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  • House of Cards

  • House of Cards Trilogy, Book 1
  • By: Michael Dobbs
  • Narrated by: Samuel West
  • Length: 10 hrs and 37 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (298 ratings)
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House of Cards

By: Michael Dobbs
Narrated by: Samuel West
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Summary

The acclaimed political thriller that first introduced the unforgettable Francis Urquhart MP and launched Michael Dobbs’ No 1 bestselling career.

Michael Dobbs’ entertaining tale of skulduggery and intrigue within the Palace of Westminster has been a huge hit with the public. Its scheming hero, Chief Whip Francis Urquhart, who uses fair means and foul to become Prime Minister, is one of the best-known characters of the last decade – the politician we all love to hate.

Acclaimed for its authenticity and insights into a secret world – the result of many years working behind the scenes for the Conservative Party – it became a highly popular, award-winning BBC TV series, with Francis Urquhart memorably portrayed by Ian Richardson, and was followed by two further sequels, ‘To Play the King’ and ‘The Final Cut’, which also became top-rating TV series.

©2018 Michael Dobbs (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic reviews

‘This blood-and-thunder tale, lifelike and thoroughly cynical, certainly carries the ring of authenticity… a great triumph.’ Independent

‘The exciting thriller that has Westminster buzzing. Here is a political thriller writer with a marvellous inside track knowledge of government. House of Cards is fast-moving, revelatory and brilliant.’ Daily Express

What listeners say about House of Cards

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Time to lay the cards on the table

This production of House Of Cards is excellently done. Samuel West does a brilliant job portraying all the various figures and showing the infighting explode from a version of late 80s and early 90s Conservative Party government. The book is definitely well written as being authored by a figure who was previously heavily involved in the aforementioned political party allows the scheming and backstabbing to come across as very realistic given the personalities of the characters.

This first book in the series also allows its main newspaper figure and all of her glory moments and mistakes or...almost all of them to be at least understandable even if the reader believes they wouldn't make the same mistakes themselves. I loved listening to this version of the first book much like I loved the original late 80s BBC TV adaptation and plan to listen to the other books in the series very soon. They are already ordered. Consider this review a hearty endorsement of this book and the series if you enjoy political scheming and sabotage.

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9 people found this helpful

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excellent - a wicked insight into British Estab.

Gripping from start to finish. Best narrator on your books. Can't wait for book 2

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4 people found this helpful

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Fabulous from beginning to the end

What a treat to find myself in the company of the dastardly Francis for over 10 hours of delicious conspiracy, intrigue and murder. Could see Ian Richardson striding majestically through the corridors of power as if I was watching the series all over again. Samuel West makes the narrative come to life and I am so happy to be back in the past with a novel that evokes all the mystique with which we view the murky world of politics - and how apt it is for the way we feel now!!! Need I say more?? Now I have no choice but to purchase the remaining books and drop them into my library for many more hours of skullduggery. Delicious concept and one that perhaps you should contemplate for yourselves. Happy listening indeed.

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3 people found this helpful

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Brilliant story fantastic narration

Samual West brings the story alive. Is it the best audio book I've heard... I couldn't possibly comment.

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3 people found this helpful

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Brilliant

Quite simply the best political drama I have ever read. Pure genius. I highly recommend.

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2 people found this helpful

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Modern classic, beautifully narrated

it doesn't get much better than this. House of Cards is a fantastic story written by a genuine Downing Street Insider during the Thatcher years. Note it ud set in the UK and bears little relation to the vastly inferior US tv series. it is well plotted and beautifully written. Samuel West's narration is top-notch. You might think you detect a nod to the late great Ian Richardson in his rendering of Francis Urquhart, but i couldn't possibly comment.

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2 people found this helpful

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Excellent narrator

I had watched this on tv with Ian Richardson. So listened thinking it would need a good story teller to convince to carry on. Samuel West’s narration was excellent and Urquhart was Ian Richardson again for me.

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1 person found this helpful

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The perfect audio book

Have listened to it several times. Great narration you won’t get better. Sam west is pitch perfect.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great listen

Loved it, would really to anyone for a insightful at time’s humour out view of political shenanigans.

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Gripping experience

Although broadly familiar with the plotline (after seeing parts of both the US and British version of the TV series) the book still managed to compel me to finish it in a few days. Great detail and competently read, although it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between characters due to the narrator using similar voices for several characters.

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