BBC Archive Voices: Margaret Thatcher - Interviews 1975 - 1990 is part of the BBC Archive Voices series from AudioGO, which presents interviews with key figures in the fields of entertainment, sport, politics and literature. Selected from the archives of BBC radio and television broadcasting, they offer a chance to hear compelling conversations from years ago. Some of the most lively, entertaining and informative encounters in BBC broadcasting, many of these interviews have not been heard since their original transmission...

In interviews ranging from 1975 to 1990, Margaret Thatcher talks about being a woman in politics; managing men and women; her response to the media attacks she received in the early days of her career, and the importance of wearing the right clothes. She also recalls her memories of home, including working in her father’s grocery shop; the radio and TV programmes she enjoyed (including The Two Ronnies) and following sports like cricket and tennis. Also mentioned are the time she met her husband Denis; her worries about her son Mark when he went missing in the Sahara desert; her interest in science, and her love of porcelain and sculpture. Lastly, she discusses her stamina and her worst moment as Prime Minister (during the Falklands War).

What's fascinating about this audio release is that while everyone has an opinion on Margaret Thatcher's time as British Prime Minister, most probably won't know much about her personal life. Here, through various interviews, we get a glimpse of the woman outside of politics. None of the interview tackle politics head on, or allow Thatcher a platform to promote her political views, instead we learn about her pleasures in life as well as how she spends Christmas Day.

Of all the releases in this series, this is one of the more interesting and gives listeners an insight into one of the most important figures in 20th Century British history.

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Nick Smithson