Fighting all the way

by Barbara Castle

As a politician of the first rank in the Labour Party, a pioneering woman in the corridors of power, and a major force in Europe's Parliament, Barbara Castle is one of the most outstanding personalities in political life in recent decades. A key figure in post-war politics (Chairman of the Labour Party, Minister in the Wilson and the Callaghan governments), author of the "Castle Diaries" and "In Place of Strife", she here writes her memoirs with frankness, from her childhood memories of the first Labour government up to the present day.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

640 pages, Paperback

First published June 11, 1993

About the author

Barbara Anne Castle, Baroness Castle of Blackburn, PC, GCOT (née Betts, 6 October 1910 – 3 May 2002) was a British Labour Party politician who was the Member of Parliament for Blackburn from 1945 to 1979, and the Member of the European Parliament for Greater Manchester from 1979 to 1989. One of the most significant Labour Party politicians of the 20th century, she served in the Cabinet under Prime Minister Harold Wilson in a number of roles, including as Secretary of State for Employment, Secretary of State for Social Services, and First Secretary of State.

Reviews

[Jonathan Downing · Rating 3 out of 5]

I adore Barbara Castle - as a pioneering minister who brought in so many progressive changes from the breathalizer to the Equal Pay Act, and as a witty and incisive speaker. Perhaps its the breadth of those achievements, and the fact that the book spans 50 years of political history that she herself was so often central to, that her memoirs are at times a difficult read to plough on with. There are so many brilliant insights, and the final chapters of the book in particular touch on political themes (especially the European Union and the unity or otherwise of the labour party) that they made for stimulating reading. However, I found that parts of the book meandered, with long diversions spent rehashing points of principle around the cabinet table, and other moments being dashed over quicker than I'd have expected.

What disarmed me most about the book, however, is how beautifully she tells the story of her devotion to her husband Ted. The book is replete with poems (some from her own hand), and the verse she read out at his funeral is particularly moving.

There are some fantastic anecdotes buried within (the stories of her trips to Greece and Cyprus in particular take some truly incredible turns!). Sadly as a reading experience, it's a book that's not as great as the sum of its parts. But nevertheless, I'm glad I finished it and did learn a lot from one of the most remarkable politicians of the 20th century - and someone I've always considered an inspirational pioneer!

[Barbara Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reall well-written, fascinating, great structure. Following it up with a biography to see how they tally.

[David Simcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating read, interesting all the way through, even when occasionally touching on some rather dry topics.

[Adrian Magnusson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book by a truly inspiring politican. Not only a very interesting retelling of a great political journey but also personal and with political analysis and thoughts.