Written by Francis Beckett, David Hencke and Nick Kochan. Published by John Blake. Hardback edition £20.
There is a lot to know about Tony Blair and his associates and much research has been done to compile this up to date review of his enterprises and work in the present day. The three writers have produced a strong account of many different companies and many different countries which Blair “manages” in some way or other. Mention of people like Peter Mandelson and with photographs of Blair with his wife and family, with Heads of State and meeting The Pope, make it more palatable and tangible as Blair’s life in a way is “other worldly” and not commensurate with that of past Prime Ministers – unless they, for some reason, kept their activities post leadership far more quiet – with the obvious cooperation of the media and the “powers that be”. To that extent we are treated to a luxuriously detailed story of his life in sixteen fact packed chapters. At one time on the side of the American sphere of influence in the Middle East and asking for funding for his enterprises, at another time more in line with Jewish objectives, he is compared with Peter Mandleson who is worth a vast amount of money, like Blair, and who apparently works more with the Russian contingent. However Blair has networked with Kazakhstan and shown interest in the human rights issues which have occurred there. One thing that Blair is is mercurial, and the writers describe him as “an international outsourcing company”. His public speaking has earned him £9 million, his charge for one lecture being around £200,000. One of his detractors quoted in “The Gold Plated Prison” – the final chapter of the book says this of him “I think Blair is now a very sad man. Rich but (he) betrayed everything the Labour Party was about” – Greg Dyke.
To summarise, Blair rules his business empire with ironclad anonymity contracts. The three top authors have penetrated his veil of secrecy (there is a bibliography at the back of the book) to expose the venal dealings of his global empire. The book is packed with fascinating facts and political gossip which makes it a page turner. His own autobiography – A Journey was a huge bestseller. Time will tell if “Blair Inc” attracts the same amount of devoted admirers as well as opponents or detractors who want to know more about this enigmatic entrepreneur who is constantly making new moves behind the scenes politically and in business rather than retiring on a pension and fading into obscurity.
Penny Nair Price