The biography was commissioned in 1997 on the understanding that it would not be published during Lady Thatcher’s lifetime. Charles Moore was given full access to Lady Thatcher’s private papers and interviewed her extensively; she supported all his requests for interviews with others, including those who worked most closely with her and her own family. Permission was granted to former and existing civil servants to speak freely about the Thatcher years and Charles Moore was given early access to government papers held back from public view under the thirty-year rule. Lady Thatcher did not read the manuscript before her death.
Stuart Proffitt, one of the Publishing Directors of Allen Lane, comments, ‘Charles Moore’s biography of Margaret Thatcher ... is, by any standards, an exceptionally impressive book and to be publishing it at this moment is a rare privilege.’
About the book
Not For Turning is the first volume of Charles Moore's authorized biography of Margaret Thatcher, the longest serving Prime Minister of the twentieth century and one of the most influential political figures of the postwar era.
Charles Moore's biography of Margaret Thatcher immediately supercedes all earlier books written about her. At the moment when she becomes a historical figure, this book also makes her into a three dimensional one for the first time. It gives unparalleled insight into her early life and formation, especially through her extensive correspondence with her sister, which Moore is the first author to draw on. It recreates brilliantly the atmosphere of British politics as she was making her way, and takes her up to what was arguably the zenith of her power, victory in the Falklands. This volume ends with the Falklands Dinner in Downing Street in November 1982.
Although Moore is clearly an admirer of his subject, he does not shy away from criticising her or identifying weaknesses and mistakes where he feels it is justified.
This is the indispensable, fully rounded portrait of a towering figure of our times.