Political leaders and leadership Books

Book SynopsisMichael Dobbs, author of the No. 1 bestseller that inspired the hit Netflix series House of Cards, returns to the subject that made him a household name - the human drama and scandal in Westminster. First Lady is a compelling and witty novel of power, seduction and revenge, perfect for fans of John Grisham and Philip Kerr.Virginia Edge: mid-thirties, attractive, self-sufficient, ambitious. This is the story of her transformation from dutiful political wife to masterful manipulator of the entire political process at Westminster. She is a woman who is driven by the failings of men and the greed of others to take over their system and undermine it, to repay them in kind. In this battle she has two great allies - the intuition and determination of a wronged wife, and the blind ineptitude of Westminster men.Praise for Michael Dobbs:''Brilliant... Full of magnificently dark political characters'' Daily Mail<Trade Review'Dobbs' writing is highly polished and divertingly sophisticated' * Sandra Howard, Spectator *'It's barbed and breakneck, often very funny and hugely entertaining' * The Times *'It is brutal, coruscating stuff' * Sunday Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisFrom the two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist, bestselling historian, and author of Our First Civil War?and the rare academic historian who can write like a bestselling novelist (USA Today)?comes an irresistible portrait of an underestimated politician whose pragmatic leadership and steadfast vision transformed the nation.In his magisterial new biography, H. W. Brands brilliantly establishes Ronald Reagan as one of the two great presidents of the twentieth century, a true peer to Franklin Roosevelt. Reagan conveys with sweep and vigor how the confident force of Reagan?s personality and the unwavering nature of his beliefs enabled him to engineer a conservative revolution in American politics and play a crucial role in ending communism in the Soviet Union. Reagan shut down the age of liberalism, Brands shows, and ushered in the age of Reagan, whose defining principles are still powerfully felt today.Employing archival sources not available to previous biographers and drawing on dozens of interviews with surviving members of Reagan?s administration, Brands has crafted a richly detailed and fascinating narrative of the presidential years. He offers new insights into Reagan?s remote management style and fractious West Wing staff, his deft handling of public sentiment to transform thetax code, and his deeply misunderstood relationship with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, on which nothing less than the fate of the world turned.Look for H.W. Brands''s other biographies: THE FIRST AMERICAN (Benjamin Franklin), ANDREW JACKSON, THE MAN WHO SAVED THE UNION (Ulysses S. Grant), and TRAITOR TO HIS CLASS (Franklin Roosevelt).

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Book SynopsisFrom the former Prime Minister and most decorated solder in Israel's history, this is essential reading to understand today's Israel-Palestine conflict and the precarious path to a two-state solution.'There is scarcely one of Israel's security or military operations of the past four decades in which Barak has not been involved' Jewish ChronicleIn the summer of 2000, Ehud Barak set himself a challenge as daunting as any he had faced on the battlefield: to secure a final peace with the Palestinians. He would propose two states for two peoples, with a shared capital in Jerusalem. He knew the risks of failure. But he also knew the risks of not trying: letting slip perhaps the last chance for a generation to secure genuine peace.It was a moment of truth. It was one of many in a life intertwined, from the start, with that of Israel. Born on a kibbutz, Barak became commander of Israel's elite special forces, then army Chief of Staff, and ultimately, Prime Minister. My Country, My Life tells the unvarnished story of his - and his country's - first seven decades; of its major successes, but also its setbacks and misjudgments. He offers candid assessments of his fellow Israeli politicians, of the American administrations with which he worked. Drawing on his experiences as a military and political leader, he sounds a powerful warning: Israel is at a crossroads, threatened by events beyond its borders and by divisions within. The two-state solution is more urgent than ever, not just for the Palestinians, but for the existential interests of Israel itself.Trade ReviewA riveting memoir of war and almost-peace by Ehud Barak, one of Israel's wisest modern leaders. Barak describes his missions for Israel's toughest commando unit with the passion of a born soldier. The most poignant passages of this book describe Barak's unsuccessful struggle as prime minister to hammer out a peace deal with the PLO's Yasser Arafat—in what proved to be one of the Middle East's tragic 'near misses.' Barak's love for Israel animates every page of this book. -- David Ignatius, columnist for the Washington Post and bestselling thriller writerThere is scarcely one of Israel's security or military operations of the past four decades in which Barak has not been involved and he relates them well, illumining the doubts, anxieties and hard decisions that leadership demands * Jewish Chronicle *My Country, My Life is a rich and engrossing memoir from one of Israel’s premier political leaders, who went from being a decorated soldier to a staunch advocate for peace. Ehud Barak’s love of Israel pours through every page of this book, which makes his warnings about the country’s future as a Jewish and democratic state all the more powerful, urgent, and real. -- Madeleine Albright, former U.S. Secretary of StateThe life of Ehud Barak is the story of a warrior who became a statesman. My Country, My Life, an aptly titled memoir, is honest, captivating, and moving. -- Dr. Henry Kissinger, former U.S. Secretary of StateEhud Barak's My Country, My Life is a powerful, must-read for anyone interested in peace in the Middle East and, indeed, anywhere in the world. As a journalist who has covered the peace process for many years, I thought I was pretty well-informed. But I must say: I learned a great deal by reading this beautifully written and very candid memoir. -- Wolf Blitzer, CNN

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“This…perfectly timed [book]...will be for many readers like the welcome, delicious equivalent of a large pitcher of iced water during a long, smoggy summer heat wave…[it] should not be approached as a eulogy for a fallen statesman…[but]...better read...as a blueprint for the future.” — Vital Speeches “Rich background information on policy and historical context introduces each chapter and frames each speech, which reveal Kennedy’s appeal to Democrats and Republicans, minorities and the middle class.” — Library Journal “Remarkable...a book worth getting and reading as well as passing down from one generation to another.” — Family Choice Award

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Book SynopsisLyndon Baines Johnson, Margaret Thatcher, Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, Barack Obama, Gordon Brown, Theresa May, and Donald Trump: each had different motivations, methods, and paths, but they all sought the highest office. And yet when they reached their goal, they often found that the power they had imagined was illusory. Their sweeping visions of reform faltered. They faced bureaucratic obstructions, but often the biggest obstruction was their own character. However, their personalities could help them as much as hurt them. Arguably the most successful of them, LBJ showed little indication that he supported what he is best known for - the Civil Rights Act - but his grit, resolve, and brute political skill saw him bend Congress to his will. David Runciman tackles the limitations of high office and how the personal histories of those who achieved the very pinnacles of power helped to define their successes and failures in office. These portraits show what characters are most effective in these offices. Could this be a blueprint for good and effective leadership in an age lacking good leaders?Trade ReviewPraise for How Democracy Ends: 'Presented in pellucid prose free of the jargon of academic political science, How Democracy Ends is a strikingly readable and richly learned contribution to understanding the world today ... surely one of the most luminously intelligent books on politics to have been published for many years.' -- John Gray * New Statesman *Bracingly intelligent...a wonderful read -- Mark Mazower * Guardian *Full of intriguing new lines of thought -- Gideon Rachman * FT *Refreshingly, rather than a knicker-twisting diatribe about Trump and Brexit, Runciman offers a thoughtful analysis about what popular democracy means, and its alternatives. -- Katrina Gulliver * Spectator *Clear-headed, compact and timely * Irish Times *An excellent book: it is well-written, evenly paced, accessible, non-academic in tone but very much so in rigour and thoughtfulness. It is sceptical but not pessimistic, and warnful but not alarmist ... It is heartily recommended for anyone who seeks to understand our current malaise and interested in this question of how democracy got to where it is today, and where it may go - if anywhere - next. * LSE Review of Books *Refreshingly free of received and rehearsed wisdoms, Runciman doesn't tiptoe around sacred cows and invites us to take part in that most adult way of thinking: to examine contradictory ideas in tandem and ponder what the dissonance amounts to. . . . [H]e argues lucidly, persuasively, even exhilaratingly at times. The nightly news will never appear exactly the same again * Australian *Praise for The Confidence Trap: Runciman's book abounds with fresh insights, arresting paradoxes, and new ways of posing old problems -- Andrew Gamble * Times Literary Supplement *This rich and refreshing book will be of intense interest to anyone puzzled by the near paralysis that seems to afflict democratic government in a number of countries -- John Gray * New York Review of Books *As a corrective to the doom-and-gloomsters, this book makes some telling points, and he is a clear and forceful writer -- Mark Mazower * Financial Times *Runciman is a good writer and brave pioneer. . . . The picture he sketches is agreeably bold * Sydney Morning Herald *[An] ingenious account . . . Runciman concludes that democracy will probably survive, having made a delightfully stimulating, if counterintuitive case, that the unnerving tendency of democracies to stumble into crises is matched by their knack for getting out of them * Publisher's Weekly *What we get here is good history. The events at the seven junctures are presented in a way that is learned, concise and informative -- Stein Ringen * International Affairs *Those who cannot remember history, George Santayana observed, are condemned to repeat it. Except he's wrong, according to David Runciman. In his admirable analysis, How Democracy Ends, he says the trouble is that we remember the least helpful bits of history, perpetually harking back to the 1930s to explain the aspects of modern politics we like least: Trump especially. Really we'd be better off comparing and contrasting ourselves with ancient Athens, the world's purest democracy. * Evening Standard *well-written -- Bryan Maye * Irish Times *

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Book Synopsis''I would choose this account over and above the rest. It is a fabulous book: full of perceptive insight that conveys all the tragedy, triumph, humour and intense drama of Churchill''s time as wartime leader; and it is incredibly moving as a result'' James Holland, Literary ReviewIn this vivid biography, #1 bestselling historian Max Hastings tells the story of how Churchill led a nation through its darkest hour.A moving, dramatic narrative of crisis and fortitude, Hastings offers one of the finest biographies of one of Britain's finest men.When Churchill took power as Prime Minister in 1940, it was with the unprecedented support of the nation. People rallied behind their new commander in extraordinary fashion, but thereafter, as Hastings argues, there came a deep divide.Churchill was a hero, a dogged worker dedicated to steering the country through the war. He expected more from the British people than they were perhaps able to deliver.Taking us on an intimate, stirring journey throughTrade Review'One of the best books ever written about Churchill … Hastings's efficient, soldierly prose marches along at a brisk pace and carries the reader with it. He has drawn on copious original sources and consulted experts familiar with them, enabling him to cast fresh light on familiar episodes … a magnificent performance.' Sunday Times 'The book's portrait of Churchill is scrupulously fair and often deeply moving … in fact Hastings excels with all his character portraits, especially with Roosevelt and Stalin. Hastings is truly a master of strategy and high command.' Antony Beevor, Mail on Sunday

