MARGARET THATCHER: Britain's Prime Minister

In the ""Contemporary Women"" series, a just-the-facts-ma'am biography of Britain's Iron Lady. During a childhood that was far from idyllic, Thatcher worked hard, helping in her parents' grocery store and finding her only pleasure in the company of books. Hole chronicles Thatcher's youth before delving into the crises and triumphs of her tumultuous political life, injecting writerly admiration into every chapter and stopping just short of actual ""hurrahs."" Abrupt shifts in time, missing transitions, and the overwrought style will exclude this from use in all but the most service-oriented forums. Illus. not seen; index; further reading.