Mrs. Thatcher

Hu YuanbinTuanjie Publishing House (Unity Press) · ChinaJul 2020

Rating 2.6
Word count
149K words
Chapters
49
ISBN
9787512639508

Tags

General Biography Political CareerPower GameInspirationModern BritainFemale Perspective

Summary

This book covers: running for MP for Dartford, his happy marriage to Denis, taking the first step toward Parliament, serving as Secretary of State for Education and Science, restructuring the old education system, the valuable lesson of the "milk" affair, striving to change the state of education, calm reflection after an election defeat, leading the housing policy group, participating in the founding of the Centre for Policy Studies, and becoming the Conservative Party's first female leader.

Editor's review

Margaret Thatcher is a biography by Hu Yuanbin focusing on the legendary political career and life of Margaret Thatcher, Britain's first female prime minister. Rather than a simple chronicle of her life, the book attempts to sketch how this "Iron Lady," through firm will, clear political convictions, and resolute action, forged a path in a male-dominated political arena and profoundly influenced the political and economic landscape of Britain and the wider world. It not only depicts major historical events she drove, such as privatization and the Falklands War, but also touches on her personal style and the controversies she sparked, offering readers a relatively comprehensive perspective. As a biography, its value lies in combining complex political decisions with their historical context, helping readers understand the core of Thatcherism and its real-world legacy. The narrative is plain and factually grounded, making it suitable as an introductory read for understanding Margaret Thatcher and her era. Readers should note, however, the book's stance and scope of sources; those seeking a multi-angle, critical understanding may need to consult works with more diverse viewpoints.

Who it's for

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Reading tips

  1. While reading, consult materials on British society in the 1970s and 1980s to better understand the context in which the policies in the book were implemented.
  2. For key events mentioned in the book, such as the Falklands War and the miners' strike, consult other historical sources to form a well-rounded understanding.
  3. After reading, consider the strengths and weaknesses of the "Iron Lady's" leadership style and what it reveals about contemporary politics.

About the publisher

Tuanjie Publishing House (Unity Press) China · Founded in 1987

Founded in 1987, Tuanjie Publishing House focuses on social sciences and humanities as well as fine traditional Chinese culture. Among the 274 titles in its catalogue, it has devoted particular attention to accessible editions of classical literature, publishing the Complete Four Great Classical Novels and unabridged single-volume editions of Water Margin, Journey to the West, Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Dream of the Red Chamber with phonetic annotations for uncommon characters; these are also gathered in the Classic Books: Chinese Classical Four Great Novels series, balancing ease of reading with fidelity to the original texts. Its authors include classical masters such as Cao Xueqin, Shi Nai'an, Luo Guanzhong and Wu Cheng'en, alongside professional teams such as the editorial board of senior teachers on Chinese language and reading and the Luo Guanzhong Research Association. Its publishing features span classical literature, martial arts fiction, literary appreciation and inspirational growth, emphasizing complete texts combined with explanatory notes. Public information is limited; the above is based on the catalogue.

Contents

  1. 版权信息
  2. 前言
  3. 第一章 青年时代
  4. 年少时的平民生活
  5. 彰显与众不同的个性
  6. 广泛涉猎各科知识
  7. 热切关注和了解时事
  8. 在牛津大学埋头苦读的乐趣
  9. 热衷于校园政治活动
  10. 第二章 初谙政事
  11. 竞选达福特德区议员
  12. 与丹尼斯的幸福婚姻
  13. 迈出通向议会的第一步
  14. 出任内阁教育和科学大臣
  15. 调整旧的教育结构
  16. “牛奶”事件的宝贵教训
  17. 致力改变教育现状
  18. 大选失败后的冷静思考
  19. 领导住房政策小组
  20. 参与建立政策研究中心
  21. 保守党第一位女党魁
  22. 第三章 蝉联首相
  23. 英国第一位女首相
  24. 撒切尔式的革命
  25. 树立坚持原则的国际形象
  26. 平息北爱尔兰动乱
  27. 审时度势再赢大选
  28. 创造“三连冠”奇迹
  29. 第四章 铁腕娘子
  30. 成功组建影子内阁
  31. 着手改革掌控政治机器
  32. 打碎桎梏确立新政
  33. 攻心演讲满堂彩
  34. 走马换将重组内阁
  35. 马岛战争的胜利光环
  36. 坦然应对饭店爆炸事件
  37. 打压和削弱工会权力
  38. 同中国签署联合声明
  39. 对“欧共体”坚持强硬立场
  40. 第五章 晚年岁月
  41. 激流勇退宣布辞职
  42. 承受丧夫之痛
  43. 为不肖儿奔波操劳
  44. 落寞的老妇生活
  45. 古稀之年的风光
  46. 撒切尔夫人的执政风格
  47. “撒切尔主义”的深远影响
  48. 年谱
  49. 本书主要参考资料

FAQ

Is this book an authorized biography of Margaret Thatcher? No. It is a biography compiled by the Chinese author Hu Yuanbin, based on public historical sources and research. It is not an official biography authorized by Margaret Thatcher herself or her family.
Does the book show an obvious bias for or against its subject? The book mainly recounts her life and policies and strives to present objective facts. Any biography inevitably reflects its author's perspective, however, so readers are advised to keep a critical mind and treat it as one window into understanding Margaret Thatcher.
Is this book suitable for high school students? Yes. The language is relatively plain and the narrative clear, making it suitable as supplementary reading for high school students learning about modern world history and important political figures, and helpful for cultivating an interest in history and political awareness.

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About the author

Hu Yuanbin Author · China · 1963

Hu Yuanbin was born in November 1963 in Fang County, Hubei Province. He graduated from Hubei Education College and is a member of the Hubei Provincial Writers Association. He has long been engaged in book editing and popular writing, having compiled and written hundreds of books on biography, historical stories, and traditional Chinese culture. His works number 203 in the library, including representative titles such as Journey to the West, Water Margin, Wandering, Suixiju Diet Manual, and The Splendid Scenes of the Imperial Palace. His common categories cover inspirational growth, health, culture, medicine, historical reading, and film and television. His works show a focus on accessible writing for general readers, turning literary classics, historical knowledge, and dietary and medical common sense into easy-to-read volumes. Public information is limited, and details of his specific career are difficult to elaborate, but through his considerable output he has achieved broad coverage in the field of popular reading.