Rating: 
Summary: Ironing things out
Review:
In this brilliant book, Thatcher discusses the state of the world at the start of the 21st century and the way forward, drawing on her considerable experience and keen insights. Chapter One: cold war reflections, touches on many subjects from the information revolution to the victory of the West in the cold war. Chapter Two looks at the American achievement including the concept of a unipolar world, military preparedness, defence technologies and missile defence.
Chapter Three deals with Russia, the legacy of communism, the role of the IMF, the failed economic reforms, the country's relations with its former Soviet colonies and what remains of its military power. Part One of Chapter Four explains why Asia, with half of the world's population and a third of all dry land, matters so much. Part Two deals with the Tigers: Singapore, South Korea and Indonesia, whilst Part Three is devoted to Japan. The next chapter, Asian Giants, deals with China (including Taiwan and Hong Kong) and India.
In Chapter Six, rogue states, religion and terrorism are discussed, with particular reference to North Korea, Islam, Iraq, Syria, Lybia and Iran. In Chapter Seven, Thatcher discusses human rights, genocide, the Yugoslavia and Rwanda criminal tribunals, the international criminal court and European court of human rights.
Chapter Eight investigates the Balkan wars whilst Chapter Nine is devoted to the European Union. Thatcher investigates the roots of the European idea, the European economic and social model, the pensions crisis, the common agricultural policy, the Euro currency as a means towards a superstate and the bureaucratic, anti-democratic nature of the EU.
Thatcher warns against the creeping loss of sovereignty to unaccountable EU bureaucrats who have only contempt for democracy. The next chapter looks at the current situation of the UK by investigating all the options of how her country might extricate itself from this mess. She advises Britain to stick to the Pound and to renegotiate the structure of the EU.
The last chapter strikes a devastating blow to the critics of capitalism by illustrating how well the free economies have been performing as opposed to the shackled economies of the remaining authoritarian regimes. She also dissects the absurdities of the global warming scare and discusses globalism and its enemies.
The postscript deals with accountability and the Magna Carta in a delightful description of Thatcher and her husband's visit to the memorial at Runnymede. She concludes the book with the observation that the political culture of the English-speaking peoples has given the world the ideas that power should be limited, force should not overrule justice plus the conviction that individuals have an absolute moral worth.
There are 20 full color potgraphs, 13 maps and 8 tables that enhances this highly readable and illuminating text. Bibliographic references are scattered throughout and the book concludes with a thorough index.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting factually and as a personal statement
Review: A smoothly flowing, well written book; full of interesting facts and opinion; obviously, coming from a former UK prime minister, it's worth while. At the same time, it's frequently unobjective, propagandist even -- I found myself disagreeing with many things, and I don't mean just opinions of the author (who am I to argue that), but with views, perspective on more factual, supposedly obvious, axiomatic things. Nevertheless, despite the prejudices showing through (and perhaps, even due to them -- in part) the book is an excellent, worthy read for anyone not entirely indifferent to the recent world history, politics, and diplomacy.One *very* annoying defect of this book is it's lack of the bibliography section. It's a second British book I see arranged in such a way, perhaps it's the way they do it there -- references are mentioned in a foot-note when used first, then simply repeated w/o the full bibliographical information; what a nasty custom that is! If you want to find something, you have to page frantically, searching again and again for the place where a source of interest happened to be used first. How much better to compile all sources in one place, at the end of the book, so they're easy to find. That aside, "Statecraft" is a good book for the appropriately inquisitive.
Rating:
Summary: A Truly Great Book
Review: Baroness Thatcher is a great, Christian lady whose name is sopken of approvingly wherever liberty is loved, and who is cursed by enemies of freedom everywhere (such as in the Labour Party, the Guardian and unions.) She offered Britain the chance of greatness, fighting for us at home and abroad, not afraid to show tough love when needed, bringing freedom to those sick of being dictated to by unions. In addition, she protected the nation's children from radical feminist indoctrination and homosexual propaganda, by courageously promoting Section 28 against the fury of left-wingers and other sick corrupters of our nation's youth. I pray that we will be blessed with more insights from the mind of Thatcher, and that she will continue to promote moral, Christian leadership.
Rating:
Summary: You'll Love to Disagree With Her...
Review: Even if you disagree with Thatcher's views, you shouldn't miss this book reflecting her usual witty, tough and cynical style...
Rating:
Summary: Thinking Person's Guide To The World
Review: For those interested in ideas backed by multiple precise reasons, this is a book to read. Margaret Thatcher clearly shows the depth of her intellect in this book. The subject is the world, its future, and her thoughts on how to handle the rough seas ahead. I didn't always agree with her conclusions, but I admired her ability and willingness to back each of her points with a matrix of considerations. Most people want to pontificate bland decrees which are presumed to stand on their own (because the pontificator deigns to speak), but Mrs. Thatcher (I am not a monarchist nor admirer of titled gentry) cares enough to not only proclaim what she believes, but to provide her ideas with a foundation of ideas.
Rating: 
Summary: not worth the money
Review: I bought the book because of its title 'statecraft' and of the generally warm reviews here on amazon.com. the book is not about any '-craft'. there is no strategic thinking in the arguments other than some skin-deep self interest and some reflection toward world affairs. I wonder now how she made her judgements when she was the prime minister of britain. I wish the current world leaders are at higher caliber than this. I know it is just wishful thinking. the tone of the writing is boring and obnoxious. The bottom line: i want my money back!
