Former British prime minister Tony Blair's memoir "A Journey: My Political Life" is a political biography of unusual interest. Clearly the most dominant figure in Britain's politics for the past 20 years Blair came to the fore as leader of the Labour Party in 1994, and served as prime minister from 1997 - 2007. These years saw him deal with the devastation of Princess Diana's death, peace negotiations in Northern Ireland, enormous public service reforms, and war - Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, Iraq. Here is a journal of those years in his own words.
Blair has donated all proceeds from this book to charity for wounded British military veterans. And, in his memoir he ruminates about whether or not his decisions to engage in war were wise. He delivers more than a convincing defense of his actions. Further, he expresses admiration and respect for recent American presidents, including Obama, and notes that in visiting our shores during the ten years he served as prime minister he came to love America.
It is rare that one is offered such a close look at history as seen through the eyes of an important participant. Deprecating at times his writing seems devoid of artifice, but simply a desire to tell it as it was. Speaking of telling it's an immense pleasure to listen to it read in Blair's own voice. Rich in anecdotal material A JOURNEY is interesting reading as well as being an important contribution not only for generations to come but also a study to help us better understand our world today.
Enjoy!
- Gail Cooke