by Tony Blair
First published 2010
Tony Blair opens his political memoir by reflecting on the moment in 1994 when he became Labour Party leader, setting in motion changes that would reshape British politics. He chronicles his transformation of the Labour Party from opposition to power, winning the largest victory in party history in 1997 and ending eighteen years of Conservative rule. Blair details his relationships with key figures like Gordon Brown, his negotiations during the Northern Ireland peace process, and his interactions with world leaders including Nelson Mandela, Bill Clinton, Vladimir Putin, and George W. Bush. He examines his decisions to intervene militarily in Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, and Iraq, explaining the ethical framework behind these controversial choices. The book explores Blair's implementation of major public service reforms and his response to events from Princess Diana's death to the war on terror. Blair analyzes the nature of political leadership and the costs of taking principled stands on difficult issues.
Genres: history, 20th-century, political-science, politics, autobiography, biography-memoir, 21st-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Britain, Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, Iraq
Period: 1994, 1997, War on Terror
700 pages · Hardcover · Knopf