at a later date.
Yes, the corruption, sex scandals and underhand dealings in Westminster do go on, I am sure, but this storyline plodded along somewhat, with the characters utterly predictable and the events similarly so.
Even so it was a passable read and I might just try another of his books at a later date.
October 9, 2012
When Dom Edge, Member of Parliament, is found out by his wife to be having an affair, the adage that comes to mind is "hell has no fury...."
Ginny decides to take revenge and to promote Dom as a candidate for Prime Minister in the up coming elections. She plays dirty ... very dirty and discovers that she is the stronger in the marriage.
The plotting and dirty tricks are worthy of Michael Dobbs - a good entertaining read indeed
Ginny decides to take revenge and to promote Dom as a candidate for Prime Minister in the up coming elections. She plays dirty ... very dirty and discovers that she is the stronger in the marriage.
The plotting and dirty tricks are worthy of Michael Dobbs - a good entertaining read indeed
December 9, 2013
Fast-paced, funny and so entertaining that I found myself reading slowly to avoid coming to the end. Valiant efforts at emotional depth are chucked in periodically but you don't read a book like this for that sort of thing. Where Michael Dobbs excels is in recycling his first hand experience of Westminster: Ginny Edge's brilliant machinations are just on the credible side of far-fetched, and the result is fascinating.
May 13, 2007
An interesting read with some insight to the British political system, which I'm not familiar with at all. Some cross-referencing makes it seem pretty accurate, of course without the bickering and plotting amongst the wives (though I'm not sure that's nonexistent).
Otherwise, a fairly predictable read.
Otherwise, a fairly predictable read.
July 2, 2012
Ginny is the young wife of an Opposition MP who does a back flip when she find out her husband is having an affair.She turns into a super ambitious no holds bard will not be satisfied until her husband is prime minister and every dirty trick is used on the way.The plot is pretty obvious but it is still easy reading and entertaining
September 28, 2009
Not really in the same league as the House of Cards Trilogy. The plot moves along all very well but sometimes the chain of events really tugs the roots of reality.
Good for the beach or a long journey.
Good for the beach or a long journey.
February 5, 2012
A quick and fascinating look into what may go on behind the political front door. Ginny Edge is certainly more avaricious than her hapless husband,who with great cunning she steers towards her ultimate dream of becoming the Prime Minister's wife.
November 5, 2013
Brilliant novel, well written.
October 22, 2015
Interesting twist into politics
February 7, 2015
yeah ok - not Dobbs best but very readable
August 31, 2016
Fun read, similar to House of Cards. I enjoyed it.
October 12, 2016
I am a fan but this was not his best.That said it was an amusing and engaging read and he is never wasre of time.
March 25, 2017
A solid four star read.
Dobbs explores the dirtyness and game play that is politics in a realistic manner. Scandals, affairs, deals, and money mixed in with personal ambition and power.
Dobbs explores the dirtyness and game play that is politics in a realistic manner. Scandals, affairs, deals, and money mixed in with personal ambition and power.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews