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  • The Third Man

  • Life at the Heart of New Labour
  • By: Peter Mandelson
  • Narrated by: Peter Mandelson
  • Length: 5 hrs and 49 mins
  • 4.1 out of 5 stars (198 ratings)
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The Third Man cover art

The Third Man

By: Peter Mandelson
Narrated by: Peter Mandelson
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Summary

Peter Mandelson is one of the most influential politicians of modern times. The Third Man is his story – of a life played out in the backroom and then on the frontline of the Labour Party during its unprecedented three terms in government.

Much of the book is devoted to the defining political relationships of Peter Mandelson’s life – with Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. Charting what he terms the ‘soap-opera’ years of the Labour government, his book is certain to ruffle many feathers.

Forced to resign from the Cabinet twice in three years, Peter Mandelson has cut a divisive figure through British politics, but his time as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland gained him many supporters. He was a highly regarded European Commissioner before being brought back into British politics by Gordon Brown in 2008 to serve as Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, and as First Secretary.

Containing a mixture of autobiography, personal reflection, and political history, The Third Man draws heavily on detailed diary notes that Peter Mandelson took during the events, discussions, and meetings that shaped the government and the Labour Party over 25 years. He began writing the book while serving as European Commissioner, and has been completing it since leaving office in May.

Much has been written about Peter Mandelson as the person at the heart of the New Labour project, but this is the first time we have heard the unvarnished truth from the man himself. The Third Man is set to become the most talked about political memoir of the year.

©2010 HarperCollins Publishers (P)2010 HarperCollins Publishers

What listeners say about The Third Man

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

egos and ambitions

If you like politics you will love this. What a fascinating insight into our last government and the way egos and ambitions drive behavior.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Doesn't add much

I think if this is a subject that interests you, you are better off reading Tony Blair's 'A Journey', it is much more detailed and more thoughtful. PM is more concerned with saying 'I was (really) there, and I was (really) pretty important, and I actually did (really) have influence.' As with most myths the reality is more banal. Less ghastly and less Machiavellian than the myths and media would have you believe.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The Third Musketeer

A really incisive read, honest, articulate and non sentimental. A misunderstood and underestimated backroom mastermind

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

The Third Man

Highly recommended for all political historians it gives a real insight into the man and also the key players within new labour.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Superb insight

Very interesting new perspective of the relationships in New Labour and only disappointing feature is that it is too short.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Audiobook

This was a pleasure to listen to- It was a real insight to how the genius worked to establish New Labour.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Different to the book

Way shorter than the book so couldn’t follow in story In full
But great story

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

The Third Man

This book was brilliantly written and read and it made me feel like a fourth man it was so engrossing. I have never listened to a political book before and this one has been a great first.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Tepid and Over Blown

This book is not as revelatory as the publishers would have us believe. I certainly did not hear any thing that has not been reported on in the main stream press over the last ten years or so. Blair and Brown did not get on! What a shocker! Gordon hated Peter! Dear me! Mandelson reads it well, but you would be better off buying Blair's memoirs which are more in depth and revealing.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Really enjoyed the book

I thought this book gave a great overview of the internal struggles within the Labour Party. Whilst I appreciate peter is able to put an eloquent spin on the story, it was a very enjoyable insight.

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