{"product_id":"rakes-progress-9781471190438","title":"Rakes Progress","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eA unique, revealing and entertaining insight into the political dramas of recent times.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eRachel Johnson\u003c\/b\u003e was born into what has been described by some as \u003cb\u003ethe UK’s most famous political family\u003c\/b\u003e, and by others as ‘Poundshop Kennedys’. She was always keen to avoid the family business at all costs and plough her own furrow as a broadcaster, novelist and journalist. But, after the \u003cb\u003ereferendum to leave the EU\u003c\/b\u003e in 2016, she felt the heavy hand of fate. When an insurgent centre party burst onto the scene in 2019, she felt compelled to stand for something rather than nothing – which happened to be just as her own older brother, \u003cb\u003eBoris\u003c\/b\u003e, was making his final assault on \u003cb\u003eDowning Street\u003c\/b\u003e. As some joked, she went into politics to spend \u003ci\u003emore \u003c\/i\u003etime with her family.\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eRake’s Progress \u003c\/i\u003etells the extraordinary story of what happened next. From long silences on the radio when asked tricky policy question\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'\u003cb\u003eGod I wish Rachel was prime minister.\u003c\/b\u003e She is at her funniest telling jokes against herself, and this story is packed with them on every page. In fact, \u003cb\u003eI shrieked throughout\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cb\u003eher clever book\u003c\/b\u003e, which is populated by some of the ghastliest people in the country, several of whom are not members of her own family. Reading it \u003cb\u003eis like being invited to a deliciously gossipy party, with the wonderful benefit of not having to actually meet in person any of the complete horrors involved\u003c\/b\u003e. Rachel is one of my very favourite picaresque heroines, who sees the humour in every situation – a gift as much as a necessity in her life.' -- Marina Hyde\u003cbr\u003e'\u003cb\u003eFabulously indiscreet and funny\u003c\/b\u003e...I should have loathed this book, but I'm afraid \u003cb\u003eI loved it\u003c\/b\u003e. It is sheer \u003cb\u003egossipy joy\u003c\/b\u003e, the perfect escape from a fug of coronavirus anxiety...\u003cb\u003eThe definition of guilty pleasure\u003c\/b\u003e' -- Gaby Hinsliff * Observer *\u003cbr\u003e'There will be weightier political tomes this year than \u003ci\u003eRake’s Progress\u003c\/i\u003e, but \u003cb\u003eyou will not read one more entertaining\u003c\/b\u003e. Johnson is a \u003cb\u003egifted writer\u003c\/b\u003e, playful, self-deprecating and far more \u003cb\u003etalented\u003c\/b\u003e than she gives herself credit for....a \u003cb\u003ewonderfully funny\u003c\/b\u003e account of Rachel’s arrival into political activism as a passionate pro-European.' -- Roger Alton * Daily Mail *\u003cbr\u003e'\u003cb\u003eI’m bats about her marvellous writing\u003c\/b\u003e' -- Jilly Cooper\u003cbr\u003e'\u003cb\u003eSpectacular. The only honest thing I've ever read about political campaigning. \u003c\/b\u003eRachel Johnson, compelled by broad moral principle and close personal involvement, descends from the bright air of feature journalism to the dark ground of practical politics... After reading \u003ci\u003eRake’s Progress\u003c\/i\u003e you’ll never think of running for office the same way. Indeed, you’ll never think of running for office at all.'    -- P.J.O'Rourke\u003cbr\u003e'\u003cb\u003eA terrific read\u003c\/b\u003e' -- Emily Maitlis\u003cbr\u003e'A riot and a riveting read about one woman's doomed battle against Brexit from within the Prime Minister's own family.' -- Amanda Craig\u003cbr\u003e'This memoir is remarkable for its radical honesty.' -- David Sexton * Evening Standard *\u003cbr\u003e'Reads \u003cb\u003emore like a romp\u003c\/b\u003e than a political tome...There is a \u003cb\u003elot of fun\u003c\/b\u003e here, though, largely because Rachel is not worried about causing offence.' -- Rosamund Irwin * Sunday Times *\u003cbr\u003e'\u003cb\u003eIncredibly funny and indiscreet\u003c\/b\u003e' -- India Knight\u003cbr\u003e'Love them or loathe them, the British answer to the Kennedys...are never beige. \u003cb\u003eEntertaining\u003c\/b\u003e.' -- Patrick Kidd * The Times *\u003cbr\u003e'\u003ci\u003eRake’s Progress\u003c\/i\u003e is about how she failed to get herself elected at the same time as her brother Boris strolled effortlessly into Number 10. It’s \u003cb\u003efull of slapstick\u003c\/b\u003e and faux pas and nearly-missed planes...What she gives us is a \u003cb\u003ewildly entertaining\u003c\/b\u003e look at the workings of British democracy' -- Frances Wilson * The Oldie *\u003cbr\u003e'\u003cb\u003eVery funny\u003c\/b\u003e and self deprecating and there's a lot about the Johnson family, who provide a lot of entertainment for the author and us all. \u003cb\u003eHighly recommended\u003c\/b\u003e.' -- Iain Dale","brand":"Simon \u0026 Schuster Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49408697139543,"sku":"9781471190438","price":999.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/rakes-progress-9781471190438","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}