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The Third Man: Life at the Heart of New Labour - Peter Mandelson - Paperback
Interest-specific online venues will often provide a book buying opportunity. Click here for a list of interest-specific sites grouped by category. If you are located outside the U. Peter Mandelson is one of the most influential politicians of modern times. The Third Man is his story — of a life played out in the backroom and then on the frontline of the Labour Party during its unprecedented three terms in government. Richard Allen , Edwin O.
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Specialty Booksellers Interest-specific online venues will often provide a book buying opportunity. International Customers If you are located outside the U. It's like he doesn't know how to do It properly. Still, that makes him x times more appealing then the figure of Brown presented here, who is truculent, fickle, aggressive and unbelievably unpleasant a lot of the time. All in all, it's a very worthwhile read and I learned a lot and enjoyed it considerably.
But there's still something a bit off about the book, and maybe about mandelson himself. Apr 10, Steve rated it liked it. I cannot be bothered to review an unremarkable book that hundreds of others have already reviewed before me. Unlike many people, I have always quite liked Peter Mandelson, but for such an engaging man the book is slightly disappointing in its ordinariness and lack of truly revelatory content. I might have given it four stars for readability, but for the mind-numbingly dull 'extra chapter' included for the paperback version which is nothing but an ultra-wordy commentary on the coalition's first fe I cannot be bothered to review an unremarkable book that hundreds of others have already reviewed before me.
I might have given it four stars for readability, but for the mind-numbingly dull 'extra chapter' included for the paperback version which is nothing but an ultra-wordy commentary on the coalition's first few months in power, and really ought to have been condensed down to a couple of pages. Nov 07, David Highton rated it it was ok Shelves: A very interesting autobiography, but I found it hard to read without constantly thinking that it presented a good spin on the facts throughout - although I know most autobiographies do that to some degree.
And full of spin doctor language like 'narrative'. And more than other books on New Labour, even Blair's autobiography, it highlights how bad the Brownite onslaught against Blair was. Oct 14, Rachel Tyndall rated it it was amazing. I loved this book as it was something of a learning curve for me and a real insight into Labour politics and the Blair-Brown relationship. I couldn't put it down and was a great read. I would recommend it to anyone interested in British politics!
Sep 28, Keith Johnstone rated it really liked it Shelves: A very enjoyable book that is well written and edited. Lord Mandelson could have said a lot more but unlike many political biographers he's kept things succinct and to the point but also with some emotion.
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The Blair-Brown 'struggle' is a tragedy - think what they could have achieved if they worked together more. The book highlights we are all human and essentially self involved. It ends with Brown losing the election to Cameron when the Lib Dems sided with them - the sense of impending doom is p A very enjoyable book that is well written and edited.
It ends with Brown losing the election to Cameron when the Lib Dems sided with them - the sense of impending doom is palpable Jan 10, Tim Dawson rated it it was amazing. Bitchy, oleaginous, theatrical - the most entertaining book I've read about the New Labour years.
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Apr 20, Adrian rated it it was amazing. Those who knew me from my student days would undoubtedly be raising a quizzical eyebrow at the favorable review I am granting to Lord Mandelson's The Third Man. Such a review and realization is undoubtedly a sign of personal progress, and a re-examination of progressive politics, something the much maligned Third Man at the Heart of New Labour quintessentially embodies. The Third Man is not quite the kiss and tell memoir people may be expecting, but rather an expose and chronicle of the New Labou Those who knew me from my student days would undoubtedly be raising a quizzical eyebrow at the favorable review I am granting to Lord Mandelson's The Third Man.
The Third Man is not quite the kiss and tell memoir people may be expecting, but rather an expose and chronicle of the New Labour project, and a heartfelt autobiography of Lord Mandelson's early life and life in politics. Those who have followed, or are at least familiar with the cut throat world of British politics will find some interesting behind the scenes insights, not least of which are the supposed "betrayal" of Mandelson toward Brown in backing Blair for the party leadership in , and the various workings of the Cabinet throughout the 13 years of New Labour's tenure in power.
Lord Mandelson does not disparage or detract from various politicians, but rather gives a decent recollection of the personalities, and occasional abrasiveness of those in the highest echelons of government. Mandelson is not in anyway derisive of Gordon Brown in his recollections of his dealings with the former Prime Minister, but rather reflects the personality traits that have been regularly portrayed to us through the media, revealing Brown to be a focused, determined, but at times, difficult individual.
Little can be traced into the personal insights of Tony Blair, however Mandelson reveals no trace of bitterness in his recollection of the two occasions he was relieved of his duties under Blair's watch. While the circumstances under which Mandelson was twice forced to resign during the first New Labour term in office have been a constant source of derision for the former Government Minister, Mandelson does provide a decent account and exoneration of his previous controversies, and does so within a fitting narrative that proceeds to tell of his appointment to the EU Commission, and his final, and unlikely, return to the top echelons of Westminster.