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Book SynopsisAn updated edition of Ben Pimlott's classic biography of the Queen: There is no better biography of Elizabeth II.' PETER HENNESSY, Independent on SundayA magisterial biography and the only one that seriously deals with her constitutional and political role'' Tim Shipman, Sunday TimesThe royal family have been through a tumultuous decade, but with the wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton, Prince Philip's 90th birthday and the forthcoming Diamond Jubilee celebrations, there is renewed interest and appreciation of our monarchy. The Queen is an in-depth look at the woman at the centre of it all and is the only biography to take Elizabeth II seriously as the subject of historical biography, or to examine the influences that formed her and the ideas she represents.Ben Pimlott (described by Andrew Marr in the Independent as the best writer of political biography now writing') treats the Head of State to the rigorous and objective scrutiny he applied to major political personalities, usTrade Review‘This biography by Ben Pimlott is generally considered the best political life of Elizabeth II’ GARETH RUSSELL, Times ‘A strikingly impressive achievement. Professor Pimlott has shown what wit, scholarship and a wide-ranging historical imagination can do with a subject that must initially have seemed unpromising. There will not be a better royal biography for many years.’ PHILIP ZIEGLER, Daily Telegraph ‘This is an important and stimulating book which even literary republicans can read with pleasure.’ ANTONIA FRASER, Guardian ‘Pimlott brings wit and gravitas to the topic.’ ANDREW ROBERTS, Sunday Telegraph ‘No serious royal watcher who values accuracy and the perspective of history can afford to be without it.’ Sunday Times

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Book SynopsisMuch bigger and more ambitious than a first-person rise and fall Great vignettes and classy analysis from the man who until a year ago sat at the top of the diplomatic tree There is nothing dusty or dry in his account of dealing with the twin forces of Boris and Donald, and how they've shaped politics and his life' Guardian@realDonaldTrump: The wacky ambassador that the UK foisted on the United States is not someone we are thrilled with, a very stupid guy We will no longer deal with him'Kim Darroch was British Ambassador to the US as the age of Trump dawned and Brexit unfolded. One of the UK's most experienced and respected diplomats, to Darroch was given the task of explaining Trump to the British and Brexit to the Americans. Choosing to resign after his confidential cables criticising the Trump administration were leaked to the press, Darroch's unvarnished, behind-the-scenes account reveals for the first time the inside story of this tumultuous time and reflects more broadly on BTrade Review‘Rude about Theresa May, assertive on Brexit and refreshingly free of self pity … Darroch recounts the events which led to his resignation as UK ambassador in Washington in droll style … It is a highly readable and entertaining account of his diplomatic life and times … He is honest about the “factors” that made Brexit possible. … Rich in insight’Luke Harding, Guardian ‘A sharply written book, full of dry and wry observations … But this book is much bigger and more ambitious than a first-person “rise and fall”. What gives it its narrative force is that the two central characters in the book – Trump and Johnson – are also the emblems of the surge in populism, and the two history-shaping events in US/UK politics: the EU referendum on 23 June 2016, and the US general election a few months later in November … Filled with great vignettes and classy analysis from the man who until just over a year ago sat at the top of the diplomatic tree. And there is nothing dusty or dry in his account of dealing with the twin forces of Boris and Donald, and how they’ve shaped politics – and his life.’Jon Sopel, Guardian ‘Bleakly comic detail … [Darroch] was obliged to serve in a shark tank at feeding time’Max Hastings, Sunday Times ‘In his telling, he reveals a lot about the way Britain has changed over the past few decades, about how it works now, about a relationship with our closest ally that we like to call “special”, and about at least a slice of life in the United States … Anger still burns on the book’s pages … He delivers sharp insights about others; crisply critical about their decisions, while fair-minded and even kind about them as people. Readers will get the feeling that he prefers to pack a punch than make a splash. Now he has done both’Edward Lucas, The Times, Book of the Week

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Book Synopsis*THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER*A GUARDIAN AND SUNDAY TIMES BOOK OF THE YEARAn astonishing book' James O'BrienA gripping, devastating read' Sunday TimesThe inside story of the UK's response to the pandemic from the Insight investigations unit at The Sunday TimesFailures of State recounts the extraordinary political decisions taken at the heart of Boris Johnson's government during the global pandemic.Fully updated and corroborated by hundreds of sources, this is the insider's account of how the government sleepwalked into disaster and tried to cover up its role in the tragedy. Thrillingly told, it exposes one of the most scandalous failures of political leadership in British history.A damning indictment' Alan Johnson, ObserverA devastating piece of journalism' Andrew MarrThis is a scandal' Piers MorganTrade Review‘An astonishing book that you absolutely have to buy … the nearest we’ll get to an inquiry.’ James O’Brien ‘Failures of State is a Christmas-at-Argos sized catalogue of the government’s errors, page after page filled with its mistakes, misjudgments and even its possibly actionable crimes.’ Jonathan Freedland, Guardian ‘This book is superb. Painful but necessary reading.’ Rachel Clarke ‘A masterpiece. This is one of the most important books of our time.’ Owen Jones ‘A brilliantly presented indictment of the UK’s fumbling attempt to meet the Covid challenge.’ Kazuo Ishiguro, Guardian ‘Failures of State is a gripping, devastating read. It’s a piece of first-class investigative journalism… this is a work of history. It’s witness. It’s also a kind of catharsis.’ Christina Patterson, Sunday Times ‘Incredibly reported and wildly damning … It is impossible to read Failures of State, the frequently jaw-dropping book by Sunday Times journalists Jonathan Calvert and George Arbuthnott, and not conclude that the British people deserved far, far better from the government’ Marina Hyde, Guardian ‘A frightening and detailed account of the failures of the last 12 months. Some of the revelations are sickening and shocking.’ Armando Iannucci, satirist and writer ‘A damning indictment’ Alan Johnson, Observer ‘Superb journalism … a truly remarkable book.’ Professor Devi Sridhar, Chair of Global Public Health ‘Buy it and read it so you’re never tempted to forget’ John Crace, Guardian journalist ‘A devastating new account of Year Covid exposes the Prime Minister’s utter failure to meet the nation’s greatest health crisis for a century.’ Paul Routledge, Daily Mirror ‘I cannot recommend this book enough’ David Schneider, comedian and writer

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Book SynopsisA TELEGRAPH BEST HISTORY BOOK OF 2023A highly imaginative and thought-provoking way of exploring the personality of a man who, like him or loathe him, left an indelible mark on our age' ADAM ZAMOYSKIWinston Churchill followed his own star. He yearned to be great', to gain historical immortality. And he did so through deeds and words: his actions as a soldier and politician, gilded by his writings as a journalist and historian. But Churchill's path to greatness was also defined by the leaders he encountered along the way friends and foes, at home and abroad. Men of power such as Hitler and Mussolini, Roosevelt and Stalin, David Lloyd George, Neville Chamberlain and Charles de Gaulle. And the haunting presence of the adored father who had seen nothing of merit in his troublesome son. In these men Churchill discerned greatness, or its absence, in ways that influenced his own career.This book includes some whom Churchill would not have deemed great', but who in our own day offer alternaTrade Review A TELEGRAPH BEST HISTORY BOOK OF 2023 ‘This book, by a Cambridge academic who has studied his subject over a lifetime perhaps more closely and shrewdly than any other writer, is not a collection of Churchill’s biggest clangers. Instead, it is almost a second volume that Churchill himself never wrote, of his 1937 Great Contemporaries…always shrewd and sometimes brilliant…It includes wonderful anecdotes, some unfamiliar. Even the stories that we know bear retelling’ The Times, Max Hastings ‘A brilliant new portrait of the man who is, for many, still the Greatest Briton … wonderfully illuminating’ Daily Mail ‘A highly imaginative and thought-provoking way of exploring the personality of a man who, like him or loathe him, left an indelible mark on our age’ Adam Zamoyski ‘Winston Churchill was unique—but that does not mean that he was alone. David Reynolds’ insightful work illuminates much about those towering figures who shaped not only the politics of the first half of the twentieth century, but also helped form the man who was, in the end, the greatest of them all’ Eliot A. Cohen, author of The Hollow Crown 'Erudite. Authoritative. Compellingly written, and with pace and verve. Reynolds reveals much that is new in a gripping narrative history of the Great Man, one that will have you turning the pages into the early hours. It certainly did me. Like all good books, I shall return to this again and again’ Damien Lewis ‘Who inspired Churchill as he rose to the pinnacle of power? And how did he himself seek to mold how history would view him? No one is better placed to address these deceptively simple questions than David Reynolds, and he succeeds splendidly in this magnificent book’ Fredrik Logevall, author of JFK

