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Product DescriptionIn a prequel toThe Downing Street Years, Thatcher describes her childhood, Oxford education, early entry into politics, and rise to power in Parliament, sharing insights into the influences that shaped her life and political career. 250,000 first printing. $200,000 ad/promo. Tour.From Library JournalFollowing The Downing Street Years (LJ 1/94), Thatcher reflects on her youth.Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.From BooklistPreviously, the retired British prime minister wrote--and wrote pugnaciously--about her long tenure in the premiership in The Downing Street Years (1993). Now Thatcher fills in, chronologically speaking, by writing about her life prior to becoming prime minister and after she left office and does so, perhaps, even more self-righteously. Born "over the shop" (her father's grocery, that is) in 1925 in Grantham, England, Thatcher was raised in a household "practical, serious and intensely religious." Those qualities became her qualities, and by the time she got to Oxford, she recognized politics as her calling. She threw her hat into the ring early, running for Parliament when only in her twenties. By nature conservative, she was by enlistment a Conservative. The path by which she became head of that party and then prime minister is traced in typical Thatcher fashion: her narrative is opinionated, self-assured, and, as the reader has to admit, well reasoned. Expect the same heavy demand by serious readers of politics and history as the first volume garnered.Brad HooperFrom the PublisherIn her international bestseller,The Downing Street Years, Margaret Thatcher provided an acclaimed account of her years as Prime Minister. This second volume reflects on the early years of her life and how they influenced her political career.From AudioFileMargaret Thatcher brilliantly narrates her own intriguing story, tracing her political career from her formative years as a student at Oxford to her seat of power as Britain's first female prime minister. Thatcher's intelligence is evident as she reveals her keen comprehension of politics. Her formal British accent affectionately softens as she reflects on childhood memories, as well as her roles as wife and mother. Thatcher's forthright manner reveals a multi-faceted human being capable of compassion, as well as courageous leadership in a male-dominated world. The listener will relish Lady Thatcher's perceptions and comments on controversial political issues. B.J.P. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine