The Point of Departure - Hardcover

Cook, Robin F.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0743252551 ISBN 13: 9780743252553

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd, 2003

Synopsis

Point of Departure is Robin Cook's unvarnished account of the build-up to and the consequences of the second gulf war, as well as a broader look at the Blair government since its re-election in 2001: its increased alliance to right-wing figures such as George W Bush; its erosion of Cabinet government; its failure to use two record majorities to create a progressive leadership on social change.

No-one is better placed than Robin Cook to write about this recent extraordinary period in our political history. Drawing on his first-hand experiences of the Commons and the Cabinet, Robin Cook mixes forensic analysis with a fresh and intimate narrative to explosive effect. The first inside account of the Blair government from a genuine political heavyweight, Point of Departure has already been heralded as one of the most incendiary political memoirs for decades.

About this title

Review

"The Herald" Interesting and extraordinarily well written...the stories he has to tell of the build-up to the Iraq war, reform of the House of Lords, and modernisation of the House of Commons are valuable history...It is also refreshingly peppered with Robin's humour...He gives a crucial ringside seat with all the authority of the ex-foreign secretary...a riveting account.

"The Independent"

On Iraq, Cook's diary builds up a devastating critique.

"The Sunday Telegraph"

His arguments on the Iraq war are incisively, indeed corrosively, phrased.

"The Daily Telegraph"

The most damning account yet of the origins of the British decision to attack Iraq...Those seriously interested in issues of peace and war should read this book.

"The Independent on Sunday"

As clear and eloquent as its author...it contains a sharp critique of New Labour and Blairism and above all of the road to war in Iraq...A well-thought-through and comprehensive criticism of New Labour and of Tony Blair.

"The Herald"

Interesting and extraordinarily well written...the stories he has to tell of the build-up to the Iraq war, reform of the House of Lords, and modernisation of the House of Commons are valuable history...It is also refreshingly peppered with Robin's humour...He gives a crucial ringside seat with all the authority of the ex-foreign secretary...a riveting account.

Andrew Rawnsley, "Observer" Illuminating and witty...[Cook] has a forensic eye for the telling detail.

Elinor Goodman, "Sunday Telegraph" Books of the Year The best insight yet into the workings of the Blair Cabinet.

Will Hutton, "Observer" The Political book of the year: a lucid and compelling insider's account of the two years that define the Blair Prime Ministership.

Martin Kettle, "Guardian" The one must-read memoir to have emerged from the years of the labour government.

About the Author

Robin Cook first entered Parliament as MP for Edinburgh Central in 1974. He held a number of senior positions in Opposition -- Shadow Foreign Secretary, Shadow Trade and Industry Secretary, Shadow Health and Social Services Secretary -- before becoming Foreign Secretary in 1997. In 2001 he was appointed Leader of the House of Commons, a position from which he resigned in March 2003 in protest against the imminent war in Iraq.

Edition details

• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0743252551
• ISBN 13: 9780743252553
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 400