The Neville Chamberlain Diary Letters: Volume 2: The Reform Years, 1921-27 / Edition 1

by Robert Self

Overview

As a primary source of historical evidence and insight, it is difficult to overstate the value and importance of Neville Chamberlain's diary letters to his sisters. They represent the most complete and illuminating 'insider' record of British politics between the wars yet to be published. From 1915 Chamberlain wrote detailed weekly epistles to his sisters until his death in 1940; a confidential account of events covering the quarter of a century during which he stood at the very centre of Conservative and national politics. Beyond the fascination of the historical record of people and events, these letters are extremely valuable for the remarkable light they throw upon the personality and character of the private man lurking behind the austerely forbidding public persona.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781840146929
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	12/31/2000
Pages:	472
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements, Editor’s Note , List of Abbreviations, 1 Introduction – Neville Chamberlain – 1921–27: The Reform Years, 2 1921 – ‘To Speculate on Austen’s Position’: Backbench Frustrations and Disappointments, 3 1922 – ‘I Should Like to be Rid of the Goat’: Decline and Fall of the Coalition, 4 1923 – ‘Things Change so Quickly in Politics’: Postmaster-General, Health, the Treasury and Defeat, 5 1924 – ‘Lord! Lord! What a Funny World’: Opposition and the ‘New Conservatism’, 6 1925 – ‘I Might be a Great Minister of Health’: Pensions, Rating and Valuation, 7 1926 – ‘I am an Asset … of the Government’ West Ham, the Coal Dispute and Rural Housing, 8 1927 – ‘Everything is Going Wrong this Session’ Slums and the Frustrations of Poor Law Reform, Appendix I: The Chamberlain Household and Family, Appendix II: Primary Sources Consulted for Volume Two, Index

Editorial Reviews

'All in all, this is a superb edition of the letters, which invites eager anticipation of the final volume, and of the biography which must surely follow on the basis of Self's excellent introductions.' History 'The products of Self's thoughtful editing are indispensable to the student of politics and society in this period. These are a primary sources of great value. Albion 'There can be no doubt that all University Libraries should purchase the four-volume set...' Cercles

From the Publisher