The Accidental American: Tony Blair and the Presidency by James Naughtie.
Naughtie is the aggressive host of Radio 4's 'Today' show where he harrasses politicians at a time too early in the morning for anyone to make a lot of sense.
I'd read his earlier book on Blair 'The Rivals' which outlined his relationships and dealing during his rise to power. This book looks at his relationships and dealings as Prime Minister, with his own parliamentary party, his cabinet and most of all with President Bush.
Naughtie is a heavyweight journalist dealing with a heavyweight topic (the case for war in Iraq and the dealings between London and Washington) so it's not always a light read, in fact if it wasnt all such open currency the stuff in this book would scare the crap out of most poeple reading it, except perhaps Paul Wolfovitz and Donald Rumsfeld.
A number of excellent chapters highlighted the following themes, making it well worth the read.
Religion in the UK and US and the comparitive roles in policy making at the highest levels.
The role of secret intelligence services, and why they should really remain secret.
The nature of the 'Special relationship' since WW2.
Weasel will love it, it's in the mail!
2 comments:
Good man, you didn't even have to ask, did you?
Have you left yet for climes midwestern?
Saturday.
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