“Whatever the dangers of the action we take, the dangers of inaction are far, far greater.”
Tony Blair was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2007 and remains one of the most influential, controversial and defining political figures in recent history. His leadership coincided with events such as the Iraq War demonstrated the ways in which the world was evolving and modernising, and has become a source of intense debate and discussion. Whether it be his policies, charismatic approach to politics or the complex legacy he’s left behind in Britain and beyond, books about Tony Blair have become invaluable tools for understanding all the political strategies, personal ideologies and the lasting impression his leadership has had on history. So, whether you’re a political history buff or curious to learn more about the man behind the headlines, join us at What We Reading for the best Tony Blair books!
Tony Blair: Prime Minister – John Rentoul
Kicking off our list of the best books about Tony Blair is John Rentoul’s bestselling biography, Tony Blair: Prime Minister. Rentoul published his first biography on Tony Blair in 1995, coinciding with his election as the leader of the Labour Party. Barely two years later, Blair presided over one of the most historic landslide election wins in British history, and a true affirmation for the modernisers he represented.
Tony Blair: Prime Minister is a unique and fresh revisit of the former Labour leader, putting his government, policies and actions under the microscope. Rentoul attempts to establish whether the popularity that swept Blair into 10 Downing Street is still present, whether he delivered on his promises, and whether Britain became anything like the country he said he could make it. Tony Blair: Prime Minister comes with a wealth of new material, making it a fascinating character study for readers of Rentoul’s first work and first-timers alike!
Thirty Days: An Inside Account Of Tony Blair At War – Peter Stothard
Undoubtedly the most significant (and controversial) facet of Tony Blair’s legacy is his involvement in the Iraq War and the wider war on terror. In his book on Tony Blair, Thirty Days, Peter Stothard takes readers behind the scenes from Downing Street and the House of Commons to war summits in the Azores, Brussels, Belfast and Camp David to lift the lid on the extraordinary challenges Blair faced, and how he chose to overcome them.
Facing the most tense and tumultuous weeks the world had seen since the end of the Cold War, Stothard’s work examines how Blair faced a battle against his own voters, his party and even his own allies in Europe.
Blair & Iraq: Why Tony Blair Went To War: An Investigation – Steve Richards
Another one of the best books about Tony Blair and his involvement in the Iraq War, Blair & Iraq is a compelling and comprehensive investigation by award-winning columnist and broadcaster, Steve Richards. In it, he puts Blair and his leadership in the spotlight as the biggest driver to becoming embroiled in the Middle East. By relying on his ‘Third Way’, Richards shows how Blair found himself entangled in a nightmare of Shakespearean proportions.
Insightful and huge in its scope, Blair & Iraq is a comprehensive assessment of not only how the war in Iraq came to be, but also a fascinating character portrait of Tony Blair and how the lessons he learned during his ascent continued to drive his decisions even in power.
On Leadership: Lessons For The 21st Century – Tony Blair
Tony Blair is undeniably one of the most successful leaders in modern history. In his 2024 book, On Leadership, he offers readers one of the most exhaustive insights into leadership and good government. Having led the United Kingdom for ten years, Blair has travelled the world, witnessing how, whilst circumstance and context can differ, the challenges of governing hardly change wherever in the world you are.
Sharing a wealth of insights he learned firsthand and witnessed from other leaders across the globe, On Leadership is a non-partisan and practical guide to governing that takes it out of the political sphere and treats it as a skill and a science. Written in snappy chapters and full of examples from different political systems, it is one of the best Tony Blair books and a key resource in understanding how the former PM views the art of leadership.
The People V. Tony Blair: Politics, The Media And The Anti-War Movement – Chris Nineham
Whilst the Iraq War did go ahead, Chris Nineham’s The People v. Tony Blair is one of the best books for capturing the deep unpopularity of the conflict, and how the huge demonstrations against it nearly brought down Blair and forced Britain out of the war.
Based on interviews and insider accounts, Nineham’s work describes the panic inside Downing Street and desperation in Whitehall. Unapologetic in its controversy, The People v. Tony Blair is an invaluable resource about power, media and popular protest in the modern age, and how even a hostile media can be tamed when a movement becomes powerful enough.
Tony Blair: The Making Of A World Leader – Philip Stephens
First published in 2004, Tony Blair: The Making of a World Leader is a book by Financial Times editor, Philip Stephens. Having known Blair since the beginning of his career, Stephens charts his ascent from boyhood to the leader of the Labour Party and eventually Prime Minister, showcasing his beliefs, personality, shortcomings, contradictions and ultimately role in shaping a new international order.
Targeted specifically for American readers at the time who might not have been as familiar with the British Prime Minister as the War on Terror approached its peak, Stephens examines what Blair’s agendas were, whether his interests were selfish or noble, and how this charismatic young leader was able to keep strong ties with two polar opposite Presidents: Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.
March Of The Moderates: Bill Clinton, Tony Blair And The Rebirth Of Progressive Politics – Richard Carr
Anglo-American relations, aka. the famous ‘Special Relationship’, reached a new height with the rise of New Labour and the New Democrats in the late 1980s and 1990s. In his 2019 book about Tony Blair, March of the Moderates, Richard Carr reveals all about the transatlantic ‘Third Way’ by analysing how Blair and Bill Clinton both won power and how they ultimately lost it.
Utilising freshly unearthed archives and interviews with key players and strategists, his work is one of the most invaluable for understanding the mechanics and relationships of the two administrations. Carr also sheds new light on significant events such as the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland, the handover to Bush and the response to the Iraq War.
Broken Vows: Tony Blair The Tragedy Of Power – Tom Bower
When Tony Blair became Prime Minister in 1997, at forty-three, he was the youngest individual to hold that office since 1812. Blair’s landslide victory was one of the largest in British history, his approval stood at 93 per cent, and he remains Labour’s longest-serving prime minister to date. Yet, today, he is one of the most controversial and sometimes loathed figures in modern times.
With unprecedented access to more than 180 Whitehall officials, military figures and leading politicians, Tom Bower charts Tony Blair’s ten years in power. He follows Blair’s trail from resignation, examining how he has gone on to found a sprawling empire advising tycoons and tyrants alike. The end result is one of the best books about Tony Blair, an epic political thriller that illuminates the mysteries behind an extraordinary politician whose beliefs and legacy to fascinate to this day.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
