Having read this short but densely packed account of the Thatcher years, I can fully recommend it to any student of contemporary British politics and history.

It is extremely accessible to students at all levels, as well as teachers, tutors and professors who want to brush up on their 1980s politics. The first part of the Seminar Study neatly captures the early troubles, the government's belated ascendancy after 1983 and the makings of the PM's downfall after 1987. The final section provides the key critiques of the Thatcher government's profile in history. From left to right, these critiques bring alive the controversy that surrounded the 1979-90 government and its enduring legacy on recent adminstrations.

A fine introduction to a fascinating period of twentieth century British political history with chronology and sources to boot. A word of praise must also go to co-author, Daniel Collings, who made his publishing debut whilst still a finalist at Keble College, Oxford. His esteemed tutor, Larry Siedontrop - a prolific author in his own right, must be very proud.

This book gives the reader an insight into the Foreign Office as an institution, at its buildings and the foreign secretaries who have, over the years shaped history. The work of the Foreign Office is presented openly for the first time and for anyone interested in British history and the Empire, "The Foreign Office" is a must. It's a well written book, describing the build-up and ultimately the fall of the British Empire with the handing of Hong Kong back to China. But it isn't just a history book, one of the most fascinating chapters was that on the men themselves, the foreign secretaries, their successes, failures and eccentricities. Easy to read and some stunning photography. I had thought I would just dip in and out of it, but I couldn't put it down. There is something in this book for everyone.