Simon Heffer

The boy done bad

issue 12 November 2005

One of Sir Mark Thatcher’s friends once told him he was ‘born guilty’. Many, including the two authors of this book, would contend that he has done his best to live up to his billing. Apparently, in moments of persecution, he has taken to quoting this observation about himself in the most rueful of tones. If he can bring himself to read this book he will feel far more persecuted by the end of it.

The authors are unquestionably experienced investigative journalists, with various scalps to their name. They are suited to their subject remarkably well, in that their style and approach are almost as unattractive as they claim their subject to be. Their work reads like an extended Sunday-newspaper article, incisive and detailed, certainly, but long-winded, charm-free, humourless, self-righteous and dripping in malevolence.

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