It's more of a confirmation of the person we thought he really was and less of a shock, but still very interesting. A new biography about Blair is being published, revealing some of the inside discussions behind the scenes including interviews with Colin Powell.
But Mr Powell told Dr Seldon: "In the end Blair would always support the president. I found this very surprising. I never really understood why Blair seemed to be in such harmony with Bush. I thought, well, the Brits haven't been attacked on 9/11. How did he reach the point that he sees Saddam as such a threat? Jack and I would get him all pumped up about an issue. And he'd be ready to say, 'Look here, George'. But as soon as he saw the president he would lose all his steam."
In extracts from the book in The Mail on Sunday, Dr Seldon also disclosed that two of Mr Blair's most senior Downing Street advisers, Sir David Manning and Baroness Sally Morgan, argued against the war.
According to the book, Mr Blair resolved to write to Mr Bush in 2002 to spell out his fears that the momentum for war was growing too fast in America.
But he "faltered and pulled his punches" and in effect told the president: "You know, George, whatever you decide to do, I'll be with you."
Sir Christopher Meyer, Britain's former ambassador to Washington was horrified, asking Sir David: "Why in God's name has he said that again?
"'Well, we tried to stop him ... but we didn't prevail', came the weary response."
