A Disappointing Hotchpotch of Different Themes
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Although an attractively presented book on a potentially interesting subject the content and style are disappointing. Dr Owen starts with a section devoted to the illness of various world leaders over the last 100 years. These vary greatly in interest and relevance to Owen's emerging theme of the need for greater clarity over the health of leaders or potential leaders. There follows four 'case histories' reviewing the health of Eden, Kennedy, the Shah of Iran and Mitterrand and whether or not it had an adverse effect upon important decisions each leader made. By far the most interesting section, and that part of the book that really springs to life, is the question of the health of President Kennedy and how this may have influenced his disastrous escapade over the 'Bay of Pigs'. Owen suggests that at the time of Kennedy's successful handling of the 'Cuban Missile Crisis' his serious illnesses were under good medical control hence the assured responses.
There then follows a passage on Owen's hypothesis of a 'hubris syndrome' with particular relevance to Bush, Blair and the Iraq War. In many respects this is a completely different topic to the physical and mental health of leaders and gives the book a distinct 'cobbled together' feel whereas two shorter works may have been more appropriate. This feeling is reinforced by the 'hotchpotch' of items in the initial section referred to above.
The book concludes with a number of foolish pseudo-liberal suggestions regarding medical screening of leaders, the right of UN intervention in the internal affairs of countries and Owen's continuing support for regime change despite the Iraq fiasco.
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A ground-breaking book
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A ground-breaking book that opens the door to a new area of political economy. David Owen's background as a medical doctor and a leading political figure of our times gives a unique voice to this subject. It deserves to become a standard text in its field.
The extent to which illness can affect our leaders should be a concern to us all. Worse, the tendency of some leaders to become prone to behavioural inconsistencies the longer they hold office is developed by the author into a fascinating 'hubris syndrome' with its attendant personality symptoms and modern examples.
This book should resonate with electors and provide cause for reflection by those who seek or hold high office.
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