Clem Attlee: Labour's Great Reformer - Softcover

Beckett, Francis

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1910376051 ISBN 13: 9781910376058

Publisher: Haus Publishing, 2015

Synopsis

As British prime minister from 1945 to 1951, Clement Attlee built a legacy that includes today’s famous—and controversial—National Health Service, yet he is often remembered as a rather dull political figure. Rejecting Winston Churchill’s jibe that Attlee was a “modest little man with plenty to be modest about,” this biography makes the case that his reputation as Britain’s greatest reforming prime minister is fully deserved.

Building on his earlier work on Attlee and including new research and stories, many of which are published here for the first time, Francis Beckett highlights Attlee’s relevance for a new generation. A poet and dreamer, Attlee led a remarkable political life that saw, among other challenges, the beginning of the Cold War. Ultimately, this perceptive biography demonstrates that Attlee’s ideas have never been more relevant.

About this title

About the Author:

Francis Beckett is an author, journalist, broadcaster, playwright, and contemporary historian. A regular contributor to the Guardian and New Statesman, he has written many books, including a previous biography of Clement Attlee.

Review:

'Beckett gets near to the essence of Attlee, and does so in an easy, flowing narrative.' - - Independent 'More government records have been opened, and Beckett has used them to great effect.' - The Times 'An engrossing personal biography of Attlee.' - History Today 'The triumph of this work is the author's success in passing on his love for his subject. By the final chapter...I too liked Attlee, whom I had previously barely known.' - The Spectator 'A formidable work of scholarship...draws out the many facets, including the real subtlety, of his character.' - John Bercow MP

About this edition

• Publisher: Haus Publishing
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 1910376051
• ISBN 13: 9781910376058
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 480