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The Blair Years
- Extracts from the Alastair Campbell Diaries
- Narrated by: Alastair Campbell
- Length: 6 hrs and 21 mins
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The Blair Years
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Summary
Shortlisted for the Channel 4 Political Book Award, 2007.
Longlisted for the Audiobook Download of the Year, 2007.
The Blair Years is the most compelling and revealing account of contemporary politics you will ever hear. Taken from Alastair Campbell's daily diaries, these audio extracts chart the rise of New Labour and the tumultuous years of Tony Blair's leadership, providing the first important record of a remarkable decade in our national life.
Here are the defining events of our time, from Labour's new dawn to the war on terror; from the death of Diana to negotiations for peace in Northern Ireland; from Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq, through to the Hutton Inquiry of 2003. But above all, here is Tony Blair up close and personal, making the decisions that affected the lives of millions, under relentless and frequently hostile pressure.
Feared and admired in equal measure, hated by some, Alastair Campbell was pivotal to the founding of New Labour and the sensational election victory of 1997. As Blair's press secretary, strategist, and trusted confidant, Campbell spent more waking hours alongside the prime minister than anyone. His diaries take the listener right to the heart of government.
Unflinchingly told, The Blair Years covers the crises and scandals, the rows and resignations, the ups and downs of Britain's hothouse politics. There has never been so riveting a book about life at the very top, nor a more human book about politics, told by a man who saw it all.
Critic reviews
"These diaries are His Master�s Voice. They will be gasped at, and relied upon, for decades to come. Buy them, they will suck you in." ( The Times)
"It is electric: a tale of sound and fury." (Book of the Week, The Mail on Sunday)
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Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Charles King-Tenison
- 07-10-19
Very interesting insight to Blair’s government
Definitely worth a read if you have an interest in British politics. However it’s more of a source than a coherent narrative.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Roy Whitehead
- 08-02-19
Intriguing.
A nice and what seemed an honest opinion of the happenings in the labour government. Nicely delivered, informative and enjoyable. Sad to get through it so quickly.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Aishling Taylor
- 12-03-23
Highly interesting
As someone who was against the Iraq war but was very wet behind the ears when Alastair worked with Tony Blair I found a new found respect for the man over the years with his admissions of depression etc. He narrates this book exceptionally well, made me feel like I was actually in the room. Whilst the years do jump around if you’re familiar with UK politics for the past 40 years you’ll know who he’s talking about most of the time. His honesty about himself and his role was refreshing, especially when the truth has come out about media control years later and how they treat politicians like puppets. Highly recommended.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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- Michael Hoey
- 01-10-23
Enthralling,GladAC did his own voiceover but his tone was a little monotone.
Very interesting listen. Enjoyed re-living some momentous events I lived through via these recollections. In my view (despite AC still refuting this) I am of the view TB was led into Iraq poodle-like by his loyalty to Bush.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Charles Thorpe
- 26-11-18
Simply Sensational
Being a politics student but unsure on what in politics to do. I'll be a spindoctor.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- viv
- 07-05-20
Really interesting
If this sort of thing interests you then you will like this one . It is very well written in a conversational style. The author narrates it well - he has a nice voice to listen to. It is interesting to get an insight into how people behind the scenes in politics and government think and behave. The extracts have made me want to read the whole book.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Ashley Riley
- 24-04-22
Living every breath of the Labour Government
Being a big fan of Alastair’s diaries I was keen to hear him narrate them and wasn’t disappointed. You can hear the frustrations and at times despair of a man doing a job at the highest levels of Government. Inspirational listen for car journeys on the way to work.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- B. J. Dugdale
- 29-08-22
Just wonderful
Couldn't believe it had finished! But even the ending was beautifully written and narrated. Truly, a brilliant audiobook.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Norris
- 12-04-20
Review born 1989 for context
I listened to this to know more about the Blair government and what went on, although it’s fantastic and made me research more, if I’d been politically conscious when all the stories were happening real time it would be even better.
AC is great, fantastic speaker, clever man.
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- Phil Murphy
- 20-01-17
Fascinating!
I've been glued to this whilst out walking, the inside story during major events such as the Clinton scandal, the death of Diana and the invasion of Iraq.. compelling listening. I laughed quite a bit as well. Thoroughly enjoyed it 'Big guy' as George Bush would say!
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