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“At a time when the meaning of America is up for grabs, Cody Keenan's new book chronicles ten days that tested us and ultimately showed us at our best. It’s a captivating story about what’s worth fighting for, an antidote to cynicism that will make you believe again.” — President Barack Obama, via Twitter “Grace is a beautifully written, gripping tale of a monumental week in the life of America. As a political memoir, it is a masterpiece, rendering the White House’s characters—including President Barack Obama—in deeply human terms, with unforgettable behind-the-scenes accounts of how history was made. But in Grace, Cody Keenan does something even deeper by opening up the chilling rise of white supremacism, delving into the horrific costs of racial injustice in America, and showing how—with courage, decency, and a rich, expansive form of patriotism—our better angels can prevail.” — Samantha Power, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of A Problem from Hell and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations "Grace is an exuberant love letter to public service and a beautifully written record of how a President and his speechwriter faced down the darkest demons of American identity to offer a better, truer story of who we can be. At a time when cynicism and apathy endanger democracy, Cody Keenan lets us all experience how it felt to be in the room and reminds us of the things that are worth fighting for.” — Ben Rhodes, author of The World As It Is ““Cody Keenan's Grace, like the speeches he wrote with President Obama, is a compelling force. People of faith will know the ‘grace’ of which Cody and Obama speak; political and history buffs will appreciate the look inside these tragic, triumphant moments; and all Americans will be moved to tears of sorrow and joy through Cody’s retelling. Grace is what’s needed in our country right now, and Keenan's Grace is likewise a needed, essential read.” — Joshua DuBois, spiritual advisor to President Obama and author of The President’s Devotional “Cody Keenan has the heart of a novelist, the agile mind of an historian, and the acuity of someone who knows politics inside out. This remarkable book speaks in epic ways to the beauty and turmoil of the intimate moments that shape our lives. This is a hero’s journey, told with humility, insight and of course, grace.” — Colum McCann, National Book Award–winning author of Let the Great World Spin “At a time when cynicism permeates every ounce of our news and our politics, reading this hopeful, inspiring, gorgeous book is as refreshing as skinny dipping in a mountain lake. Grace is an invigorating reminder of the power each of us have to change the things for the better. Read this book! And then buy another one for your friend who thinks nothing matters and the world is doomed.” — Kal Penn, author of the national bestseller You Can’t Be Serious “An absorbing book debut with an insider’s view of the pressured, often ‘fucking terrifying’ workings within the White House…a moving portrait of a presidency and its top speechwriter.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “A compelling memoir….[Keenan] offers a candid slice of life in a West Wing characterized by camaraderie, integrity, and hard work.” — Library Journal (starred review) “Uncommonly frank…a rarity in presidential histories these days: an argument for public service.” — Chicago Tribune “Powerful...a fascinating backstage pass…no matter your political persuasion, Grace is a generous, lively and worthwhile read." — BookPage “Students of politics will gain an insider’s perspective in presidential power and leadership in time of crisis.” — Booklist “Grace is a refreshing departure from the flood of scandalous ‘literary’ flotsam that typically washes up in the wake of the transfer of power. . . Like the president he served, Keenan tells his story with conviction, compassion—and amazing grace.” — Washington Monthly “[Grace is] less a standard Washington memoir with a scorecard of political wins and losses and more a reflection on the painful process of forging change. It’s a meditation on the craft of speech writing itself, and its place in a presidency that, more than most, was rooted in the power of rhetoric.” — CNN’s Meanwhile in America “There are plenty of romanticized depictions of the presidency on film, TV and written form. And then there is Cody Keenan’s new book, Grace. . . The heart of the book puts political realism to literature — a showcase about how the goal of a White House is often to fend off bad things, claw for incremental progress and, above all else, fight off cynicism.” — Politico “A much-needed literary remedy…a story that is gripping, nail-biting, and steeped in the best and worst of humanity.” — 48 Hills

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Book SynopsisAs a diarist I have chronicled the time through which I have lived in meticulous detail: but all that is history. What matters now is the future for those who will live through it.The past is the past but there may be lessons to be learned which could help the next generation to avoid mistakes their parents and grandparents made.Certainly at my age I have learned an enormous amount from the study of history - not so much from the political leaders of the time but from those who struggled for justice and explained the world in a way that shows the continuity of history and has inspired me to do my work.Normality for any individual is what the world is like on the day they are born. The normality of the young is wholly different from the normality of their grandparents.It is the disentangling of the real questions from the day to day business of politics that may make sense for those who take up the task as they will do.Every generation has to fTrade ReviewThere is a portrait here of a good man whose extraordinary enthusiasm for the world is both incredibly undiminished and endearing * The Times *A charming introduction to Benn's work * Socialist Review *Inspiring and tremendously moving * Good Book Guide *There is a passion in Benn's writing and speaking that far transcends the miserable aspirations of most contemporary politicians -- Paul Foot * The Guardian *

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Book SynopsisThe sensational second volume of Charles Moore''s bestselling authorized biography of the Iron LadyIn June 1983 Margaret Thatcher won the biggest increase in a government''s Parliamentary majority in British electoral history. Over the next four years, as Charles Moore relates in this central volume of his uniquely authoritative biography, Britain''s first woman prime minister changed the course of her country''s history and that of the world, often by sheer force of will.The book reveals as never before how she faced down the Miners'' Strike, transformed relations with Europe, privatized the commanding heights of British industry and continued the reinvigoration of the British economy. It describes her role on the world stage with dramatic immediacy, identifying Mikhail Gorbachev as ''a man to do business with'' before he became leader of the Soviet Union, and then persistently pushing him and Ronald Reagan, her great ideological soulmate, to order world affaTrade ReviewOne of the great biographical achievements of our times. -- Dominic Sandbrook * Sunday Times *This is a magnificent piece of work, and when he has completed it with the third volume, Moore will have done the justice she deserves to a great Prime Minister. -- William Waldegrave * Evening Standard *Moore's project is a study of detailed depth, and fine and transparent judgements, which rises to the largeness of a figure and a time that were of world significance. -- John Lloyd * FT *An awesomely thorough and authoritative portrait ... the definitive explanation of the strange person who most shaped modern Britain. -- Andy Beckett * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisIn The Prime Minister: the Office and its Holders since 1945, Peter Hennessy explores the formal powers of the Prime Minister and how each incumbent has made the job his or her own. Drawing on unparalleled access to many of the leading figures, as well as the key civil servants and journalists of each period, he has built up a picture of the hidden nexus of influence and patronage surrounding the office. From recently declassified archival material he reconstructs, often for the first time, precise prime ministerial attitudes towards the key issues of peace and war. He concludes with a controversial assessment of the relative performance of each Prime Minister since 1945, from Clement Atlee and Winston Churchhill to Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair, and proposes a new specification for the premiership as it enters its fourth century. ''I really can''t praise it too highly: a tremendous achievement ... an instant classic''  AnTable of ContentsPart 1 Prelude: the platonic idea and the constitutional deal; continuity and cottage pie. Part 2 The premiership: the double-headed nation; organized by history - the premiership before 1945; beyond any mortal? the stretching of the premiership since 1945; where the buck stops - premiers, "war cabinets" and nuclear war planning since 1945. Part 3 The prime ministers: a sense of architectronics - Clement Atlee, 1945-51; in history lie all the secrets - Winston Churchill, 1951-55; the Colonel and the drawing room - Anthony Eden, 1955-57; quiet, calm deliberation - Harold Macmillan, 1957-63; country values - Alec Douglas-Home, 1963-64; centre forward - Harold Wilson, 1964-70; the somersaulting modernizer - Edward Heath, 1970-74; centre half - Harold Wilson, 1974-76; the sea-changer - James Callaghan, 1976-79; a tigress surrounded by hamsters - Margaret Thatcher, 1979-90; the solo-coalitionist - John Major, 1990-97; command and control - Tony Blair, 1997-. Part 4 Coda: the premier league - the inevitability of disappointment; towards a new specification - premiership for the 21st century.

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Book SynopsisFrom the author of Alexander Hamilton, the New York Times bestselling biography that inspired the musical, comes a gripping portrait of the first president of the United States.Winner of the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for Biography“Truly magnificent . . . [a] well-researched, well-written and absolutely definitive biography” —Andrew Roberts, The Wall Street Journal“Until recently, I’d never believed that there could be such a thing as a truly gripping biography of George Washington . . . Well, I was wrong. I can’t recommend it highly enough—as history, as epic, and, not least, as entertainment.” —Hendrik Hertzberg, The New YorkerCelebrated biographer Ron Chernow provides a richly nuanced portrait of the father of our nation and the first president of the United States. With a breadth and depth matched by no othTrade Review“Truly magnificent . . . [a] well-researched, well-written and absolutely definitive biography” —Andrew Roberts, The Wall Street Journal“Superb . . . the best, most comprehensive, and most balanced single-volume biography of Washington ever written. [Chernow’s] understanding of human nature is extraordinary and that is what makes his biography so powerful.” —Gordon S. Wood, The New York Review of Books“Chernow displays a breadth of knowledge about Washington that is nothing short of phenomenal… never before has Washington been rendered so tangibly in such a smart, tenaciously researched volume as Chernow's opus . . . a riveting read . . .” —Douglas Brinkley, The Los Angeles Times“Until recently, I’d never believed that there could be such a thing as a truly gripping biography of George Washington . . . Well, I was wrong. Ron Chernow’s huge (900 pages) Washington: A Life, which I’ve just finished, does all that and more. I can’t recommend it highly enough—as history, as epic, and, not least, as entertainment. It’s as luxuriantly pleasurable as one of those great big sprawling, sweeping Victorian novels.” —Hendrik Hertzberg, The New Yorker“[Ron Chernow] has done justice to the solid flesh, the human frailty and the dental miseries of his subject—and also to his immense historical importance . . . This is a magnificently fair, full-scale biography.” —The Economist

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsIncludes: Autobiography; 1726; Journal of a Voyage; Observations Concerning the Increase of Mankind; The Kite Experiment; Poor Richard's Maxims; The Internal State of America; Speech in the Constitutional Convention at the Conclusion of its Deliberations

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Book SynopsisFrom the outspoken former governor, presidential candidate and chair of the Trump transition, a no-holds-barred account of Christie's rise to power in a world of bare-knuckle politics, his fifteen-year friendship with Donald Trump and his frank insights and experiences with the president and his inner circle.

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Book SynopsisA fresh portrait of Henry Kissinger focusing on the fundamental ideas underlying his policies: realism, balance of power and national interest.Trade Review"Gewen's book… is distinctive in that it is, above all, an account of Kissinger's intellectual universe." -- Gideon Rachman - Financial Times"Gewen seeks to escape [a] cartoon depiction of Kissinger... He does so successfully with sympathy for his subject, subtlety, good writing and not a little humour... Gewen tells us that Kissinger is more than a figure out of history, and that we dismiss or ignore him at our peril… Where are the 21st-century’s Henry Kissingers when we need them?" -- Christopher Meyer - The Spectator"A timely new book on Henry Kissinger—The Inevitability of Tragedy by Barry Gewen—provides new insight into what might have gone wrong and landed the US in a late imperial funk." -- Iain Martin - The Times"[Gewen] remind[s] us of a very interesting and complex personality." -- Roger Boyes - The Times"In this magisterial account, Gewen… traces the historical and philosophical roots of Kissinger’s famous realism, situating him in the context of Hannah Arendt and a cohort of other Jewish intellectuals who escaped Nazi Germany." -- 100 Notable Books of 2020 - The New York Times Book Review"Timely and acute... A thoughtful rumination on human behavior, philosophy and international relations." -- John A. Farrell - The New York Times Book Review"Barry Gewen delivered a new biography of Henry Kissinger’s life and work." -- 2020 in US politics books - The Guardian

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Book SynopsisThe only edition of the celebrated Autobiography that includes the long-missing and recently identified “Wagon Letters.”Table of ContentsIntroduction Acknowledgments Notes on the Text Maps: Franklin's Boston, Philadelphia, and London THE TEXT OF THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY The Autobiography "A Quire Book of Letters" The Outline of the Autobiography A Guide to People Mentioned in the Autobiography CONTEXTS Journal of a Voyage, 1726 Excerpts from Franklin's Letters Mentioning the Autobiography "Authentic Memoir of Dr. Franklyn" EXCERPTS FROM FRANKLIN'S WRITINGS ON AMBITION AND FAME, WEALTH, AND SELF-IMPROVEMENT AMBITION AND FAME From Poor Richard Improved, 1750 From Poor Richard Improved, Jan. 1758 To Sarah (Franklin) Bache, June 3, 1779 From Benjamin Vaughn, May 1785 From Jane Mecom, July 21, 1786 WEALTH To Cadwallader Colden, Sept. 29, 1748 To William Strahan, June 2, 1750 To Jane Mecom, Dec. 30, 1770 To Thomas Cushing, June 10, 1771 Benjamin Vaughn to Lord Shelburne, Nov. 24, 1782 To Robert Morris, Dec. 25, 1783 To Benjamin Vaughn, July 26, 1784 Last Will and Testament, 1788, and Codicil, 1789 SELF-IMPROVEMENT Franklin's Epitaph, 1728 Franklin's Junto Query on Human Perfection, 1732 [Poor Richard on Self-Improvement, 1749] Rules for Making Oneself a Disagreeable Companion, 1749 To Lord Kames, May 3, 1760 To Abiah Franklin, Apr. 12, 1750 To Joseph Priestley, Sept. 19, 1772 CRITICISM CONTEMPORARY OPINIONS Immanuel Kant • [The Modern Prometheus] David Hume • To Franklin, May 10, 1762 Franklin in the Cockpit • The Pennsylvania Gazette Report, 1774 Benjamin Vaughn's Account, 1779 Edmund Burke • To Count Patrick D'Arcy, Oct. 5, 1775 From the New-Jersey Gazette, Dec. 31, 1777 Peter Oliver •From Origins & Progress of the American Rebellion Richard Price • To Franklin, May 1790 Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, Comte de Mirabeau • Eulogy for Franklin before the National Assembly of France, 1790 José Antonio de Alzate y Ramírez • A Brief Eulogy for Benjamin Franklin, 1790 José Francisco Correia da Serra • Eulogy for Franklin to the Royal Academy of Sciences, Lisbon, 1791 John Adams • On Franklin, May 15, 1811 NINETEENTH-CENTURY OPINIONS Francis, Lord Jeffrey •From the Edinburgh Review, 1806 Charles Brockden Brown •From Literary Magazine, 1806 John Keats • To George and Georgiana Keats, Oct. 14-31, 1818 Humphry Davy • Historical Sketch of Electrical Discovery Edgar Allan Poe • The Business Man Leigh Hunt •From Hunt's Autobiography Herman Melville •From Israel Potter Mark Twain • The Late Benjamin Franklin Empress Shōken of Japan • [A Franklinian Poem], c. 1890 Frederick Jackson Turner •FromThe Dial, May 1887 William Dean Howells • From Editor's Study, Apr. 1888 From Editor's Study, July 1888 From Editor's Study, Jan. 1890 From Editor's Easy Chair, Oct. 1905 RECENT OPINIONS Max Weber •From The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism D. H. Lawrence • Benjamin Franklin W. Somerset Maugham • [The Classic Books of America] I. B. Cohen • Franklin and Science David Levin • The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin: The Puritan Experimenter in Life and Art Michael Warner • Franklin: The Representational Politics of the Man of Letters Peter Stallybrass • Benjamin Franklin: Printed Collections and Erasable Writing Benjamin Franklin: A Chronology Selected Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisMark Urban tells the story of ten exceptional generals who left their mark on Britain, the British Empire, and the world. Some - including the Duke of Wellington, Lord Kitchener and Bernard Montgomery - are names etched in the national mythology. Others are unsung heroes and shadowy presences whose achievements or failures may have had consequences quite different to those they had intended.All ten of these generals revealed either a brilliant ability or a fatal flaw. Success or failure depended largely on their ability to work within Britain''s Parliamentary democracy - and against tyrants, despots and emperors who were often free to act alone. Mark Urban, the acclaimed author of Rifles and Fusiliers, is now one of our foremost experts on military history. ''One of the most intelligent books on the British Army I have ever read.'' Allan MallinsonTrade Review"'Generals succeeds because of the quirkiness of Urban's subjects, the quality of his writing and the originality of his conclusions.' Daily Telegraph"

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Book SynopsisGeorge W. Bush is the 43rd President of the United States.Trade ReviewDecision Points is well-written, and interesting from start to finish. I think people of all political stripes should read it. * Bill Clinton *Whether you love or loathe George W. Bush, this book is worth buying. It's well written, in a crisp narrative style. It is reflective and self-critical, informative about the decisions that he faced, and the process by which he achieved them...if understanding is the first step to redemption (for Bush), this book will help. * The Times *Decision Points...gives the reader an uncanny sense of how personality and the fateful interplay of personalities within an administration can affect policies that affect the world. * The New York Times *An immensely readable and fascinating account of the key decision moments of his presidency told through the prism of his life...will go a long way towards setting the record straight about those turbulent, transformative years of American history. * The Daily Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisThis omnibus edition brings together concise and up-to-date biographies of Steve Biko, Emperor Haile Selassie, Patrice Lumumba, and Thomas Sankara. African Leaders of the Twentieth Century will complement courses in history and political science and serve as a useful collection for the general reader.

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Book SynopsisThis study traces how the political abuse of federal anti-terrorism legislation by the Clinton administration set into motion a chain of events that included rejecting repeated Sudanese offers of counter-terrorism cooperation which would have seen the extradition of Osama bin Laden to the US in 1996.

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Book SynopsisThe latest volume in Amberley's popular 100 Facts series offers bite-sized nuggets about Britain's many prime ministers.

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Book SynopsisCicero was Rome''s greatest orator and one of the key statesmen of the late Roman Republic. He championed traditional Republican values against populist demagogues like Julius Caesar during a tumultuous period of civil war and unrest. During his term as consul (63 BCE), his decisive actions thwarted a plot to overthrow the Senate, controversially having the ringleaders executed. He outlived Caesar but then mounted a virulent opposition to Mark Antony, which led to Cicero''s proscription andexecution as an enemy of the state.The legacy of his speeches, letters and treatises on politics, law, oratory and other subjects endured, however, and was massively influential on Latin literature and, when rediscovered in the Middle Ages, formed one of the cornerstones of the Renaissance.The period in which Cicero flourished and died was one in which democracy was under attack from radical demagoguery and Philip Kay-Bujak believes his career holds important parallels and lessons for our own times.

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Book Synopsis THE MAKING OF A PRIME MINISTER 'My biography of the year' Michael Crick 'The scariest thing I've read since Silence of the Lambs' Ken Livingstone A brilliant and definitive biography of Boris Johnson, the politician who risked his career to lead the Brexit campaign, won the referendum, and finally became the new prime minister. In Andrew Gimson's acclaimed biography of the most colourful British politician of modern times, we are given a comprehensive portrait of the man. Despite tabloid controversies which led to him being dismissed from Michael Howard's shadow cabinet, Boris bounced back to win two terms as London mayor. It was a remarkable tribute to his huge personal popularity, and he was at the heart of things when London showcased itself during the 2012 Olympics. This updated edition of the book is a comprehensive insight into the dramatic political events of 2016. ATrade Review'My biography of the year' -- Michael Crick'The scariest thing I've read since Silence of the Lambs' -- Ken Livingstone'Boris is a mational treasure, and Gimson has done him proud' * Sunday Times *'It is all rubbish from start to finish - but well-written rubbish' -- Boris Johnson'Excellent' -- Sebastian Payne'A scintillating eulogy' * Daily Telegraph *'A beautifully written biography ... In Gimson, [Boris] has found a generous biographer who has interviewed Johnson's friends and colleagues in journalism and Parliament. The author admits to being a friend but pulls no punches.' -- Michael White * Guardian *'The trick for politicians is to alchemise their abilities into charisma, as Andrew Gimson shows in his rollicking Boris' * Observer *'Richly entertaining' -- John Rentoul * Independent *'Boris, Andrew Gimson's stylish biography of the nation's buffoon, simply shimmers with good will to all men. The result is an effervescent delight' -- Zenga Longmore * Spectator *'Brilliant' -- Simon Carr * Independent *

