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Precipice

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Precipice

By: Robert Harris
Narrated by: Samuel West
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES NUMBER ONE BESTSELLING AUTHOR

Summer 1914. A world on the brink of catastrophe.

In London, 26-year-old Venetia Stanley – aristocratic, clever, bored, reckless – is having a love affair with the Prime Minister, H. H. Asquith, a man more than twice her age. He writes to her obsessively, sharing the most sensitive matters of state.

As Asquith reluctantly leads the country into war with Germany, a young intelligence officer is assigned to investigate a leak of top secret documents – and suddenly what was a sexual intrigue becomes a matter of national security that will alter the course of political history.

Seamlessly weaving fact and fiction in a way that no writer does better, Precipice is the thrilling new novel from Robert Harris.

‘A riveting tale of politics, war and erotic obsession’ Sunday Times

'Harris writes with a skill and ingenuity that few other novelists can match' Financial Times

©2024 Robert Harris (P)2024 Penguin Audio

 20th Century Espionage Historical Historical Fiction Spies & Politics Suspense Thriller & Suspense World War I Exciting War

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Critic reviews

I’m not fond of the word masterpiece, but this is a masterpiece (Nigella Lawson)
Gripping drama (Jake Kerridge)
Brilliantly blurring fact and fiction, Sunday Times bestselling author Robert Harris is back in full force
Fans of this hugely popular author should lap up this tale that mixes fact with fiction, as is his trademark
'A beautifully crafted novel . . . a dexterous blend of the political and the personal . . . Precipice is Robert Harris's 16th novel, and there hasn’t been a dud among them' (Allan Massie)
Precipice hones in on those vital summer days when Britain hovered on the brink of war, before plunging into the abyss that arguably destroyed European civilisation
Robert Harris is one of those authors you know you can rely on. His 16th novel, Precipice, is no exception
Robert Harris is a sort of genius . . . I am knocked out by the assurance of his portrait of a time, a relationship, and the perils to which Britain’s leader exposed himself amidst a supreme historic catastrophe. The book is yet another triumph for the author (Max Hastings)
Few have mastered the alchemy of the popular historical novel quite like Harris
Rollicking . . . Harris’s best book since Conclave
All stars
Most relevant
Harris takes the extraordinary correspondence between PM & aristocrat and runs with it - even having to admit that a few of the coincidences this throws up are a little far-fetched . Enjoyment greatly enhanced by Sam West’s reading - perfectly pitched.

Enjoy Sam West’s Winston Churchill

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I enjoyed the creation of the other side of the love affair. Venetia Stanley kept PM Asquith’s letters to her and Harris successfully recreates her letters to him. Half fiction half reality, this book is the catalogue of an affair during the build up and the beginning of WW1 when Asquith has clearly lost all sense of reason and responsibility. His behaviour is flabbergasting but very revealing. I was hooked.

Stunning write up of a disastrous affair.

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what a clever balance of fiction and non fiction composed in a member that is gripping and exciting. I finished this over a day as I was left intrigued and curious.
WW1 is a point in time I had never learnt about, this has left me intrigued and inspired to learn more.
Brilliantly narrated.
Highly recommend!

Brilliantly written novel

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Very absorbing, factual based account of the lead up to The Great War. I didn’t know of Asquith’s behaviour, found it incredible that he (essentially) got away with it. The privilege of class, whilst the masses died.

Great story, great narration, UNBELIVABLY buffoon-like politicians.

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Well worth listening to. Incredible almost unbelievable information based on truth in the history of ww1

Very interesting & beautifully orated.

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