While the chapter concerning his tenure in Brussels is somewhat short, and frequently intermixed with insights to the then domestic workings of British politics, it is nonetheless a decent insight into the role of EU Trade Commissioner, and covers an interesting account of his prime focus in office, to conclude the Doha Round of World Trade Talks. While a keen observer of the Global Economy such as myself would have preferred a deeper insight into the workings of the Trade Talks, there is nonetheless a decent account into the dynamics of the negotiations and the political realities of worldwide agricultural trade.
Both Mandelson's account of how Brown felt compelled to call on his services during the financial crisis, and Mandelson's handling of his new role should clear any doubts that Lord Mandelson is a highly capable political operator. While it may be the man's own account, there can be little detracting from his achievements as an architect of the New Labour project, or his stewardship of Britain's ailing economy. Indeed, if he is indeed tipped to be the next Director General of the WTO, I cannot conceive of a more qualified political veteran, regardless of my own political positions.
The Kindle Edition is relatively faultless, complete with all the photographic inserts found within the book. The only complaint was the lack of a photographic cover. In all, perhaps the best political memoir I have read in the past year, and measures favorably in comparison to other such memoirs. A decent and enjoyable read, recommended to all, regardless of political persuasion.
Dec 12, Maurice Frank rated it liked it. A small item is a morally stunning discovery for all survivors of abusively pushy school work and the type of teachers who rave and bellow and scream. At a moment in Mandelson's early career before he was famous, he reveals he had a mini stress crack-up and got medical advice on it from his GP. He had been overworking in his efforts for the party. Needed to take a rest period of limiting what he did. Included in his doctor's orders for it, was: For an adult able freel A small item is a morally stunning discovery for all survivors of abusively pushy school work and the type of teachers who rave and bellow and scream.
For an adult able freely without fear to go to the doctor about stress, the message was: Protect your health by not giving yourself, in fact, homework. But this is New Labour, the most famously education crazed government of all. We remember, though revealingly Mandelson does not write about it, showing it did not have wonderful results, how the early Blair was manically in favour of homework. What the slave machine of school does to children has its unreasonability, its immoral destructiveness, most of all its enormity of double standard against the easier position of adults, shown up by an event in the life of New Labour's own top media man.
All Blair era kids, all survivors from all eras, seize on this piece of gold dust. It is an extreme Blairite conceit that Mandelson claims even Smith would not have won and had not done enough "modernising", implying he thinks the massive landslide of and reaction against the Tories only ever happened because of the personal chance that Smith died.
Otherwise he imagines it taking yet another parliament, and still only happening if Blair then succeeded Smith. In real history the reaction against the Tories dated all the way back to the ERM crisis when Smith still Labour leader and New Labour not yet invented. It's grippingly worth reading for the drama of the personal fights whose staggering trail all through a 3 term government really happened. It was more persistent and deeper than ever got across in the news.
He received confidences he received mainly from Blair but Brown too on how they really felt, and Blair's growing paranoia about Brown and telling him what he wanted to hear to shut him up then not doing it. Did they expect their mate Mandelson to put into a book for all to read? They should have, when personal life in this very small top circle of New Labour was treacherous enough that Mandelson got sacked twice for appearances' sake. No wonder now he gives away every confidence he shared with both protagonists.
So would anyone in his place. Now this is a massive read. It's thick enough but then you realise how small the typeface is. It is a book I'm glad I gave the time to though. It's a fascinating look at modern politics and New Labour. It's a no holds barred look at both those subjects. The big surprise was the lack of bitterness and bitchiness. The book is startlingly fair. I couldn't quite understand how he could be so fair but maybe the nasty environment of power grabbing they call politics gives you a thick skin.
No one comes Now this is a massive read. No one comes out of this book all nice and shiny bur no one is shot down in flames either. Gordon Brown comes out the worst. Even more so because Mandelson doesn't attack him personally. Letting the acts speak for themselves. Blair and Campbell don't shine all the time. Blair comes across as weak and Campbell as arrogant and unwilling to listen.
Mandelson tells an often complicated and dragged out story well. Some pieces took longer to read than others but I never wanted to put the book down. I would have liked to hear more about his work as an MP. That features very little. What benefit that is to those constituencies is worrying. Another question that raised its head persistently was who pays for all the back room staff? Next time the Labour party rings me for a donation at election time it will get short thrift.
Politics seems to be about image rather than helping the masses.
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Thankfully we have limits on electioneering spending. So while we may waste considerably less than the US think what their party spends could do in NASAs budget instead we still could improve on how party's spend their donations. I did feel that Mandelson had the urge to better the country and especially it's lower classes. However I think that is impossible if you also want to have a 'career' in Politics.
This is a fascinating but very long book.
The Third Man: Life at the Heart of New Labour by Peter Mandelson: review
I'd recommend reading it in sections. Even the chapters were monstrously large. It would be interesting to read as candid a book as this from his opposite side of the House of Commons. I fear it would read very much the same though. Jul 27, Wendy rated it really liked it Shelves: If you're only going to read one book on the rise and fall of New Labour, this probably shouldn't be it. I imagine that there are other books on the topic that are less biased and take a broader perspective. However, if you're a political junkie, this book does offer a vivid first-hand account of the reshaping of the Labour party in the late 80s and 90s, and the government's successes and later unravellings in the 00s.