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Book SynopsisA BLOOMBERG BEST BOOK OF THE YEARWINNER - SILVER MEDAL, AXIOM BUSINESS BOOK AWARDS 2018FOREWORD BY NOURIEL ROUBINISuperHubs is a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the global financial system and the powerful personal networks through which it is run, at the centre of which sit the Elites - the SuperHubs.Combining an insider''s knowledge with principles of network science, Sandra Navidi offers a startling new perspective on how the financial system really operates. SuperHubs reveals what happens at the exclusive, invitation-only platforms - The World Economic Forum in Davos, the meetings of the International Monetary Fund, think-tank gatherings, power lunches, charity events, and private parties. This is the most vivid portrait to date of the global elite: the bank CEOs, fund managers, billionaire financiers and politicians who, through their interlocking relationships and collective influence are transforming the future of ouTrade ReviewIn SuperHubs, Ms. Navidi skillfully applies network science to the global financial system and the human networks that underpin it. SuperHubs is a topical and relevant book that should be read by anyone seeking a fresh perspective on the human endeavor that is our financial system. -- PROFESSOR LAWRENCE H. SUMMERS, Harvard; former US Secretary of the Treasury, former Director of the US National Economic CouncilExceedingly illuminating professional and personal insights into the global financial system. Highly recommendable reading. -- PROFESSOR JÜRGEN STARK, former Chief Economist of the European Central BankSuperHubs-what a clever concept! Sandra Navidi impresses with a masterful piece of both reporting and analysis. -- PROFESSOR KLAUS SCHWAB, Founder and Chairman of the World Economic ForumSandra Navidi provides an entertaining and absorbing portrayal of the networks used by many of the top executives in finance. She draws many useful conclusions and provides terrific portraits of some of the major players in finance today. -- STEPHEN A. SCHWARZMAN, Chairman, CEO & Co-Founder, Blackstone, and Chairman of U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s Strategic and Policy ForumAn intimate glimpse into the obscure world of high finance ... [that] should be voraciously consumed by anyone in business. -- PROFESSOR NOURIEL ROUBINI, Professor of Economics and International Business, Stern School of Business; CEO, Roubini Macro Associates, and Bestselling AuthorHow are we governed? By whom and how? These are the classical questions which globalization and financial markets have given a new urgency. This book provides a front row seat in the theatre of fundamental change. -- OLAFUR RAGNAR GRIMSSON, President of Iceland 1996-2016SuperHubs is an analytical, engaging and insightful guide. It is a must read for all who are striving for growth and excellence! -- HIS EXCELLENCY, MR. SHAUKAT AZIZ, former Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Pakistan, former CEO of Citibank Global Wealth ManagementSandra Navidi's book SuperHubs is beautifully and effectively done. Not only is it a fascinating description of the power wielded by elite networks over the financial sector, it is also a meditation on the consequences of this system for the economy and the society. In recent times, we have seen extraordinary ruptures - notably Britain's vote to break away from the European Union and the intensified sense of exclusion felt by much of America's working class. The last chapter of SuperHubs proposes that this ruling system's "monoculture," its isolation from the rest of society, and its seeming unawareness of the fragility of what it has built are largely responsible for these ruptures, and that the system may lead to a major crisis in the future. -- PROFESSOR EDMUND S. PHELPS, Columbia University, 2006 Nobel Prize in EconomicsSuperHubs offers new insight into those with the power to change the world. -- PROFESSOR IAN BREMMER, Founder and President of Eurasia GroupNavidi shows how networks ... are crucial. Her writing blends personal anecdote and wry observation with a sound grasp of the science of complex self-organizing systems, making SuperHubs a uniquely intelligent and engaging insight into financial power. -- PROFESSOR STEVE KEEN, Head, School of Economics, Politics & History, Kingston University LondonA colorful picture of our financial world and the tremendously powerful titans who are in charge of it. A fun and very useful book! -- ANTHONY SCARAMUCCI, American entrepreneur; Former Assistant to President Donald J. Trump and Director of the White House Office of Public Liaison and Intergovernmental AffairsSuperHubs offers a balanced analysis of the system's driving forces and raises controversial issues regarding the far-reaching impact of a few all-powerful individuals, addressing the fundamental aspects of the complex human dynamics ruling finance and the world. A spirited and riveting book that makes for an intriguing read. -- BORIS COLLARDI, CEO of Bank Julius BärThis book is unique in describing and analyzing the human behavior in the upper circles of the global financial system. I agree with the author that unethical behavior has aggravated the increasing wealth gap and social stratification, and thus has fundamentally shaken society's trust in our financial system. The need for political action to save banks in the crisis of 2008, made clear that the financial system is a not just a private sector but also a common good. It is this orientation on the common good and the wellbeing of ordinary people that has to be included in capitalism at large and the financial sector in particular. This book will empower readers to advocate for change. -- AART DE GEUS, Chairman and CEO, Bertelsmann StiftungAn expert tour guide, Ms. Navidi helps us understand the mechanisms that drive our global financial system by ultimately telling a human story of how a select few wield incredible financial and political power. SuperHubs is a substantive book with just the right balance of research and stories to make it an entertaining and satisfying read. -- THE HONORABLE GEORGETTE MOSBACHER, EntrepreneurSuperHubs is dedicated to a vitally important topic: the state of our financial system and its implications for society. If you want to understand how our world works this book is for you. -- PROFESSOR DIMITAR D. SASSELOV, Phillips Professor of Astronomy, Harvard University, Director, Harvard Origins of Life InitiativeNavidi will be remembered as the woman who revealed how the 1% maintain their plutocracy. -- PROFESSOR DOUGLAS RUSHKOFF, Professor of Media Theory and Digital Economics at City University of New YorkReaders will recognize how the relations of those who pull the levers of global power are the bonds of influence that shape the world. -- PARAG KHANNA, Senior Research Fellow Lee Kuan Yew School of Public PolicySuperHubs deftly takes the reader through the global and societal consequences of those people's relationships, power and money. -- BILL BROWDER, Co-founder and CEO Hermitage Capital Management and human rights activistSuperHubs is indispensable for readers who want to understand the financial world's dynamics. Her fascinating insider's perspective reveals complex linkages among the financial elite and the resulting far-reaching consequences. SuperHubs is a blockbuster! -- HANS DEMMEL, CEO n-tv (RTL Group)We will see how financial oligarchs have instrumentalized most governments to realize their interests. We are very far away from reform. SuperHubs demonstrates, how far off. -- PROFESSOR MAX OTTE, University of Applied Sciences Worms, head of the Cologne-based IFVE Institut für Vermögensentwicklung GmbHSuperHubs vividly describes how homogeneous alpha males maximize their opportunities. Readers will wish that this type of financial elite will disappear, or at the very least, include more women. -- PROFESSOR THOMAS MAYER, former Chief Economist of Deutsche Bank Group; Head of Deutsche Bank ResearchAn absorbing portrayal of the financial elite's self-perpetuating power structures. SuperHubs is a definite "buy"! -- DIRK MÜLLER, Financial Markets ExpertNavidi has thoughtfully determined that a few powerful people rule the world with their extensive networks. May SuperHubs inspire them to make it a more humane and peaceful place. -- ROBERT SALZL, Member of the Foundation Board and Senior Adviser, Schörghuber Stiftung & Co. Holding KGNavidi describes vividly and without taboos how the financial elite have created their own cosmos and why it is about time to scrutinize the rules upon which this system is based. -- ANNETTE HEUSER, CEO, Professor Otto Beisheim Foundation

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Book Synopsis'Galeotti sketches a bleak, but convincing picture of the man in the Kremlin and the political system that he dominates' - The TimesMeet the world's most dangerous man. Who is the real Vladimir Putin? What does he want? And what will he do next? Despite the millions of words written on Putin's Russia, the West still fails to truly understand one of the world's most powerful politicians, whose influence spans the globe and whose networks of power reach into the very heart of our daily lives.In this essential primer, Professor Mark Galeotti uncovers the man behind the myth, addressing the key misperceptions of Putin and explaining how we can decipher his motivations and next moves. From Putin's early life in the KGB and his real relationship with the USA to his vision for the future of Russia - and the world - Galeotti draws on new Russian sources and explosive unpublished accounts to give unparalleled insight into the man at the heart of global politics.Trade ReviewIn fewer than 150 pithy pages, Galeotti sketches a bleak, but convincing picture of the man in the Kremlin and the political system that he dominates. * The Times *Dynamic, authoritative and often witty * The Scotsman *Mark Galeotti, in We Need to Talk About Putin, has distilled a great deal of research and thought into a slim and engaging volume that reads like a primer for anyone poised to enter a negotiation with the Russian president. * The Guardian *Easily the shrewdest and most insightful analysis yet of Putin’s policymaking. * Foreign Affairs *Punchy and highly readable * TLS *

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Book SynopsisNEW, FULLY UPDATED EDITION'Brexit means Brexit.' 'Strong and stable.' 'I don't think I'm in the least robotic.'Ever since Theresa May first whirred into inaction as prime minister, there has only been one reliable source of strength and stability: John Crace's political sketches for the Guardian. These doses of biting satire not only provided much-needed respite from the madness of it all, but also gave us his now notorious moniker for our automaton PM, the Maybot.In I, Maybot, Crace introduces a curated selection of his most acerbic sketches, charting May's tumultuous premiership to date. From the EU referendum and ensuing tragicomic leadership campaign, to the snap election, Tory-DUP coalition of chaos and endless Brexit wranglings, Crace's analysis makes for essential and uproariously entertaining reading.

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Book Synopsis'Carefully researched and excellently written . . . a wonderful account of the special relationship between Ireland and the USA.' BERTIE AHERN'Anybody with an interest in Irish-American politics and personalities will want to read The Green and White House.' DICK SPRINGIntimate, complex, long-lasting: the links between Ireland and US presidents extend much further and deeper than JFK. From Andrew Jackson in 1829 to Woodrow Wilson in 1913 and Joe Biden in 2021, Ireland's sway in the White House is hugely significant.Handwritten letters, weatherworn tombstones, shipping records and even an old desk unlock the ancestral secrets of 23 presidents.Spanning the centuries from covered wagons to the American Revolution, the birth of the Irish Republic to JFK's heady glamour, The Green and White House takes in political machinations and the firebrands who pushed for freedom, justice and peace for Ireland.For centuries, Irish emigrants crossed the Atlantic by boat, but an intense diplomatic bromance has seen American commanders-in-chief returning to remote Irish villages via Air Force One and armoured limousines.Incredible stories spring from these presidential visits. High-tech phones are installed in an ancient cemetery while an Aran cardigan is treated like a hostile device. Anti-personnel nets produce a bumper catch of salmon, but a Secret Service gun is lost then found amid a jubilant crowd.Each homecoming - always conducted with a twinkle in the eye - turns local people into international media darlings. But this transatlantic courtship, forged over the unearthed mysteries of sprawling family trees, has secured Ireland an annual invite to the White House - something no other nation can rival.THE GREEN AND WHITE HOUSE takes a wry look at the special relationship one tiny nation shares with the world's greatest superpower.

