Book description
The Burden of Power is the fourth volume of Alastair Campbell's
diaries, and perhaps the most eagerly awaited given the ground it
covers.
It begins on September 11, 2001, a day which immediately wrote
itself into the history books, and it ends on the day Campbell leaves
Downing Street. In between there are two wars: first Afghanistan, and
then, even more controversially, Iraq. It was the most difficult
decision of Tony Blair's premiership, and almost certainly the most
unpopular. Campbell describes in detail the discussions with President
Bush and other world leaders as the steps to war are taken, and
delivers a unique account of Blair as war leader. He records the
enormous political difficulties at home, and the sense of crisis that
engulfed the government after the suicide of weapons inspector David
Kelly.
And all the while, Blair continues to struggle with two issues that
ran throughout his time in government - fighting for peace in Northern
Ireland, and trying to make peace with Gordon Brown. And Campbell
continues to struggle balancing the needs of his family with one of
the most pressurised roles in politics.
Riveting and revelatory, The Burden of Power is as raw and
intimate a portrayal of political life as you are ever likely to read.
Alastair Campbell was born in Keighley, Yorkshire in 1957, the son of
a vet. Having graduated from Cambridge University in modern languages,
he went into journalism, principally with the Mirror Group. When Tony
Blair became leader of the Labour Party, Campbell worked for him first
as press secretary, then as official spokesman and director of
communications and strategy from 1994 to 2003. He is now engaged mainly
in writing, public speaking, consultancy and working for mental health
charities, and Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, where he is chairman of
fundraising. He lives in North London and his interests include running,
cycling, playing the bagpipes and following the varying fortunes of
Burnley Football Club.
