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Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher: A Political Marriage Audiobook
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(3.06) - 112 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
It is well known that Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher were close allies and kindred political spirits. During their eight overlapping years in office, the U.S. president and the U.K. prime minister worked together to promote lower taxes, deregulation, free trade, and an aggressive stance against the Soviet Union.
But according to Nicholas Wapshott, the Reagan/Thatcher relationship was much deeper than an alliance of mutual interests. Drawing on interviews with those closest to them, as well as on hundreds of recently declassified private letters and telephone calls, Wapshott depicts a more complex, personal, and sometimes argumentative relationship than has previously been revealed.
On the surface they had little in common, in either background or personality. Reagan, the son of the town drunk, used his genial charm to win over his enemies and always focused on the big picture rather than details. Thatcher, the daughter of a strict, middle-class shopkeeper, was a hard worker and master of details who would rather be respected than liked.
Yet from their very first meeting in 1975, they recognized each other as political soulmates, committed not just to conservative principles but to getting things done. Over the years, they discussed and debated strategies, took strength from each other, celebrated each other's triumphs, and commiserated with each other's failures. Wapshott shines new light on this unique friendship and how it changed the world.
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"An excellent work touching the high points of the alliance between Reagan and Thatcher. The relationship between these two Cold War leaders was very reminiscent of Churchill and Roosevelt's relationship depicted in "Churchill and America". A great read!"
— Jason (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Simon Vance straddles the gap between presenting history and creating a dramatic story….His approach makes for an interesting listen that doesn’t distract from the details.”
— AudioFile -
Simon Vance straddles the gap between presenting history and creating a dramatic story.... His approach makes for an interesting listen that doesn't distract from the details.
— AudioFile
Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher Listener Reviews
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" Excellent exploration of the relationship between Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher. This is neither a complete history or biography. The focus is on the relationship and how they came to share similar beliefs. "
— Harley, 7/31/2013 -
" This was a great read; biographies of two iconic 20th Century political figures intertwined with each other against the backdrop of global power shifts and the evolution what has come to be American conservatism. "
— Tom, 4/6/2013 -
" This was a great read; biographies of two iconic 20th Century political figures intertwined with each other against the backdrop of global power shifts and the evolution what has come to be American conservatism. "
— Tom, 1/3/2013 -
" This was a great read; biographies of two iconic 20th Century political figures intertwined with each other against the backdrop of global power shifts and the evolution what has come to be American conservatism. "
— Tom, 12/18/2012 -
" An insightful thesis. Wapshott, I think, overreaches in his concept, and the background biographical matter is handled awkwardly. But by and large he achieves an understanding Edmund Morris, for example, did not. "
— David, 11/15/2012 -
" This was a great read; biographies of two iconic 20th Century political figures intertwined with each other against the backdrop of global power shifts and the evolution what has come to be American conservatism. "
— Tom, 11/24/2011 -
" This was a great read; biographies of two iconic 20th Century political figures intertwined with each other against the backdrop of global power shifts and the evolution what has come to be American conservatism. "
— Tom, 3/29/2011 -
" This was a great read; biographies of two iconic 20th Century political figures intertwined with each other against the backdrop of global power shifts and the evolution what has come to be American conservatism. "
— Tom, 1/27/2011 -
" This was a great read; biographies of two iconic 20th Century political figures intertwined with each other against the backdrop of global power shifts and the evolution what has come to be American conservatism. "
— Tom, 9/27/2010 -
" This was a great read; biographies of two iconic 20th Century political figures intertwined with each other against the backdrop of global power shifts and the evolution what has come to be American conservatism. "
— Tom, 9/10/2010 -
" This book tells the rise to power of these two great leaders in the English-Speaking world. It was funny, witty, and very in-depth! It made me realize why I loved President Reagan. "
— Walter, 7/6/2009 -
" I really enjoyed this book which described the relationship between President Reagan and PM Thatcher. They tended to keep their differences private and portrayed a united front. "
— Andy, 5/5/2009 -
" An outstanding book that brings a more personal level to the historic relationship between the two leaders. A valuable addition to the growing number of books putting the Reagan years in perspective. "
— Michael, 3/25/2009 -
" This was a great read; biographies of two iconic 20th Century political figures intertwined with each other against the backdrop of global power shifts and the evolution what has come to be American conservatism. "
— Tom, 10/19/2008 -
" This was a great read; biographies of two iconic 20th Century political figures intertwined with each other against the backdrop of global power shifts and the evolution what has come to be American conservatism. "
— Tom, 7/5/2008 -
" This was a great read; biographies of two iconic 20th Century political figures intertwined with each other against the backdrop of global power shifts and the evolution what has come to be American conservatism. "
— Tom, 6/11/2008 -
" Very intereating. She is a powerful lady and is a staunch anticommunist. "
— Gary, 4/29/2008 -
" This was a great read; biographies of two iconic 20th Century political figures intertwined with each other against the backdrop of global power shifts and the evolution what has come to be American conservatism. "
— Tom, 4/24/2008
About Nicholas Wapshott
Nicholas Wapshott is an editor at the New York Sun and the former New York bureau chief for the Times of London. He has also served as editor of the Saturday Times of London and was founding editor of the Times magazine. As political editor of the Observer, Wapshott covered Margaret Thatcher’s final years in office.
About Simon Vance
Simon Vance (a.k.a. Robert Whitfield) is an award-winning actor and narrator. He has earned more than fifty Earphones Awards and won the prestigious Audie Award for best narration thirteen times. He was named Booklist’s very first Voice of Choice in 2008 and has been named an AudioFile Golden Voice as well as an AudioFile Best Voice of 2009. He has narrated more than eight hundred audiobooks over almost thirty years, beginning when he was a radio newsreader for the BBC in London. He is also an actor who has appeared on both stage and television.