Blair and his memoirs

Submitted by Adrian Gaskell MCMI on Thu, 02/09/2010 - 09:19

Tony Blair has released his memoirs recently and they've been predictably attracting a lot of attention. Do you think they're a good insight into his management of the country or are they tainted by the 'wise after the event' syndrome?

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Submitted by John Milburn CMgr MCMI on Thu, 02/09/2010 - 09:48 Profile image

They're probably more tainted by the fact that these are Blair's views and opinions of certain situations and may not reflect the full facts. After all how will we know? Also to sell books you have to be slightly controversial and opinionated which may be a factor as well.

I still want to read it though!

Submitted by Mike Davies on Fri, 03/09/2010 - 13:28

From what I've seen of it in excerpts he seems to have done a remarkable job of appearing to own up to mistakes, whilst at the same time pinning the blame for them on other people. Gordon Brown is a hard man to feel sorry for but I can't help feeling so after Blair seems to blame him for the entire debacle of the countries finances.

Submitted by Samantha Godley MCMI on Fri, 03/09/2010 - 15:42 Profile image

Funnily enough I saw his book in WHSmiths, at half price and nearly bought it!

Would be interesting to see what he has to say....next time I am in town I'll get it.

Submitted by Thomas Doran CMgr FCMI on Fri, 10/09/2010 - 14:35 Profile image

Just bought it for £12:99. Am looking forward to reading it.

Submitted by John Milburn CMgr MCMI on Fri, 10/09/2010 - 15:49 Profile image

I went to the bookshop this afternoon to buy it but it's so heavy! I really don't fancy lugging it backwards and forwards to work every day so I might wait until it comes out in paperback!

Submitted by Mike Davies on Wed, 10/11/2010 - 10:03

Anyone going to read Bush's memoirs? I'm not sure even his memoirs could make him sound wise after the event!!

Submitted by John Morgan FCMI on Wed, 10/11/2010 - 11:05

I have not bought the book, I find it offensive that he is quite blatantly milking the money making machine to capitalise on his time in office. It is my view that such books, biographies what ever, are able to be released so close to his time of leaving office and should not be permitted for any individual for perhaps 10-30 years. After all many cabinet papers are kept secret for those sorts of time frames.

Also how much more is he going to reveal in such a book that we, who have had to live through the repercussions of his actions/decisions, have not witnessed with our own eyes. Surely his greatest quality has always to put the most positive of spin on to all his actions anyway.

To sum up - a money making scheme rather than a reflective learning opportunity, and now we have George W on the same trail, how much have they colluded to keep the story line consistent!!!

Submitted by Mike Davies on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 11:10

I agree with you John, these guys are just profiteering from their time in office, but it's sadly common these days, be it through a book or expensive lecture tours.

Submitted by Keith Turnbull MCMI on Thu, 11/11/2010 - 11:30

I've read Blair's book and getting Bush's recent release. Blair - I can't help but think that he will know things about "decision's" that we can (and in my view should not) really know. I think the book get's over fairly well that he tried to make the right decisions. (Not saying he did but that he tried to).

If GW's effort is as open and a real attempt at honesty then it will be a good read also.

Submitted by Mike Davies on Fri, 12/11/2010 - 10:45

Review of the Bush book here on BusinessWeek

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_47/b4204100259818.htm

2/5 lol