The Goldfish Bowl: Married to the Prime Minister - Softcover

Haste, Cate; Booth, Cherie

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0099462028 ISBN 13: 9780099462026

Publisher: Vintage, 2005

Synopsis

When your husband (or wife, in Denis Thatcher's case) becomes Prime Minister, and the doors of No.10 close behind you, every aspect of life is suddenly changed. This was what Cherie Booth discovered. Intrigued, Cherie and social historian Cate Haste set out to explore the experience of previous political generations since the 1950s.

Based on personal interviews, diaries and letters, and the accounts of surviving spouses, families, close friends and colleagues, the story begins with three Conservatives - Clarissa Eden, Dorothy Macmillan and Elizabeth Home. Then comes a shift with the Labour governments and the different backgrounds and attitudes of Mary Wilson and Audrey Callaghan, before the contrasting experiences of Denis Thatcher and Norma Major. Set against the flow of dramatic events on the world stage, this illuminating book explores the pressures of life in the 'goldfish bowl' and offers fascinating insight into the 'political marriage' and the changing role of the leader's spouse.

About this title

Review:

"Interesting...It is good to see attention being given to the bit players in our history. Fascinating stuff" (Independent on Sunday)

"Many interesting anecdotes and sidelights emerge from the interviews...Laudably impartial" (Times Literary Supplement)

"Absorbing. This interesting piece of social history is a generous gift to all the "invisible witnesses" who came before" (Independent)

"Splendid, honest and engrossing" (Antonia Fraser)

From the Publisher:

'A wonderful book' The Spectator

About this edition

• Publisher: Vintage
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0099462028
• ISBN 13: 9780099462026
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 336