Shirley Williams: The Biography

Mark Peel, an experienced biographer, offers fresh insights into Shirley Williams’s public and private lives in a readable and perceptive account. He explains both her long-lasting popular appeal and also why she did not achieve more as a minister and politician. –Rt Hon. Peter Riddell CBE, Director of the Institute for Government

Nearly everyone possessing an interest in British politics has a certain idea of Shirley Williams a constant and distinctive presence in public life for half a century. They will know her far better once they have finished Mark Peel’s fascinating, fine and sensitive biography. –Lord Hennessy, Attlee Professor of Contemporary British History

[An] Admirable autobiography. –Choice

Mark Peel is a sensitive biographer, and this book is very good on the woman behind the public façade and the dilemmas she faced, not only as a mother and a wife, but also as a politician, and why she has never quite achieved what was expected of her –The Good Book Guide

The author recounts a life which began in the shadow of her parents…and which proceeded through the bear pit of British politics while still maintaining her humanity. –Cheshire Life

Mark Peel organises his serviceable authorised biography of Shirley Williams around an ostensible conundrum. –London Review of Books

Mark Peel is a sensitive biographer, and this book is very good on the woman behind the public façade and the dilemmas she faced, not only as a mother and a wife, but also as a politician, and why she has never quite achieved what was expected of her –The Good Book Guide

Mark Peel’s biography of Shirley Williams is sympathetic, well written and well researched. –The New Statesman

Mark Peel is a sensitive biographer, and this book is very good on the woman behind the public façade and the dilemmas she faced, not only as a mother and a wife, but also as a politician, and why she has never quite achieved what was expected of her –The Good Book Guide