Modern British Prime Ministers from Balfour to Johnson

Dick Leonard was a journalist, historian and Member of Parliament. He spent the last two decades writing biographies of all the British Prime Ministers from Walpole to Johnson. He was Assistant Editor of The Economist for 12 years, and also worked for The Observer , the BBC, and the Fabian Society. There is a detailed description of Dick Leonard’s work, life and legacy available at www.markleonard.eu/dickleonard

• Introduction 1. Arthur Balfour: Bob’s your Uncle 2. Henry Campbell-Bannerman: "a good, honest Scotchman" 3. H. H. Asquith: Not quite in the Gladstone mould 4. David Lloyd George: "a dynamic force" 5. Andrew Bonar Law: Tory Puritan 6. Stanley Baldwin: "a man of the most utter insignificance"? 7. Ramsay MacDonald: An ‘aristocrat’ among plain men? 8. Neville Chamberlain: A family affair 9. Winston Churchill: His Finest Hour 10. Clement Attlee: Quiet Revolutionary 11. Anthony Eden: Self-destruction of a Prince Charming 12. Harold Macmillan: Idealist into Manipulator 13. Alec Douglas-Home: Right man, wrong Century? 14. Harold Wilson: Master - or victim - of the short term 15. Edward Heath: Cheerleader for Europe 16. James Callaghan: Labour's conservative 17. Margaret Thatcher: Grocer’s daughter to Iron Lady 18. John Major: "Thatcherism with a human face" 19. Tony Blair: Fallen idol 20. Gordon Brown: Dominant Chancellor, uncertain Premier 21. David Cameron: The accidental architect of Brexit 22. Theresa May: "a bloody difficult woman"? 23. Boris Johnson: Statesman or Buffoon?

"Dick Leonard is the doyen of the history of British premiership. No one has his grasp of the lives and records of the men and two women who have been Prime Minister. This book is a unique source of illumination and delight."Anthony Seldon, Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Buckingham, UK."A great resource for students, scholars and the general public alike. It contains essential information on the prime ministers as leaders but also as people: how they ended up in the role, their character, achievements and weaknesses … as well as providing fascinating insights into the broader political issues of their time."Oliver Daddow, University of Nottingham, UK"Dick Leonard's book on British Prime Ministers is an excellent account of the changing role of the premiership in UK politics, and the twists and turns of political life. The book is of great interest to the general reader, but also a fantastic undergraduate and postgraduate teaching resource."Patrick Diamond, Queen Mary, University of London, UK"A terrific read and also a major contribution to public debate."David Marquand, University of Oxford, UK