Rating:
Summary: Reminding Us of the Lessons We've Learned
Review: I found it fascinating while reading this book, to compare the challenges and ultimately our victory during the Cold War and the current War on Terrorism. In both cases the clash is one of ideologies, and once again we find the freedom loving West, which respects the rights of the Individual, up against an enemy that doesn't respect freedom, nor give a [care]about the individual. Once again we find ourselves up against a clash of cultures and styles. The lessons learned from the Cold War should be remembered and reapplied. Strength is what frightens these militant hoodlums, since at heart they are nothing but a mobster mafia using fear to keep their puppets in line. Lady Thatcher is clear in her prose, at times witty; and objective in her statements. Her thesis boils down to this: it is freedom of association, the right to own property and to stake a claim in the product of one's efforts that are supreme, and that is what makes the West morally superior. Eliminating the State is not required, when people are free to act of their own free will. At the same time, let us not make the mistakes of the Nixon/Ford/Carter era, which is to appease these militants in hopes that kindness will warm their chilly hearts. Their aim is to enslave, torture and to kill us. We as individual citizens, have a right to protection from these villians. And our States must make that very, very, clear.
Rating:
Summary: Genius At Work
Review: I must admit that during her service as Prime Minister Ms. Thatcher and I found ourselves at odds on many issues. However this perspective and world view has been one of the most enlightening accounts that it has been my pleasure to read. This is a segmented book in terms of examining various areas of the world and how they exist and relate to Britain and America. It is readily accessible to both the general reader and academic. Her insights into the character and motivations of the leaders of the past twenty years are irreplaceable and her sense of humor is exhibited throughout the account. The section that I found most interesting concerned Asia and in particular the situation which exists in China. President Nixon is often credited with having the most perfect insight into that still relatively closed society, but Ms. Thatcher has definitely exceeded him here. As she has so deftly exceeded in her analysis of so many nations and cultures. This is not and I repeat not a partisan account. It is clear-eyed and to the point. She does bring some of her perspectives to this, but this is not about politics, the Cold War or East versus West. I would commend this one to anyone interested in foreign affairs. In fact it is the best book I have read about the current world situation. It is chock full of maps and easy to read reports. And if I were teaching a course in current world history this would be my text. Ms. Thatcher is an untapped resource in world affairs and I hope she continues to write. She has so much to offer.
Rating:
Summary: Genius At Work
Review: I must admit that during her service as Prime Minister Ms. Thatcher and I found ourselves at odds on many issues. However this perspective and world view has been one of the most enlightening accounts that it has been my pleasure to read. This is a segmented book in terms of examining various areas of the world and how they exist and relate to Britain and America. It is readily accessible to both the general reader and academic. Her insights into the character and motivations of the leaders of the past twenty years are irreplaceable and her sense of humor is exhibited throughout the account. The section that I found most interesting concerned Asia and in particular the situation which exists in China. President Nixon is often credited with having the most perfect insight into that still relatively closed society, but Ms. Thatcher has definitely exceeded him here. As she has so deftly exceeded in her analysis of so many nations and cultures. This is not and I repeat not a partisan account. It is clear-eyed and to the point. She does bring some of her perspectives to this, but this is not about politics, the Cold War or East versus West. I would commend this one to anyone interested in foreign affairs. In fact it is the best book I have read about the current world situation. It is chock full of maps and easy to read reports. And if I were teaching a course in current world history this would be my text. Ms. Thatcher is an untapped resource in world affairs and I hope she continues to write. She has so much to offer.
Rating:
Summary: Unvarnished Thatcherism
Review: In this lengthy and comprehensive yet highly readable volume, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher lays out her vision for global policies for the new century. Since her book is about the future, Lady Thatcher takes us on a tour of the globe, describing the various regions of the world, and their issues: We should try and incorporate China into the global community, but keep firm limits on them as well. Japan will reform its economy when they are ready, not when we want them to. We should continue to take a hard-line against rogue states, like Saddam Hussein's Iraq. Thatcher also warns against a Euro superstate, and urges Britain to distance themselves from the continent. She also makes a strong call for the United States to build a missile shield, while keeping the military strong, both monetarily and morally. This includes resisting calls for placing women in combat. In one of the more memorable passages in the book, Thatcher declares that "we women are better at wielding the handbag than the bayounet." But this book is also about the past. Thatcher declares that the West smashed Communism, and is proud of her role in aiding the U.S. and particularly Ronald Reagan (to whom the book is dedicated) in that effort. But above all, this book is about ideology, particularly Thatcher's unabashed and unashamed conservatism. Conservatives value freedom, while Liberals value equality. But according to Thatcher, individuals differs in talents and ability, leading to unequal outcomes. All attempts to limit unequal outcomes necessarily involve limiting freedom, and in doing so, stifles creativity and economic gain. Capitalism itself is neither good nor bad; It is how we go about pursuing it that determines its morality. Conservatives also value nationalism as an important asset despite its flaws, and Thatcher calls herself a proud patriot, and resists all attempts to undermine state sovereignty, including the detention of General Pinochet in Britain. In sum, Lady Thatcher has written a towering work, one with implications for the future, with insights on the past, and with philosophy at its root. Anyone interested in world affairs should read this book. Even those who disagree with her prescriptions cannot deny that she lays ourt her argument cogently and effectively.
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