Particularly fascinating is the depiction of the relationship between Tony Bl If you're only going to read one book on the rise and fall of New Labour, this probably shouldn't be it. Particularly fascinating is the depiction of the relationship between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, which partakes of both Shakespearean tragedy and farce. I read this book in part, because as someone who takes an interest in British politics from afar, I've never quite understood exactly what Peter Mandelson did, or why he seemed to be so hated or even feared by some people.
I now have a better understanding of both of those things, although Mandelson naturally portrays himself as a pretty likeable person. One rather odd thing about the book is how seldom Mandelson discusses policy in terms other than the impression it made with the voters. The telling exception is when he discusses his work as a European Trade Commissioner.
For example, Mandelson praises Tony Blair's "Tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime" slogan for connecting with voters in middle England, but never spends a moment examining whether New Labour's crime policies actually did anything to reduce crime or make Britons safer. Mandelson very specifically denies the oft-made assertion that New Labour was all spin and no substance, but his own narrative consistently focuses more on the spin.
Although this may be partly because he judges that his audience doesn't want a lot of boring technocratic detail on policies that may now be irrelevant anyway. Similarly, if you're looking for juicy revelations about the run-up to the Iraq war or about the election campaign, you won't find them here. Mandelson covers these topics, but doesn't offer any big surprises. But if you want to know about the ins and outs of political infighting, and get a sense of the personalities that shaped the present-day Labour party, the book delivers on that.
I remember the fuss when this book first came out in serial form in The Times. The problem with newspaper excerpts is that they concentrate on the more 'sexy' pieces.
The Third Man: Life at the Heart of New Labour
It is a well written absorbing read if the subject interests you of the rise and fall of New Labour. Of the three young men responsible for the development of New Labour policies which kept Labour in power for three terms, Mandelson is the background figure who co-ordinated campaigns and acted as mediator and sounding board for bo I remember the fuss when this book first came out in serial form in The Times. Of the three young men responsible for the development of New Labour policies which kept Labour in power for three terms, Mandelson is the background figure who co-ordinated campaigns and acted as mediator and sounding board for both Prime Ministers in the long bitter power struggle between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.
He has tried to be dispassionate and fair, but Brown does come off worst in this assessment. My own impression is that of the three, Mandelson got the short straw. Apart from his period in Europe, his active life in the Westminster theatre has been brief with unexpected abrupt endings. Now he is in the House of Lords I suppose it is just a matter of time before electoral reform sends him once again into the background.
His ability to cope with hostile press and television interviews is impressive. Interesting book filling in the gaps about New Labour, both before an during their 13 years in government. It is very strange that what politicians presumably dream of most, to be in government, that they spend all of their time trying to destroy what they have achieved. If all that is said in this book is true about the in fighting and personal one upmanships, particularly about Gordon Brown, then it is very sad that GB could not see that the position of PM he wanted and thought he could do was t Interesting book filling in the gaps about New Labour, both before an during their 13 years in government.
If all that is said in this book is true about the in fighting and personal one upmanships, particularly about Gordon Brown, then it is very sad that GB could not see that the position of PM he wanted and thought he could do was the very position that he was most unsuited for. Sadly this was never to be the case which unfortunately seems to be the pattern with any UK government. Well worth reading if you are interested in this period of history. Dec 06, James rated it really liked it. It turns out that Gordon Brown was a bastard, constantly derailing what Blair was trying to do.
Not that we didn't already know this, but it's surprising just what an arse he was being. No one comes out of the book in a particularly glorious light, apart from this "Peter Mandelson" character. It turns out that he had the foresight, and knew exactly what to do in every situation. Sentences like "I suspected there might be a hung parliament" which were written by Mandelson in retrospect merely rein It turns out that Gordon Brown was a bastard, constantly derailing what Blair was trying to do.
Sentences like "I suspected there might be a hung parliament" which were written by Mandelson in retrospect merely reinforce what a prophet he was. An enjoyable read though - none of it was especially boring - and it was especially interesting how it explained what he exactly does. Though when he talks about how he spun stuff or how he worked to meddle with the media is much more interesting than when he goes into politician-mode and talks about how much he loves Hartlepool or the need for high-tech industry.
It covers all the key personal disputes, personality clashes in the very same calm, polite yet deadly style so unique to the RH Hon Lord. In terms of style it flows beautifully, and i even found it a bit of a page turner. So why not four or five stars? Hard politics It brilliantly gives insight to the hard edge of new labour spin-politics and yah-boo antics - but it doesn't provide enough info on the hard policies which had me voting Labour during those years.
I'd like to have seen less focus on the personalities and much more on the political ideas; esp the policies which didnt make it ti statute or vote! An element of the self-serving Sorry but while i adore Mandie i really do, such a cute man! I cant shake the idea that there is a heavy self serving self regarding edit job on this prior to release.