{"product_id":"the-british-general-election-of-1987-detailed-election-study","title":"The British General Election of 1987 - Detailed Election Study","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of The British General Election of 1987, the bottom line is clear: this book is essential for readers seeking a thorough, scholarly account of how Margaret Thatcher secured a third term and how the party system and campaigns adapted. The authors, David Butler and Dennis Kavanagh, present a calm, evidence-driven narrative that situates the Conservative victory in recent history and social change while explaining campaign techniques and strategic choices. This review highlights why the book is most valuable to students, historians and politically engaged readers wanting a focused post-election analysis rather than a breezy popular history.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDetailed historical context:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book traces the roots of the Conservative victory in recent history and social changes, helping readers understand long-term forces behind the result.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCampaign analysis:\u003c\/strong\u003e It documents a new level of campaigning professionalism, offering insight into tactics and presentation that shaped outcomes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eParty system examination:\u003c\/strong\u003e The authors explore how the Conservative, Labour and Alliance strategies interacted, clarifying shifts in electoral competition.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocus on leadership moments:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book assesses key events, including how Mrs Thatcher recovered after the Westland controversy, to explain leadership impact on voters.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeries continuity:\u003c\/strong\u003e As the thirteenth volume in a series covering every postwar election, it benefits from consistent methodology and comparative perspective.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis book is aimed at students of British politics, historians of the late 20th century and political researchers who want a focused, evidence-based account of the 1987 election and its causes. The measured, analytical tone and series context make it especially useful for academic reading lists and anyone researching campaign tactics or party adaptation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eReaders seeking a lightweight, anecdotal or highly partisan account should look elsewhere; this volume prioritizes analysis and explanation over sensational storytelling. It is not a pictorial coffee-table book or a memoir, and those audiences may find its scholarly approach too restrained.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComprehensive contextual analysis that situates the 1987 result within recent social change.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClose examination of campaign professionalism that will interest students of political communication.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBalanced treatment of Conservative, Labour and Alliance strategies, useful for comparative study.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eThe academic tone may feel dense to casual readers seeking a lively narrative.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe British General Election of 1987\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDavid Butler, Dennis Kavanagh\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeries position\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThirteenth volume covering postwar elections\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMain focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eConservative victory and campaign professionalism\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKey events covered\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThatcher third term and Westland controversy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject areas\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBritish politics, elections, party systems\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe British General Election of 1987 is a disciplined, well-sourced study that rewards readers who want analytical depth on campaign strategy and party adaptation. It is good value for students and researchers because it combines narrative explanation with comparative series methodology, though casual readers seeking light reading may prefer a different style.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book cover the Westland affair?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The authors discuss how Mrs Thatcher and her party navigated the Westland controversy and how it affected the campaign.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this volume part of a series?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. It is the thirteenth in a series that has covered every British general election since the Second World War.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho would benefit most from this book?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStudents, historians and political researchers will gain the most from its detailed, evidence-based analysis.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"David Butler, Dennis Kavanagh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48767246074075,"sku":"0333467930","price":104.53,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/61jBo-ItjFL._SL1360.jpg?v=1778624567","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/the-british-general-election-of-1987-detailed-election-study","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}