The Neville Chamberlain Diary Letters: Volume 3: The Heir Apparent, 1928-33 / 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:	9781840146936
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	11/19/2002
Pages:	464
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, 1928–33: The Heir Apparent, 2 1928 – ‘Winston’s Plan … Changes Like a Kaleidoscope’: Derating and the Battle for Local Government Reform, 3 1929 – ‘There is no Certainty in Politics’: Legislative Triumph and Electoral Defeat, 4 1930 – ‘No Confidence is Felt in S.B.’: Baldwin, Beaverbrook and the Empire Crusade, 5 1931 – ‘Well, Well, it’s a Funny World’: Financial Crisis and the National Government, 6 1932 – ‘A Very Momentous Year’: The Tariff, Lausanne and Ottawa, 7 1933 – ‘Few Chancellors Have Had a More Difficult Task’: The Riddle of War Debts and Unemployment Insurance Reform, Appendix I: The Chamberlain Household and Family, Appendix II: Primary Sources Consulted for Volume Three, 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