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Inside Story: Politics, Intrigue and Treachery from Thatcher to Brexit
- Narrated by: Philip Webster
- Length: 13 hrs and 24 mins
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Inside Story: Politics, Intrigue and Treachery from Thatcher to Brexit
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Summary
From one of the greatest political journalists of recent times, an insider's account of four decades of covering the British political scene, packed with tales of the biggest political happenings of the last half century.
Philip Webster covered politics for The Times newspaper for 43 years, including 18 years as its political editor. He has been at the centre of all the big stories of the past four decades - the fall of Labour in 1979, the rise and fall of Margaret Thatcher, the emergence and fall of John Major, the rise and fall of Tony Blair and his wars with Gordon Brown, the aftermath of 9/11, the war in Iraq, the fall of Brown, the rise and rise of David Cameron and the shock election of Jeremy Corbyn.
Webster offers fresh insight into the great stories of his time. He gives a frank and revelatory insider's account of great political events since Michael Heseltine brandished the Mace, the night the Callaghan government fell, the day Sir Geoffrey Howe brought down Margaret Thatcher, the day Tony Blair said farewell, the night MPs voted for war in Iraq and every Budget and autumn statement for 40 years.
With the wit and geniality that has made him so many friends in politics, he reveals how stories came into his hands and how political journalism influences events as they unfolded. He has witnessed what he terms a golden age of political journalism, and this book offers an intimate account of his trade. The essential handbook for anyone interested by the craft of journalism, Inside Story reviews three decades of lead stories and the many politicians, great and small, he has encountered.
Critic reviews
"Philip Webster is a journalist of real intelligence and integrity with an ability to get on with all sides of the political spectrum." (Alastair Campbell)
"One of the greatest political journalists of my lifetime." (Fraser Nelson, editor of The Spectator)
"A brilliant journalist." (Tony Blair)
What listeners say about Inside Story: Politics, Intrigue and Treachery from Thatcher to Brexit
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Helen W
- 02-05-17
Fascinating
A wonderfully entertaining read, perfectly narrated by the author. Insightful, impartial informative and totally fascinating.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 08-12-16
Fascinating insight, after the event, of so much in politics over the last 40 years.
Well observed intrigue. The background stories were really fascinating. I felt that I knew the characters much better after listening to this book.
It a 'long listen' and great for flights and car journeys.
I would recommend it to anyone who want the background to so many political events of the last 40+ years.
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Andrew Brehaut
- 17-01-24
Insight into how journalism and politics work together.
A fascinating insight into the machinations of the UK political scene utilising a wonderful palette of indomitable characters and events.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- C. J. Lyons
- 20-04-20
Fascinating portrait of our political times
Mr Webster describes recent political history with insight. His delivery is a little flat, but doesn't obscure the terrific stories he has to tell.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- MR ALAN SUTHERLAND
- 04-04-18
A life in political journalism
Phillip Webster does a wonderful job of summarising the great stories of his career in an informative, professional and balanced way. But this is not dull by any means, nor is it gossip. Through his unique journalistic ‘voice’ and the choice of events that he describes, he takes the reader on a journey that is both engaging and illuminating. He manages (somehow often between the lines) to give the reader a sense of how he actually saw the events and perhaps felt about the personalities involved. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in recent politics, as it adds a fascinating, important dimension.
My only criticism is that whilst he often does explore the challenges of maintaining a high standard of ethical journalism whilst also being in close (often friendly) relationships with the politicians involved, I was left wondering about the depth of this self reflection, and his objectivity. In the end I couldn’t quite make up my mind to what extent he might actually have been groomed by some politicians and seduced by his proximity to power - perhaps more than he acknowledged or allowed himself to be aware of.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- MR ADJ DAVIES
- 13-11-23
Excellent all round
Very nicely read; short chapters; great insights. Really enjoyed this well articulated journey down memory lane.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Baron Marc F. Burca
- 03-09-18
House of the People
Thoroughly enjoyable and impartial. Comment without being patronising. At the end of the book I am still not sure of the writer s opinions but I feel better informed and entertained.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Kevin Loomes
- 16-10-17
Decent story spoiled by narrator
What could have been a good listen was made challenging to listen to by the author deciding to narrate his own book. The right narrator can make or break a book - no matter how good the book is.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Thomas H.
- 02-08-18
Brilliant, wonderfully written
Wow. What a delight. As much insight as you could possibly wish for, direct from a man who was right in the thick of it for several decades.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Abaloo
- 17-07-19
Excellent
A great listen through an incredible period of politics, very much recommended to any interested in politics.
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