Jacques Chirac

by Alan Allport

Published 1 January 2007
For more than 40 years, Jacques Chirac has been at the center of French political life. ""The Bulldozer,"" as he is known, has served in every major office of the French state, from mayor of Paris and prime minister to the presidency, which he has held since 1995. His influence in the history of modern France is surpassed only by Charles de Gaulle. But despite this impressive record, Chirac has in recent years become a controversial figure, beset by corruption scandals and political crises. As his administration struggles to deal with the problems of high unemployment, social strife, tensions over immigration, and the future of the European Union, the French are asking: Has the aging Chirac finally lost the political skills that served him so well in the past? This new book is a useful learning tool that clearly examines the complex issues and questions surrounding Chirac and his policies.

Gordon Brown

by Alan Allport

Published 30 April 2009
For a decade, Gordon Brown was British Prime Minister Tony Blair's right-hand man - the 'Iron Chancellor' who piloted the British economy through years of growth and prosperity. But behind the scenes, a bitter power struggle between the two men was rocking the foundations of the governing Labour Party. In 2007, Blair resigned, and Brown, at last, had his chance at the top job. In taking over as the Queen's First Minister, however, he had to deal with the mixed legacy left by his former boss, including Blair's controversial support for U.S. President George W. Bush's war in Iraq. ""Gordon Brown"" examines his journey from a remote Scottish parsonage to 10 Downing Street, and looks at the starkly different way Brown approaches politics compared to his more charismatic predecessor.