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Book SynopsisAfter helping Tony Blair to secure a historic third term in office, Alastair Campbell might have hoped to make good his long-planned escape from Downing Street. Blair, and Gordon Brown, had other ideas. Having negotiated Brown’s pivotal role in the 2005 election victory, Campbell then became fundamental in the transition from one Prime Minister to another. As this volume opens, Blair’s joy at his election victory is short-lived and he knows he is running out of road. By the volume’s close, two years later, Brown is Prime Minister – and leaning on Campbell almost as much as Blair had done. Meanwhile, a fresh-faced young PR man named David Cameron becomes the new Leader of the Opposition and struggles to unite his party over Europe. Beyond Westminster, a psychiatrist enters Campbell’s life; we follow his attempts to rebuild a normal family life, and a plethora of new challenges, from advising the British and Irish Lions to playing a charity match with footballing legend Diego Maradona. Packed with revelations, this latest instalment in the bestselling and critically acclaimed series of diaries is an intimate account of the last days of the Blair government, and the power struggles along the way.

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Book SynopsisFor many in Israel and elsewhere, Benjamin Netanyahu is anathema, an embarrassment; yet he continues to dominate Israeli public life. How can we explain his rise, his hold on Israeli politics, and his outsized role on the world's stage? In Bibi, Anshel Pfeffer reveals the formative influence of Netanyahu's father and grandfather, who bequeathed to him a once-marginal brand of Zionism combining Jewish nationalism with religious traditionalism. In the Zionist enterprise, Netanyahu embodies the triumph of the underdogs over the secular liberals who founded the nation. Netanyahu's Israel is a hybrid of ancient phobia and high-tech hope; of tribalism and globalism -- just like the man himself. We cannot understand Israel today without first understanding the man who leads it.Trade Review'Certain to elicit both consternation and praise, Anshel Pfeffer’s book is a fascinating exploration of the complex ideological and familial foundations that continue to shape the thinking and governing of the man who may soon become Israel’s longest serving Prime Minster. This is a book that will lead both Bibi’s friends as well as his foes to see him a new — and infinitely more nuanced — light.' -- Daniel Gordis, author of 'Israel: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn''An unsparing examination of the Israeli prime minister's rise to power. Journalist Pfeffer, Israeli correspondent for the Economist and senior correspondent for Haaretz, makes his literary debut with a biting portrait of Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu . . . a perceptive history of a beleaguered nation and one deeply flawed leader.''Riveting and passionately critical. . . a must-read for everyone who is interested in the undercurrents of today's Israeli society.''Anshel Pfeffer's biography is superbly timed . . . insightful and readable. . . Bibi, obsessed by hostile "left-wing" media, complained pre-emptively that this biography would be a "cartoon." It is not: It fleshes out a superficially familiar and invariably quotable figure with a wealth of background information and analysis that provide necessary and, of course, often highly critical context.''Anyone who seeks to understand [Netanyahu's] mercurial rise and the way it has shaped modern Israel would do well to read this insightful biography by Anshel Pfeffer . . . a sober and erudite profile of a man who has made himself necessary to his country through sheer force of will.'‘This excellent biography . . . is a dark record of the astute helmsman of Israel’s recent history.’‘Riveting and passionately critical. . . a must-read for everyone who is interested in the undercurrents of today’s Israeli society.’‘A detailed, revealing, and shrewd biography that is packed with fascinating insights . . . taking full advantage of the author’s vantage point as a bilingual journalist, alive to the subtleties of both Israeli and diaspora Jewish life, it is for now the definitive portrait of Netanyahu.’ '['Bibi'] is exhaustively researched … Most damning is Pfeffer’s take on Netanyahu’s relations with leaders of authoritarian regimes.' -- The Guardian'Excellent.' ‘An insightful examination of the most dominant figure in recent Israeli political history . . . both timely and much welcomed. . . . The picture Pfeffer paints of both Bibi and the Netanyahu family is a fascinating one, full of contradictions and paradoxes.’'Benjamin Netanyahu has turned out to be much more than the temporary speed bump in Israeli politics his critics once imagined. In this lively and trenchant biography, Anshel Pfeffer explains why and how Bibi came to dominate and embody the changing face of the remarkable and divided nation he still leads.' -- Aaron David Miller, Vice-President and Middle East Program Director at the Woodrow Wilson Center'Anshel Pfeffer has given us an understanding, even compassionate, portrait of Benjamin Netanyahu -- the family, the formative experiences, the logic of his belligerent ideology -- while keeping his distance from Netanyahu’s stances and exposing many of the unpleasant truths that lie beneath the surface Netanyahu works so hard to polish. Essential reading.' -- Bernard Avishai, author of 'The Hebrew Republic''Weaving together stories from Netanyahu's time in America and Israel, and from his family history, military service, and political career, Anshel Pfeffer's fascinating and insightful biography paints a portrait of the indomitable outsider who became Israel's three-time prime minister. This riveting account illuminates the ways in which the man leading Israel today is both a product and a beneficiary of bitter divides that have shaped the nation's politics from its earliest days.' -- Tamara Cofman Wittes, Senior Fellow in Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution

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Book Synopsis'An incredibly well-researched and lively read' - Financial Times A deep-dive into the art, science and practice of leadership around the world and across the ages by a Harvard professor and historian - essential reading for our turbulent times. Across the world, and throughout time, there have been people who have risen to the challenge of leading others. Sometimes their power is undeserved, sometimes it's ill-used, but always their actions have impact. But do leaders really make history, or does history make leaders? And how might we harness the answers to find and become better leaders today? For the past decade, Moshik Temkin has been exploring these questions at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government and at universities around the world. In this book, he offers a deep dive into the nature of leadership, from the highest ranks to the most hopeless situations. Drawing on stories from across history and culture, Temkin considers how leaders have made decisions, inspired others and forged a path in challenging circumstances - from the Great Depression to the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo, from the Suffragettes to the anticolonial wars of the 20th century to the civil rights struggle - and how, in a world desperate for good leadership, we can evaluate those decisions and draw lessons for ourselves today.Trade ReviewBrings together deep historical knowledge, cultural comparison, and sophisticated analysis of what makes leadership and how individual leaders both reflect their society and shape it in turn. This is a book both empathetic and gripping on a subject of huge importance in our turbulent times. -- Rana Mitter, author * Modern China *A thoroughly engaging meditation on a compelling array of individuals who shaped the eras in which they lived. The result is a fascinating, illuminating, and cautionary meditation on leadership. -- Ellen Fitzpatrick, author * The Highest Glass Ceiling *A book chock-full of insights, showing how a careful and unsparing study of past leaders-those who had great power and those who didn't-can help us identify the attributes we need to see in their successors today. -- Fredrik Logevall, Laurence D. Belfer Professor of International Affairs, Harvard UniversityA plea for the importance of history in the study of leadership. * Kirkus *This book is that rare thing among 'leadership' titles: a truly original concept. ... A incredibly well-researched and lively read. * Financial Times *

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Book SynopsisIn this collection, one of Ireland’s best-known political figures brings us new and selected stories of politics, of family, of love and of friendship. These are portraits of Ireland, and especially Belfast, old and new, in times of struggle and in times of peace, showing how our past is always part of our present. Sometimes sad, sometimes funny, always moving, these are stories of ordinary people captured with wit, with heart and with understanding. Introduction by Timothy O'Grady.Trade ReviewTHE STREET AND OTHER STORIES ‘He brings a wry humour and a detailed observation to small events ... If there is a unifying strand, it is compassion for people in difficult situations.’ * The Sunday Times *Gerry Adams passes the test in relation to the question of literary talent. He observes, he describes, he knows how to maintain suspension, how to surprise, how to make one laugh, how to touch and move one emotionally, writing with authority and confidence, reflecting authentic working-class dialogue which rarely becomes sentimental … He never shies away from his plebeian Ballymurphy and West Belfast roots but gives voice to people’s struggles, domestic, political and moral * Danny Morrison *the book is a fine read. Adams is that rare revolutionary who can write humor as well as pathos and poignancy * Celtic Life International *

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Book SynopsisThe election of Barack Obama as President of the United States was a defining moment in American history. After years of failed policies, Barack Obama was given the chance to reclaim the American dream. He proved himself to be a new kind of leader - one who could bring people together, be honest about the challenges we all face and move his nation forward. Change We Can Believe In outlines his vision for America and its standing in the world.Trade ReviewObama radiates an ethos of integrity, humanity, good manners and elegance * * New York Times * *The best kind of storyteller * * Observer * *Like Bill Clinton, he has the knack of weaving together the personal and the anecdotal with the political and the conceptual, so that each point seems both persuasive and commonsensical * * Guardian * *"Yes we can" is the best political statement of the century so far * * The Times * *Speaking in public seems to be both a personal need and a political creed for Obama. He is not just a fine orator: he is consciously putting oratory at the centre of his political being - and in doing so seeks to embed himself in a vital American tradition * * Financial Times * *The speeches are crafted for Obama as a great orator; on the page they still sing with sincerity * * The Times * *An impassioned speaker whose eloquence ranks with that of Abraham Lincoln * * New York Times * *The most exciting politician of the day * * Independent * *

