The Path to Power

In a prequel to The Downing Street Years, Thatcher describes her childhood, Oxford education, early entry into politics, and rise to power in Parliament, sharing insights into the influences that shaped her life and political career. 250,000 first printing. $200,000 ad/promo. Tour.

Previously, the retired British prime minister wrote--and wrote pugnaciously--about her long tenure in the premiership in The Downing Street Years (1993). Now Thatcher fills in, chronologically speaking, by writing about her life prior to becoming prime minister and after she left office and does so, perhaps, even more self-righteously. Born "over the shop" (her father's grocery, that is) in 1925 in Grantham, England, Thatcher was raised in a household "practical, serious and intensely religious." Those qualities became her qualities, and by the time she got to Oxford, she recognized politics as her calling. She threw her hat into the ring early, running for Parliament when only in her twenties. By nature conservative, she was by enlistment a Conservative. The path by which she became head of that party and then prime minister is traced in typical Thatcher fashion: her narrative is opinionated, self-assured, and, as the reader has to admit, well reasoned. Expect the same heavy demand by serious readers of politics and history as the first volume garnered. Brad Hooper

Following The Downing Street Years (LJ 1/94), Thatcher reflects on her youth.
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