First Among Equals Mass Market Paperback – May 16, 2004

Jeffrey Archer is able to do something quite interesting here, he creates and atmosphere that is both intriguing and informative of the British parliamentary system. It focuses on the lives of four MP's as they rise through out the pantheons of government through a thirty-year period. There is the witty and charming Simon Kerslake, the inhibitive Andrew Fraser, the intelligent yet flawed Raymond Gould and finally the cold and Machiavellian Charles Seymour. All four of these men rise to high posts in the governments of Alec Douglas-Home, Harold Wilson, Edward Heath, James Callaghan and Margaret Thatcher. They become confidants of real life figures such as Queen Elizabeth and Neil Kinnock along with tackling the ever-real issues concerning Northern Ireland and the difficulties of running a national economy.By the last, half of the book one is left with the feeling that Archer provides us with this great cast and yet almost feels determined to ruin our view of them. Charles Seymour in particular, early on emerges as the cold and scheming political animal, one who sacrifices his life and his family to succeed in parliament. Nevertheless, by the end Archer reverses the portrait he has been painting all along and provides us with a different more, caring more sentimental figure, then the one we had come to know. The second half of the book draws upon quite a few cliché has in order to fill out the loose ends, which had long ago developed. Andrew Fraser's trouble of conscience and Kerslake's own economic woes, simply add to the trouble at hand. However, I did invariantly enjoy the little spin at the end of the final leadership race. I will admit that at first I didn't happen to like the character of Raymond Gould, but buy the end I was genuinely rooting for him, out of all the characters he seemed the only one truly competent to lead.All and all not a bad read, although flawed in some aspects. It surely should be a good way to knock off a few hours, while simultaneously learning of a different way of governance.

I found the book enjoyable but difficult to read in that I have little knowledge of the British political system. Thus it was difficult to follow at times and that’s why only four stars. The story itself gave an insight, I assume relatively accurate, into the way Parliament functions or doesn’t. The way business is conducted in the Commons is at times quite raucous and was somewhat surprising to me. The heated debates that occur in our legislature pales in comparison to what happens often in England.Although a long read I did find myself “joining forces” with one of the characters as the lives of four men played out. That in itself says the author did a good job of story telling even if I didn’t understand all the nuances of the story line. Brush up on your British political system and your sure to enjoy this book.

Since I am an avid Jeffrey Archer fan, I found this book, one of his earliest, not as suspenseful ashis later books. Usually I can't put his books down, this one I had no problem laying aside for a few days.

As usual, Archer books are well written page turners. That being said, while I enjoyed it, I am not knowledgeable about the political system. I found the political system in Great Britain very confusing and hard to follow. Always turning back to re-read . The story line was very good and I enjoyed it. Somethings i just didn't understand.

I picked up this book by chance. At first, it was hard to get into. But as it unfolded, it became very intriguing. It's definitely for those who like the intricacies of political fiction. Not for those who are inpatient as the development of the plot takes a while and if you are unfamiliar with English politics, it can get confusing. Unfortunately, readers today want something that they can get into quickly, and dispose of just as quick. This book is complex, makes you think, at times, even go back and re-read a page. I think it speaks volumes that it can still be a great read so long after it was written!

Good story, about four men from different surroundings whom are destined to do well in politics. The political setting and entourage makes the storymatter almost impossible to wade through. I actually skipped pages to leave the tedious British political system and incriminations behind me, hoping that the actual story would pick up again.A good read for people having difficulty to fall asleep. Sorry mr Archer, you are a great writer, but sometimes I could not see the story because of the political forest.

This was a fine oldie that is still a real page-turner, but was prevented from being an excellent trip into the past of Archer's fine work due to this Kidle format replete with errors. Two main characters had last names of Could which is the incorrect name. or Gould, the name in the paper book. Sometimes these characters, main players in this tale, were spelled both ways in the same paragraph. This Kindle error is inexcusable. Otherwise, I fully recommed this novel.

I have read many Jeffrey Archer books. I especially enjoyed the Clifton Chronicles. In this book it was difficult to keep track of the various characters and their stories. The ending was absurd. It seemed like is was written as an afterthought. Nothing in the story led to who the monarch was in the last chapter.

I read all of Jeffrey Archer’s books years ago in paperback and hardback and now I’m reading them once again on my Kindle. I thoroughly enjoyed this one again.Four MP’s have one goal in their parliamentary careers and that is to be leader of their party. This book takes each MP as they attempt to go for high office incorporating their colourful (in some cases) personal lives. There are plenty of twists and turns as you would expect from Archer’s books and they never leave me disappointed.

If you have not read any Jeffery Archer novels this is a great start. Great fictional characters worked into real life history with great effect. One can almost imagine that the story line Archer constructs actually happened. If you are a fan of English politics, enjoy the twists and turns of a great drama and like character driven stories this is for you but borrowing from the great man himself this is just “First Among Equals”

It would be untrue to say that i understand the world of politics. Despite this , i thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is my second Jeffrey Archer story and i love the style of writing. You would be reading all about one of the political characters when suddenly you would be taken from that person and find yourself in a different debate, meeting or discussion with someone totally different. Very informative and brilliant description of Westminster. I have seen oitside the Houses of Parliament and having read this book i felt i was spending time inside of them as well. Brilliant descriptions. An excellent Read.

I Enjoyed The Side Stories About The Politicians; Their Private Lives And Their Machinations.But The Political History Seemed Over Long And Affected My Rating.A Book For Die Hard Fans.

I am an avid Archer fan but while I found the subject fascinating, as it was an era of politics that I have lived through and Prime Ministers from Wilson to Thatcher were background players, I became very confused with who was who out of the main characters.Each character was not given a whole chapter but we were speedily diverted from one man's story to another within a paragraph.Far be it from me to tell Jeffrey Archer how to write but I think a chapter per character's story would have been more satisfying. I kept seeing a characters name and thinking now which one are they. I'm afraid I skipped loads of the book in a confused haze.