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Book SynopsisThe men and women who created today’s liberal, democratic, globalised world order may now have left public office, but they have not retired. So, what are they doing, and how does it affect the rest of us? Giles Edwards has interviewed more than twenty former leaders, from Presidents overthrown in coups to winners of Nobel Prizes. He has spent time at their clubs and resorts, spoken to the people who work with them, and probed the organisations and individuals who hire them. From running international organisations to monitoring elections, consulting, lobbying and giving hundred-thousand-dollar speeches, The Ex Men face a dazzling array of opportunities after leaving office, many of them free from any political accountability. But how much do they really achieve with all that soft power? And does all this frantic activity amount to anything more than money-making or legacy-burnishing? In this illuminating investigation, Edwards takes us inside the hidden world of The Ex Men to uncover the many ways in which they wield power, for good and for ill.Trade Review"The personal is political - as Giles's meticulous and engaging writing shows. What does happen to these men and women after the biggest jobs of their lives? How does huge power change people, both for good and for bad? The Ex Men is a much-needed look at the afterlives of these power players, exploring what they still fight for behind the scenes - and how that affects our lives - without us realising it." - Emma Barnett "In Giles Edwards the ancients of the world's political tribes have found their number one anthropologist. With insight and humanity, he analyses both their characters and their efforts to move the global influence markets in this fascinating study." - Peter Hennessy

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Book SynopsisA SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERA concise, sharp-witted and illuminating account of the lives of Britain’s prime ministers from Walpole to May, illustrated by Martin Rowson.For the reader who has heard of such giants as Gladstone and Disraeli, and has drunk in a pub called the Palmerston, but has only the haziest idea of who these people were, Gimson’s Prime Ministers offers a short account of them all which can be read for pleasure, and not just for edification. With Gimson’s wonderful prose once again complemented by Martin Rowson’s inimitable illustrations, this lively and entertaining aide-memoire and work of satirical genius brings our parliamentary history to life as never before.PRAISE FOR GIMSON'S PRIME MINISTERS:'The most engaging and insightful account of PMs to have been published' Arthur Seldon, Standpoint'Learned witty and wise, and splendidly illustrated' Tibor Fischer'Hugely enjoyable' Tom HollandGimson's Kings and Queens is also available. Trade ReviewGimson's Prime Ministers is a crisp and stylish account of every one of them -- Charles Moore * Spectator *Masterly -- Craig Brown * Daily Mail *Hugely enjoyable... has the added bonus of glorious illustrations -- Tom HollandAndrew Gimson's Prime Ministers is the best general book on British politics I've ever come across. Learned, witty and wise, and splendidly illustrated by Martin Rowson, with great snippets for dinner parties. Take Henry Pelham, prime minister from 1743 to 54: "He lived without abusing his power and died poor." -- Tibor FischerThe secret of prime ministers is that they are weak. This is a conclusion of Andrew Gimson’s wonderful portraits in his new book -- John Rentoul * The Independent *Really valuable -- Daniel Finkelstein * The Times Red Box Podcast *If you associate Lord Salisbury more with a pub than with politics, here is Andrew Gimson to the rescue... This spirited blend of politics and anecdote is wonderfully complemented by Martin Rowson's Georgian-style caricatures. Tony Blair's tombstone teeth embedded in Iraq are unforgettable -- Zenga Longmore * Spectator *Pacy and entertaining. It is a perfect refresher of British political history, deserving of a place in the discerning reader’s downstairs loo alongside Gimson’s excellent earlier volume on Kings and Queens, which was, like this one, beautifully illustrated by the cartoonist Martin Rowson. -- Theo Barclay * Daily Telegraph *A cracking read -- Andrew Pierce * LBC *A gem of a book...a constant delight -- Julia Langdon * The Tablet *It could hardly be done better. His pen portraits of our 54 prime ministers are lucid, pithy and perceptive... a galloping good read -- Peter Lilley * Standpoint *The most engaging and insightful account of PMs to have been published -- Arthur Seldon * Standpoint *

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BEST SELLER'Will ruffle some feathers.' Stylist'There's nobody else at Westminster quite like Jess Phillips. She is fearless and funny, riotous and rebellious, maverick and mischievous.' The Times'Jess Phillips is a heroine' J.K. Rowling 'Truth to Power treats politics as what we need to remember it is: the solving of problems in people's lives, which one attempts by coming up with a plan and working with everyone. The purpose of the book is to show readers how they can change things too. I've been at events where she's been the surprise guest, and the audience jumped to their feet and whooped like Chrissie Hynde had come on stage to play Brass in Pocket, because someone like Jess Phillips in politics does a powerful thing. It makes millions of women like her think, "If she can do politics, maybe I could do politics too."' Caitlin MoranYOU HAVE MORE POWER THAN YOU THINK.At a time when many of us feel the world isn't listening, Jess Phillips offers inspiration to those of us who want to speak out and make a difference.No stranger to speaking truth to power herself, she will help you dig deep and get organised, finding the courage and the tools you need to take action.As well as bringing us hope through her own experiences Jess talks to the accidental heroes who have been brave enough to risk everything, become whistle-blowers and successfully fight back. Zelda Perkins, the personal assistant who first called-out Harvey Weinstein;Paul Caruana Galizia, son of murdered Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia;Tom Watson the British MP who successfully took on the Murdoch press empire and won;Sara Rowbotham, the sexual-health worker who uncovered the abuse of young girls by gangs of Asian men in Rochdale - and the subsequent cover-up by the authorities;Natasha Elcock, resident of Grenfell Tower and chair of Grenfell United, the pressure group set up by families after the disaster;Cara Sanquest from the campaign to legalise women's right to choose abortion in Ireland.Entertaining, empowering and uncompromising, TRUTH TO POWER is the book we all need to help us call time on the seemingly unstoppable tide of bullshit in our lives.

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Book SynopsisSo, you think you know Donald Trump? The outrageous showman, vainglorious TV media host and first President to be appointed without any political or military experience. Yes, that Donald Trump. Jim G. Sitch’s diaries, compiled over four long years of the Donald Trump presidency, are hypnotic and scary throughout and a timely reminder of ‘what has been’ and what could well be again. President Trump was a self-taught ruler who, during his time in power, demonstrated his leadership capabilities by trying to tarnish the reputation of a dying American war hero, throwing paper towels at hurricane survivors and provoking Denmark to make Greenland a National Security Priority due to the President trying to buy it. Once you’ve read these diaries, which detail just what it was like to live under Donald Trump’s rule, you’ll seriously question whether there can ever again be another President like Donald Trump.Table of ContentsThe Trump Diaries – Any more years? 13 Section Intro: 2017 – Year 1 17 JANUARY 2017 19 Section Intro: 2018 – Year 2 109 JANUARY 2018 111 Section Intro: 2019 – Year 3 209 JANUARY 2019 211 Section Intro: 2020 – Year 4 303 JANUARY 2020 305 Trump Diary Epilogue – 2021 413 JANUARY 2021 415 Donald Trump – President of the United States of America 2017 to 2021; his legacy… 423 Acknowledgments 424

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Book SynopsisFollowing the Arab Spring, Syria descended into civil and sectarian conflict. It has since become a fractured warzone which operates as a breeding ground for new terrorist movements including ISIS as well as the root cause of the greatest refugee crisis in modern history. In this important book, former Special Envoy of the Netherlands to Syria, Nikolaos van Dam, explains the recent history of Syria, covering the growing disenchantment with the Asad regime, the chaos of civil war and the fractures which led to an immense amount of destruction in the refined social fabric of what used to be the Syrian nation. Through an in-depth examination, van Dam traces political developments within the Asad regime and the various opposition groups from the Arab Spring to the present day, and provides a deeper insight into the conflict and the possibilities and obstacles for reaching a political solution.Trade Review'[A] monumental work on Syrian power politics' - Robert Fisk, The Independent, 'An excellent book' - Patrick Seale, 'An admirable study... invaluable for anyone with a serious interest in Middle Eastern politics' - Peter Mansfield, 'The most informative explanation of the effects of sectarianism and regionalism on Syrian politics' - Philip S. Khoury, MERIP Reports, '[An] excellent study of the sectarian bases of Syrian politics' - Foreign Affairs, 'Only a handful of important books have been written on modern Syria; and Nikolaos van Dam's The Struggle for Power in Syria is one of them' - Joshua Landis, International Journal of Middle East Studies, 'Nikolaos van Dam is a rare species: An academic analyst and an excellent diplomat who has accompanied and shaped recent Syrian history in theory and practice. He is also brutally honest, including with Western policy failures, and hard to be put into a political camp in this polarized conflict. On the basis of profound studies of the Baath system, he explains how Syria's disaster inevitably unfolded in the context of the Arab Spring, the brutal internal logic of an encrusted regime, and the vested interests of foreign powers. Van Dam's insights from old and new Syria make this book a valuable guide in the complex web of this worst conflict of our century. We get a taste of the difficult search for a new social contract and a political solution in Syria - if this is still possible before the state fails.' - Carsten Wieland, author of Syria: A Decade of Lost Chances, 'Nikolaos van Dam is simply one of the top experts on Syria. Setting the Syrian conflict within its historical and contemporary contexts, he draws on his unique combination of scholarly excellence and practical diplomatic experience. This book is a sophisticated, yet accessible and readable analysis of a highly complex situation. It substantially updates and advances our understanding of the ever evolving war in Syria.' - David W. Lesch, Ewing Halsell Distinguished Professor of History at Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas and author of Syria: The Fall of the House of Assad.Table of ContentsPreface 1 Introduction 2 Ba’thist history before the Syrian Revolution (2011) 3 Could the War in Syria have been avoided? 4 Confrontation between the military of the regime and the opposition 5 The ambivalent Western approach to the Syria conflict 6 Intra-Syrian talks but no negotiations 7 Conclusions Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisSir Winston Churchill remains a British hero, lauded for his oratorical skill. He wrote histories, biographies, memoirs, and even a novel, while his journalism, speeches and broadcasts run to millions of words. From 1940 he inspired and united the British people and guided their war effort. Behind the public figure, however, was a man of vast humanity and enormous wit. His most famous speeches and sayings have passed into history but many of his aphorisms, puns and jokes are less well-known. This enchanting collection brings together hundreds of his wittiest remarks as a record of all that was best about this endearing, conceited, talented and wildly funny Englishman.Also available in the series:(9781782433651) The Wicked Wit of Queen Elizabeth II(9781782435426) The Wicked Wit of Oscar Wilde(9781782435662) The Wicked Wit of Jane Austen

