The Burden of Power: Countdown to Iraq - The Alastair Campbell Diaries - Softcover

Campbell, Alastair

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0099514737 ISBN 13: 9780099514732

Publisher: Arrow, 2013

Synopsis

The Burden of Power is the fourth volume of Alastair Campbell's diaries, and perhaps the most eagerly awaited given the ground it covers.

It begins on September 11, 2001, a day which immediately wrote itself into the history books, and it ends on the day Campbell leaves Downing Street. In between there are two wars: first Afghanistan, and then, even more controversially, Iraq. It was the most difficult decision of Tony Blair's premiership, and almost certainly the most unpopular. Campbell describes in detail the discussions with President Bush and other world leaders as the steps to war are taken, and delivers a unique account of Blair as war leader. He records the enormous political difficulties at home, and the sense of crisis that engulfed the government after the suicide of weapons inspector David Kelly.

And all the while, Blair continues to struggle with two issues that ran throughout his time in government - fighting for peace in Northern Ireland, and trying to make peace with Gordon Brown. And Campbell continues to struggle balancing the needs of his family with one of the most pressurised roles in politics.

Riveting and revelatory, The Burden of Power is as raw and intimate a portrayal of political life as you are ever likely to read.

About this title

Book Description:

The final and most controversial volume of Alastair Campbell's complete diaries: the countdown to Iraq

From the Back Cover:

The Alastair Campbell Diaries [use branding]

'Hugely gripping' 'Engrossing' ''Fascinating'
Sunday Times Independent Financial Times
September 11, 2001 was a day which immediately wrote itself into the history books, and it is the first entry in this volume of Alastair Campbell's diaries. There followed two wars: first Afghanistan, and then, more controversially, Iraq. Campbell describes in detail Tony Blair's discussions with President Bush and other world leaders as the steps to war are taken, and the sense of crisis that engulfs the government after the suicide of weapons inspector David Kelly.

All the while, Blair continues to struggle with two issues that ran throughout his time in government - fighting for peace in Northern Ireland, and trying to make peace with Gordon Brown. And Campbell continues to struggle balancing the needs of his family with one of the most pressurised roles in politics as the media increasingly turn against him. Riveting and revelatory, The Burden of Power is as raw and intimate a portrayal of political life as you are ever likely to read.

'Campbell's great strength is that he tells it like it is' Spectator

About this edition

• Publisher: Arrow
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0099514737
• ISBN 13: 9780099514732
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 768