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A Journey
- Narrated by: Tony Blair
- Length: 16 hrs and 3 mins
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A Journey
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Summary
Tony Blair is the politician who defines our times. His emergence as Labour leader in 1994 marked a seismic shift in British politics. Within a few short years, he had transformed his party and rallied the country behind him, becoming prime minister in 1997 with the biggest victory in Labour’s history, and bringing to an end 18 years of Conservative government. He took Labour to a historic three terms in office, as the dominant political figure of the last two decades.
A Journey is Tony Blair’s first-hand account of his years in office and beyond. Here he describes for the first time his role in shaping our recent history, from the aftermath of Princess Diana’s death to the war on terror. He reveals the leadership decisions that were necessary to reinvent his party, the relationships with colleagues such as Gordon Brown and Peter Mandelson, the gruelling negotiations for peace in Northern Ireland, the battles over education and health, the implementation of the biggest reforms to public services since 1945, and his relationships with leaders on the world stage, including Clinton, Putin, and Bush. He analyses the belief in ethical intervention that led to his decisions to go to war, in Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, and, most controversially of all, in Iraq.
A Journey is a book about the nature and uses of political power. In frank, unflinching, often wry detail, Tony Blair charts the ups and downs of his career to provide insight into the man, as well as the politician and statesman. He explores the challenges of leadership, and explains why he took on public opinion to stand up for what he believed in. Few British prime ministers have shaped the nation’s course as profoundly as Tony Blair, and his achievements and his legacy will be debated for years to come. Amid the millions of words written about him, this book is unique: his own journey, in his own words.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Christopher J. Campbell
- 07-04-21
50% Iraq justification, 50% PLP internal struggles
Mr Blair spends many chapters discussing the fall-out of 9/11 and the subsequent run up to invasion. He provides no previously undisclosed information on his reasoning so as such, this may weary the already war-weary among us. Gordon Brown is painted as an almost caricature villain by the closing chapters (maybe he was?) which is a fairly amusing thought. An already deep-rooted interest in the British Labour Party is required in order to push through this book. Be warned: Mr Blair writes rather indulgently.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Louise
- 21-07-11
One of my favourites!
I have thoroughly enjoyed this book - and have listened to it numerous times. Very interesting insight into the life and tales of British Prime Ministerial-ship - the politics, visits with the Royal Family, life at Number 10, relationships between party members and the experience of being a Prime Minister - the ups and downs. It's very personal, beautifully and candidly written, and shows the warmth and integrity of the author. Great read/listen - made even more so given it's narrated by Tony Blair himself. I highly recommend it to all readers. You don't need to be heavily into politics to thoroughly enjoy this - it's written in a very personable, down-to-earth style.
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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
- Anonymous User
- 28-07-17
Must read
An in depth look into a labour government and a priminster who changed the direction of the country. For better or for worse he was
The most successful labour leader and priminster to date who won three general election wins.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Lisiane
- 16-02-11
Brilliant.
Blair takes you to the centre of the action where decisions have to be made everyday. One of the most engaging political autobiographies I've read. It's very direct, sometimes funny and witty. A must read.
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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
- Anonymous User
- 27-06-23
Very insightful (although his perspective)
I found this a fascinating listen about his time in charge of the country and the life and death decisions that he had to make. A really good listen
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- I. A. Clark
- 30-09-10
The work of a consummate barrister
My first impression when I heard the narrator was: gosh, they?ve found an actor who talks just like Tony Blair! Then I discovered it was the man himself reading his own book.
As I heard more, however, I began to wonder if I wasn?t listening to an actor after all.
My first impressions were of a thoroughly nice guy: a little too convinced, perhaps, of the irrepressible goodness of human nature, especially his own. He robustly defends his record, and it all sounds convincing until you stop to think about what he?s saying. Soon I found myself reversing the spin on every one of his utterances, like so many subatomic particles. The result didn't sound anything like so good.
But that very realisation makes me more inclined to believe his version of events. There are one or two places where I felt he had missed out a vital consideration, but that could be put down to understandable blind-spots in a busy person, who gets little spare time to go boning up on anything but the matter in-hand. I am convinced that nowhere does he actually say what just isn?t so. Especially when reversing the spin confirms my darkest suspicions. But of course he is a trained barrister, hence he chooses words to show his utterances in the best possible light.
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8 people 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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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Brian
- 13-11-21
Excellent book
Fantastic autobiography, a very honest and open account of his time as PM. He doesn’t hide from any of the difficult issues and comes across with good balance and empathy. All the better as it is read by the man himself
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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
- Saundg
- 16-09-15
Great insight into the Blair years
Ok, I have to admit to being somewhat biased, as I was always a great admirer of Blair & New Labour policies. I had already read the book, but felt that listening to the author added an extra, more personal dimension to the book.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Judy
- 26-11-10
Very interesting!
A really interesting insight into the machinations behind being a world leader. Certain situations - the negotiations in Northern Ireland, the social eruption after Diana's death - are rivetting. His voice is interesting too - despite himself, it gives clues as to how he feels/felt about the situations he is recalling. I'm not an habitual Labour voter so was able to listen without feeling deeply one way or another about what he was discussing or promoting. What does come across is his real intelligence, force of character, great energy and, ultimately, how ten years at the top takes its toll. Fascinating.
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2 people 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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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 23-11-21
Refreshingly honest and sincere.
Refreshingly honest and sincere, irrespective of any different opinions on the facts, and irrespective of any political inclinations. It gets you thinking.
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