This volume puts forward the simple premise that during the Margaret Thatcher premiership Britain came to be greatly transformed, mostly for the better and mostly by Britain pulling herself up by her own bootstraps. Future historians will identify a distinct 'Thatcher Era' marking a decisive turning point in the country's history. Whether by accident, default or design, the origins of this political and economic transformation may have been obscured or even erased. The contributors to this volume correct the denial of history, and establish beyond doubt that the Thatcher Era altered British political and economic reality permanently. Aiming to get a precise grip on the facts, exploding myths about what happened and how it came to happen, they look back in a new way on the premiership of one of Britain's most famous Prime Ministers. Each chapter is an original contribution that stands independently of the others. With authors from politics, academia and journalism, this book will provide the basis for a new, coherent and well-informed public discussion on many issues of importance for Britain's future. This new edition now includes an introductory essay by Peregrine Worsthorne situating Margaret Thatcher as a statesman in an historical perspective.