Reagan and Thatcher: The Difficult Relationship

A good, stimulating overview of the relationship between Reagan & Thatcher, predominantly covering the 1980's. There is some material covering their relationship out of power, both before & after their premierships, but it is mainly about their Atlantic Alliance & the leadership of the west during a tumultuous period. It was Reagan that quoted he was "living in momentous times" & it appears in retrospect that his leadership & in some ways, brinkmanship, was part of the unraveling of the Cold War. Thatcher's role as a facilitator is dealt with in some depth. What's interesting here is not what they achieved, or agreed upon (the latter being very little) but actually what they DIAGREED on, which was a vast amount. This came as a surprise show more to me. A good look a the relationship, without a huge amount of psychoanalysis or character analysis, but not quite the political thriller that is quoted. Certainly interesting, good for the general reader, & maybe for someone looking for a springboard to look at other parts of the Anglo American relationship in this period. Some aspects of it would require verification & discussion. Worth a look. show less

Really enjoyed this book. It gave an insight into a relationship that politically was one of the most significant in the 20th century. I always thought that Reagan and Thatcher had sung from the same hymn sheet during their terms in office. This book highlights the various times they were at loggerheads and is a must read for anyone interested in the life of either Thatcher or Reagan.