All in a Life

Garret FitzGerald is an economist, statistician, journalist, barrister, historian and politician who was twice Taoiseach of Ireland in the 1980s. This autobiography of an Irish Prime Minister includes political recollection and the story of the author's private life, including his marriage. The son of a Catholic father and a Protestant mother, his background bred in him a deep commitment to reconciliation in Ireland. He first entered politics while still a university lecturer in economics, having already established himself as a formidable advocate of social reform and modern economic thinking in Ireland. While he was an important figure in the growth and consolidation of the European Community it was Northern Ireland, however, which most engaged Garrett FitzGerlad's political and personal concern. This book includes his full account of the New Ireland Forum and of the complex negotiations for the Anglo-Irish Agreement of 1985 and he writes of the most significant diplomatic achievements of his career. He describes, in detail, his relations with numerous British political figures during the time and notes their personal characteristics and style.