Iain Dale

'The function of the general is not to fight the battle, but to direct it.' Adolph von Schell'No man is fit to command another that cannot command himself.'Robert E. Lee'Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without strategy.'Norman Schwarzkopf'Be an example to your men, in your duty and in private life. Never spare yourself.'Field Marshal Erwin RommelWith the planet in turmoil there is considerable global interest in the record of military commanders in various combat zones throughout the ages. What made them successful? Why have they become military legends? How much is it to do with their strategic abilities, leadership qualities or force of personality? What can we lear? ollowing the successful approach of Iain Dale's The Prime Ministers, The Presidents and The Dictators, military experts, academics, historians, commentators, political journalists and serving politicians share valuable insights into sixty-nine key military leaders who've shaped not only the history of our tumultuous world, but the present too.

Ireland, under both the Irish Free State and after full independence, has now had just over 100 years of autonomous national political leadership.This book, based on Iain Dale’s blockbuster podcast, tells the story of Irish politics over the past century by examining the lives and actions of each Irish Taoiseach, from W.T. Cosgrave to Micheál Martin. 15 leading Irish historians, journalists and politicians write essays on each of these figures, showing in the process how Ireland developed from a poor ex-colony to a successful, modern country at the heart of the European Union. In the process, the contributors examine the importance of topics such as the power of the Roman Catholic Church, changing social mores, Ireland’s relationship with the UK, and its economic development.This is a must read for anyone interested in Irish politics at a time of potential far-reaching change for the republic.

A parliamentary by-election happens when a seat in the Houseof Commons becomes vacant between general elections, whether because thesitting MP dies, resigns, goes bankrupt, is convicted of a crime or is subjectto a recall petition. By-elections can often appear to break the mould ofBritish politics, signify the seemingly terminal decline of a particularpolitical party or indicate the end of a premiership. Some take on iconicstatus or attract celebrity candidates and are remembered several decades afterthey take place. Others quickly disappear into the depths of our memories. Asthese pages will testify, however, there's rarely a dull contest. In this latest anthology, Iain Dale picks the mostconsequential by-elections of the modern era and presents a series of thoroughlyresearched and absorbing essays by some of our finest political writers,including Sir Vernon Bogdanor, Sir John Curtice, Simon Heffer, Julia Langdon,Lord Lexden, Andrew Marr, Tim Shipman and many others. This remarkable book uncovers unique stories of politicaltragedy, triumph, success and failure, set against the backdrop of some of the mostdramatic moments in British parliamentary history.

''Iain Dale introduces Margaret Thatcher to a new generation and intelligently explodes some of the myths about her'' Simon HefferMargaret Thatcher was a woman of tremendous paradoxes: a conviction politician who was also a pragmatist; someone who delighted in her tough reputation, yet could also be emotional, and even tearful, when confronted by personal or national tragedy. Her reputation as a cabinet leader was one of being quasi-dictatorial, yet she left her ministers to get on with their jobs – far more than any of her successors ever have. She was known as a classical laissez faire liberal, yet she started out as a social conservative, and wasn’t averse to state intervention when she felt it was warranted.Iain Dale’s sparkling short biography of Margaret Thatcher brings her to life in all her paradoxes and contradictions, and shows how her election in 1979 really was a turning point in British history. Dubbed the ‘Iron Lady’ by the Soviets, she was one of the few recent prime ministers to burnish an international reputation, fighting the Falklands war, playing a leading role in defeating Communism and winning the Cold War, and through her battles with the European Economic Community. Domestically, she ushered in a period of forty years of consensus on the limited role of the state, an industrial relations settlement and the dominance of the private sector in the economy – a settlement that is only now being seriously questioned.A little over a decade after her death, Margaret Thatcher introduces her to new generations of readers who may not remember her premiership, but who are living with its consequences.

More than three decadesafter leaving office, Margaret Thatcher still bestrides the political scene,both in Britain and around the world, like a colossus. First elected to Parliamentin 1959, she served for twenty years before making history as the UK's firstfemale Prime Minister. Her two further election victories, both landslides,made her the longest-serving British premier since Lord Liverpool in the Georgianera. To mark the centenary of herbirth, this fully updated edition of Memories of Margaret Thatcher bringstogether 250 personal reminiscences and anecdotes from those who experiencedclose encounters with the Iron Lady - whether political friends or opponents,observing her from the press gallery or toiling to keep her flame alight in theconstituencies. They include Ronald Reagan,Helmut Kohl, Paddy Ashdown, Michael Howard, Sebastian Coe, Boris Johnson,William Hague, Barbara Taylor Bradford, Esther Rantzen, David Davis, Liam Fox,Kemi Badenoch, Kirsty Wark, Gyles Brandreth, Roger Scruton, Salman Rushdie andmany more. Amusing, revealing, oftensympathetic and occasionally antagonistic, these observations combine to give aunique portrait of a remarkable woman.

Politics Home: Parliamentarians' Top Books for Christmas 2021 'A must read for political geeks' - Saqib Bhatti There was a huge upsurge of global interest in US politics during the Trump presidency, culminating in the November 2020 election, the victory of the Democrat candidate Joe Biden and the subsequent, horrifying response in the storming of the US capitol. American politics is likely to remain deeply divided during the coming years, and also the focus of global attention - with Trump mobilising his base for 2024. But the transatlantic fascination with the role and office of the US President isn't new at all, and in fact reaches all the way back to the birth of the United States itself. The Presidents features essays, written by a range of academics, historians, political journalists and serving politicians, on all 46 American Presidents who have held the office over the last 230 years - from George Washington to Joe Biden. Each contributor has been carefully chosen based on expert knowledge of their subjects and personal connections, providing analysis of their subject's successes, failures and influence. Any hagiographical writing is shunned in favour of a 'warts and all' perspective on each President and the impact they've had on US politics - past, present and future.