"The significance of Stanley Baldwin (1867-1947) is self evident. As Conservative party leader and three times prime minister, he was at the heart of most of the great political debates and national events of interwar Britain." "This edition contains a selection of Baldwin's letters, reports of his conversations, related documents and illustrations, with an extensive commentary. It has two main purposes. The first is to publish important documents on Conservative and ministerial politics, as perceived and practised by their leader. These deal with major issues and episodes from the destruction of the Lloyd George Coalition to the Abdication, and relationships among leading politicians and other public figures, notably Churchill, the Chamberlains, press controllers and three kings. Less explicit but of equal importance is considerable evidence on the environments, routines, courtesies and culture of high political society." "The second purpose of this edition is to provide a documentary account of Baldwin himself, revealing in his own words his circumstances, personality, beliefs, friendships and enmities. These sources on national politics and the prime minister will make this edition indispensable for studies of public life in interwar Britain."--BOOK JACKET.