Author Description

Harold Wilson remains one of the most controversial of post-war British Prime Ministers. There has been no serious study of Wilson's first term in office - now possible because of the opening up of sources at the National Archives and the private papers of Wilson, James Callaghan and George Brown. Wilson's reputation is darkened by accusations that he had little strategic commitment to any cause, although he was a tactically brilliant politician. Yet Wilson was Prime Minister four times and presided over tumultuous changes. This study shows Wilson at the peak of his powers, from the optimistic 'new JFK' days, of 1964, to the realisation, by 1970, that Britain was a nation struggling to come to terms with its shrinking influence in the world.