A strong and sometimes divisive figure in British and world politics, Margaret Thatcher was the longest-serving British Prime Minister in the 20th century and the only woman to ever hold the office. Drawing from an abundance of new, previously unpublished material from the Thatcher Archive at Churchill College, Cambridge, Jonathan Aitken's fresh and original biography is a lively and perceptive exploration of the personality that dominated Conservative British politics for more than 10 years and her profound and worldwide impact on the historical tapestry of her time. Aitken spent forty years with Thatcher, some of it as a member of her cabinet, and much of the time as a close family friend. This book is the nearest anyone has come to date to understanding her psychology and her unique capacity to exercise power. At once positive and critical in its assessment of her governance, "Margaret Thatcher: Power and Personality" is crafted from the author's longtime personal relationship with his subject, his eyewitness account of public and private episodes in her life, and more than 100 interviews with the former Prime Minister's political colleagues and close personal friends. Penetrating and insightful, it chronicles one of the most remarkable political lives of our time.

The early years -- The War, grammar school, and fighting her headmistress -- Oxford, boyfriends, and political ambition -- First steps in politics -- Marriage, motherhood, and Finchley -- First years in Parliament, 1959-1964 -- Front-bench opposition -- Secretary of State for Education -- Health on the ropes -- Winning the leadership -- Leader of the Opposition: a fragile beginning -- Three frustrating years -- Last lap to the election -- The final ascent to No. 10 -- First moves as Prime Minister -- The learning curve -- First steps in foreign affairs -- Storm clouds on the economy and in the Cabinet -- The Falklands War I: the prelude -- The Falklands War II: into the fighting -- The Falklands War III: victory -- After the Falklands -- Stumbling into the second term -- Terrorism, Ireland, and Hong Kong -- Battling for Britain in Saudi Arabia -- Unions and miners -- Strengthening the special relationship with Ronald Reagan -- Starting to win the Cold War - -Rumblings of discontent -- Into the third term -- Trouble with Nigel Lawson -- Swinging towards Euroscepticism -- Boiling over on Europe -- Exit the Chancellor, enter the stalking horse -- Countdown to the coup -- End game -- Exit -- The agony after the fall -- Snapshots of her retirement years -- Epilogue.