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Book Synopsis"An intoxicating read. You'll want to consume it twice." —A.J. Baime, New York Times bestselling author of The Accidental President and Dewey Defeats TrumanA fun little book packed with historic Churchill information, drinking companions, locations, and preferences, as well as plenty of cocktail recipes! Churchill was seldom short of a witty remark, and made his views on drinking quite well-known: “I have taken far more out of alcohol than alcohol has taken out of me.” When feeling down he said he felt like “a bottle of champagne . . . left uncorked for the night.” And when encouraging a young government minister to indulge in another drink, he promised, “Go ahead, I won’t write it in my diary.”Divided into four sections—Drink Choices, Drinking Companions, Drinking Spots, and Drink Recipes—this book will keep readers turning the pages of fresh and fun material as they lift a drink along with Winston. The book will also focus on the various eras—from the 1910s through the 1960s—the times in which he was drinking alone and with others. Working with the historic companies that kept him refreshed, it will include vintage advertisements and marketing material from their closely guarded archives.Winston certainly drank with a colorful cast of characters, and you’ll glimpse those such as FDR, Stalin, Coco Chanel, Charlie Chaplin, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and various other kings, queens, dukes, and duchesses. Among the elegant settings we will pop in and out of for a drink include Hearst Castle, Chanel’s house in the South of France, the Ritz Hotel in Paris, the Dorchester in London, Monaco, the Savoy, the Biltmore, and of course the bars and first-class cabins of the famed ocean liners the Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mary. So raise a glass and join us in toasting Churchill’s life and unique abilities!Trade Review"An intoxicating read. You'll want to consume it twice. . . . We've all been asked the question: If you could have a drink with anyone, who would it be? Churchill should be high on anyone's list, and that's what this book is: a round of your favorite with the man himself, a deep dive into the life of the man where other biographies don't go." —A.J. Baime, New York Times bestselling author of The Accidental President and Dewey Defeats Truman "When Winston Churchill was fighting them on the beaches, he only surrendered to his favorite Champagne (and other punchy libations). Churchill’s fave drinks and lots of fun anecdotes are yours in Churchill: A Drinking Life. This entertaining and, dare I say, bubbly book won’t give you a hangover. Cheers to Churchill!" —Jack Ohman, Pulitzer Prizewinning Editorial Cartoonist, The Sacramento Bee "A breezy informal fun recounting of Winston Churchill’s favorite drinks as well as where and with whom he liked to have a glass. It is nicely presented with several photographs and many illustrations. In terms of what Churchill liked to drink the authors cover Champagne, Whisky, Brandy, Cognac, Gin, Wine, and Port; drinking companions include Lord Beaverbrook, Franklin Roosevelt, and Aristotle Onassis; and where he liked to drink include Claridge’s, Chartwell, and The Savoy. . . . Churchill, A Drinking Life is an enjoyable light-hearted “wander through Winston’s liquor cabinet.” —Bradley P. Tolppanen, Winston Churchill Bllog

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Book SynopsisIn 1969, an eruption of armed violence traumatized Northern Ireland and transformed a period of street protest over civil rights into decades of paramilitary warfare by republicans and loyalists. In this evocative memoir, Malachi O'Doherty not only recounts his experiences of living through the Troubles, but also recalls a revolution in his lifetime. However, it wasn't the bloody revolution that was shown on TV but rather the slow reshaping of the culture of Northern Ireland - a real revolution that was entirely overshadowed by the conflict.Incorporating interviews with political, professional and paramilitary figures, O'Doherty draws a profile of an era that produced real social change, comparing and contrasting it with today, and asks how frail is the current peace as Brexit approaches, protest is back on the streets and violence is simmering in both republican and loyalist camps.Trade ReviewTimely and hugely absorbing... A beautifully layered and engaging profile of Northern Ireland as it reels into the 21st century. * The Herald *A personal, humane and very readable reflection on the profound changes that have occurred in the North during the half-century since the emergence of conflict in 1969. * TLS *An essential and fascinating memoir which also doubles as an important historical and social reference, shining a light into aspects of life here that sometimes are overshadowed by conflict. * Máiría Cahill, journalist and political activist *A superbly written and thought-provoking book, replete with Malachi O'Doherty's expert observations on how the past can be a catalyst for both change and continuity. * Aaron Edwards, author of UVF: Behind the Mask *Fifty Years On explores changes wrought in Northern Ireland by a half century of political and social ferment, not only the Troubles and their aftermath but also the growing secularisation of society... In this highly readable and up-to-date book, the author proves himself an astute and tireless chronicler of his times. * Linda Anderson, co-editor of Female Lines: New Writing by Women from Northern Ireland *Malachi O'Doherty's fascinating and intimate account of the outbreak of the Troubles is compelling. He skilfully weaves his personal family history through the layers of turmoil engulfing his city. * Yvette Shapiro, journalist, commentator and TV producer *In this widely diverse book, O'Doherty's subject matter includes: the tensions within the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association, the split within republicanism, the slide into armed conflict, the IRA, the Loyalists, sexism, abortion, gay rights and Brexit... What does shine is the lucidity and persuasiveness of his arguments. He made me stop and think. I like that. * Richard O’Rawe, biographer and novelist *Fifty Years On is a compellingly personal alternative history of a turbulent half century... This thoughtful personal chronicle of how a society has changed in the adult lifetime of one man is witty, poignant and beautifully written. * Sam McBride, political editor, Belfast News Letter *Table of Contents1: The Sixties and Me 2: Trouble in the Background 3: Remembering Civil Rights 4: Revolution in the Air 5: The Tilt towards War 6: Revolutionary and Moderate 7: The Troubles Tour 8: The Past in the Present 9: Women's Rights Movement 10: Boys Will Be Boys 11: Whose Body Is It Anyway? 12: Fighting for Life 13: Pride 14: A Fair Cop 15: Loyal Rebels 16: Sick Society or Bad Men?

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Book SynopsisThe Blair Years is the most compelling and revealing account of contemporary politics you will ever read. Taken from Alastair Campbell''s daily diaries, it charts the rise of New Labour and the tumultuous years of Tony Blair''s leadership, providing the first important record of a remarkable decade in our national life. Here are the defining events of our time, from Labour''s new dawn to the war on terror, from the death of Diana to negotiations for peace in Northern Ireland, from Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq, through to the Hutton Inquiry of 2003, the year Campbell resigned his position at No 10. But above all here is Tony Blair up close and personal, taking the decisions that affected the lives of millions, under relentless and often hostile pressure. Often described as the second most powerful figure in Britain, Alastair Campbell is no stranger to controversy. Feared and admired in equal measure, hated by some, he was pivotal to the founding of New Labour aTrade ReviewThis is a gripping, compelling and genuinely revelatory read * Rod Liddle, Sunday Times *A brilliant, absorbing account ... will be gasped at, and relied upon, for decades to come. Buy them: they will suck you in. * Matthew Parris, The Times *This compelling read is full of revelations, humour and honesty and gives a revealing insight into the man behind the political figure * Sun *Vivid, humorous and revelatory ... There is enough in these diaries to convince me they will become one of the classic records of our time. * Steve Richards, Independent *

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Book SynopsisA Welshman among the English, a nonconformist among Anglicans and a self-made man in the patrician corridors of power, David Lloyd George, the last Liberal Prime Minister of Great Britain, was the founding father of the Welfare State and was as great a peacetime leader as Churchill was in war. In this fascinating biography of an authentic radical, Roy Hattersley charts the great reforms - the first old age pension, sick pay and unemployment benefit - of which Lloyd George was architect, and also sheds light on the complexities of a man who was both a tireless champion of the poor, and a restless philanderer who was addicted to living dangerously.

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Book SynopsisAs a young civil servant, Caroline Slocock became the first ever female private secretary to any British Prime Minister, and was at Margaret Thatcher's side for the final eighteen months of her premiership. A left-wing feminist, Slocock was no natural ally - and yet she became fascinated by the woman behind the `Iron Lady' facade and by how she dealt with a world dominated by men. As events inexorably led to Margaret Thatcher's downfall, Slocock observed the vulnerabilities and contradictions of the woman considered by many to be the ultimate anti-feminist. When Thatcher eventually resigned, brought down by her closest political allies, Slocock was the only woman present to witness the astonishing scenes in the Cabinet Room. Had Thatcher been a man, it would have ended very differently, Slocock feels. Now, in this vivid first-hand account, based on her diaries from the time and interviews with other key Downing Street personnel, Slocock paints a nuanced portrait of a woman who to this day is routinely demonised in sexist ways. Reflecting on the challenges women still face in public life, Slocock concludes it's time to rewrite how we portray powerful women and for women to set aside politics and accept that Margaret Thatcher was `one of us'. A remarkable political and personal memoir, People Like Us charts life inside Thatcher's No. 10 during its dying days and reflects on women and power then and now.

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Book SynopsisThe speed of Rishi Sunak's advance to 10 Downing Street is without precedent in modern British politics. In mid-2019, he was an unknown junior minister; seven months later, he became Chancellor of the Exchequer; and by October 2022, he had secured the highest office in the land. Aged forty-two, he was Britain's youngest Prime Minister in more than 200 years. Michael Ashcroft's biography - first published in 2020 and now fully revised and updated - charts Sunak's ascent to the University of Oxford, the City of London, Silicon Valley and Westminster before assuming the most powerful job in the country in chaotic circumstances. It is the story of a clever and hard-working son of immigrant parents who marries an heiress and makes a fortune of his own; a polished southerner who wins over the voters of North Yorkshire; a fiscal conservative who becomes the biggest-spending Chancellor in history; and a fastidious political operator tasked with reuniting the Conservative Party and repairing an economy in flux. Casting new light on Sunak's tense working relationship with his predecessor, Boris Johnson, All to Play For shows what makes him tick ahead of a general election whose outcome will have profound consequences for Britain.

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