The Thatcher Revolution: Margaret Thatcher, John Major, Tony Blair, and the Transformation of Modern Britain - Softcover

Reitan, Earl A.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0742522032 ISBN 13: 9780742522039

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2002

Synopsis

In his 1997 book, Tory Radicalism, prominent historian Earl A. Reitan studied the public policy agendas of Margaret Thatcher and her successor, John Major. Now thoroughly revised and extended, The Thatcher Revolution looks not only at Thatcher and Major, but also at the first ministry of Tony Blair. As Reitan examines the polices adopted by three revolutionary Prime Ministers, he insightfully illuminates the broader implications of the leaders' profound influence on British politics and society. In his analysis, Reitan pays particular attention to the rise of "New Labour," as led and defined by Tony Blair, as well as the extent to which the objectives of the movement were achieved. Designed for use in undergraduate courses on British politics and history, but written at a level accessible to general readers, The Thatcher Revolution is essential reading for anyone interested in the state and future of modern Britain.

About this title

About the Author:

Earl A. Reitan is emeritus professor in the history department at Illinois State University. He is the author of numerous books and articles on British history.

Review:

A compact and balanced assessment of British political history from 1979 to 2001, historically framed by the breakdown of the post-World War II consensus in the 1970s and the gradual emergence of a novel and quite different consensus in the 90s. 'Thatcherism' destroyed the former and created the latter; thus Margaret Thatcherism is the dominant figure in Reitan's account, crafted particularly for an American audience, but, ironically, Tony Blair--heir to a different political tradition--will shape the adaptation of 'Thatcherism' in the first years of the twenty-first century. (John Naylor)

An accessible and very readable account that is rich in historical detail. It provides relevant background reading for this period at the same time as tracing Thatcherite policies through consecutive governments until 2001. (Political Studies Review)

Written especially for North American readers, Earl Reitan has produced as absorbing an explanation as I have ever seen for the economic transformation of a country from near bankruptcy in the 1970s to the fourth largest economy in the world by 2002. He is notably strong on the governments of John Major and Tony Blair and their key roles in extending the Thatcher legacy. (James Sack)

About this edition

• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0742522032
• ISBN 13: 9780742522039
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 352