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Frankly

The Sunday Times bestselling memoir from Scotland's first female and longest-serving First Minister

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About this listen

Compellingly read by the author, Nicola Sturgeon.

‘A triumph. Frankly is the most insightful and stylishly open memoir by a politician since Barack Obama’s Dreams From My Father’
Andrew O’Hagan

'Nicola Sturgeon tells her remarkable story with great skill and unflinching honesty'
Alan Johnson

The enduring popularity of Nicola Sturgeon, the first female and longest-serving First Minister of Scotland, was a rare constant in an era marked by Brexit, Covid and five different UK prime ministers. Previously, as ‘Yes Minister’ and Deputy Leader of the SNP, she helped to bring Scotland to the brink of independence, overseeing the Yes campaign in the independence referendum of 2014.

In this deeply personal memoir, Sturgeon recounts her journey from working-class Ayrshire to the steps of Bute House. Revealing the person behind the politician, she explores the schism between her private and public personas: one painfully shy and self-critical, the other a consummate public performer. And yet, she pulls no punches, candidly recounting her interactions with figures including Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Donald Trump, and Alex Salmond – her mentor and, ultimately, her staunch adversary.

Full of the verve and wit that made Sturgeon one of the most high-profile politicians in the UK, this is a unique blend of personal insight and captivating vignettes. Infused throughout with a love of Scotland and its people, it discusses Sturgeon’s mistakes, her battles, and her triumphs with candid honesty. Frankly is the compelling story of no ordinary politician.

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Critic reviews

Nicola Sturgeon is the council house kid who became one of Europe's most successful politicians. Here she tells her remarkable story with great skill and unflinching honesty (Alan Johnson, bestselling author of This Boy and former British Home Secretary)
A triumph. Truly searching, truly frank, an excavation not only of what has been crucial in Sturgeon’s life and in our political times but in what I would call the interior life of our generation. Frankly is the most insightful and stylishly open memoir by a politician since Barack Obama’s Dreams From My Father (Andrew O'Hagan, bestselling author of Mayflies and Caledonian Road)
How often has a working-class girl from Ayrshire risen to the highest office in Scotland and become a world leader who stood firmly for the dignity of her nation? Once, so far. Nicola is the first. She not only accompanied us through pivotal, decisive moments in British history, in many cases, she was their proponent. In compelling, clear-eyed, and self-critical prose, Frankly gives us a riveting, deeply human portrait of a woman coming into her power and reflecting on her battles, triumphs and defeats. Sturgeon’s voice is an essential account of our time and the collective fate of our nation. I was both enlightened and enthralled (Douglas Stuart, bestselling author of Shuggie Bain)
Few women throughout history have occupied higher political office than Nicola Sturgeon. Once described as the most dangerous woman in Britain, this candid and unpretentious memoir is a riveting account from one of Scotland’s most distinguished daughters. A woman of remarkable substance, integrity and resilience. A must read by any standards (Shirley Manson, lead singer of Garbage)
An amazing achievement. Nicola Sturgeon manages to write dispassionately about her life’s passion, and mindfully about experiences that could have broken her. Even the iniquities of the patriarchy she endured are recounted with fairness and compassion – qualities that made her the great leader she was and the strong, resilient and happy woman she is today (Alan Cumming, actor, writer and presenter)
To have been in the room with the First Minister of Scotland during the crises of Brexit and Covid was to have witnessed, at first hand, a political leader at the height of her formidable powers. Now, in this highly personal account, you too can be alongside Nicola Sturgeon on her remarkable journey (Mark Drakeford, former First Minister of Wales)
Candid . . . fascinating
Lively . . . often moving
She is an entertaining storyteller, with a good eye for detail
All stars
Most relevant
To hear Nicola tell her story was just fantastic, I listened over 3 days and will listen again at some point
The balance between humility, pride and passion for Scotland is outstanding.


This is an exceptional woman who is not finished yet

Brilliant content and narration

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I found Frankly quite engrossing in that it gives, I think, a historically significant first-hand account of the trials, tribulations and thinking in the Scottish & UK political scene in the years before, during and after the Scottish Independence Referendum. I am not an SNP supporter but warmed to Nicola Sturgeon as a person during her handling of the Covid crisis. In this memoir she pours out her soul as to her thoughts, feelings and motivation during her political career from her earliest involvement in 1986 through to her resignation in 2023. Whatever you do with your life going forward Nicola, I wish you well !

Fascinating and compelling insight

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Listening to this on and off for a few weeks as i went about my life was calming as it was captivating. Finally getting to hear from Nicola herself, is both refreshing and deeply personal. She inspires a self determination in her writing whilst still being very human that a lot of autobiographies lack. I found myself very much relating to her early life, to her struggles, mental health and losses. This woman, being human, is the best of us. Thank you for all you have done, for writing this book and being venerable in a very harsh divisive world.

I'll never not love this book. <3

Independent and Inspiring

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I’ve always admired Nicola Sturgeon. My most clear memory of Covid was when she shared how she coloured her own hair in the bathroom. Not only funny but so typical of her down to earth character.
Her experiences at the hands of UK Gov during the pandemic lend weight to her cause. I hope she finds her way back into the fray with less workload and toxicity attached. And success.
A fantastic book. I couldn’t switch it off once started.
PS I’m English..

A great politician and extraordinary woman

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I absolutely loved listening to this autobiography. The episode of the Independence Vote and Brexit stirred many emotions. The Scottish people were robbed and the Europeans who had dedicated to living, working and bringing their family up here were well and truly treated awfully by the Westminster Government. I was distraught after the Brexit vote. I was comforted after receiving a letter through the post by the Scotland Government reassuring us Europeans that we were valued citizens of Scotland and that our contribution did not go unnoticed. That is when I started to attend meetings chaired by Nicola providing that the Scotland Government was doing everything within their power to secure our stay. Sadly UK Government turned that into a mess and I just decided to apply for citizenship to guarantee that I wouldn't lose my right to remain here where my family. Thank you Nicola. You were an outstanding 1st Minister

Exceptional

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