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Rake's Progress
- My Life in Politics
- Narrated by: Rachel Johnson
- Length: 6 hrs and 39 mins
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Rake's Progress
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Summary
A unique, revealing and entertaining insight into the political dramas of recent times.
Rachel Johnson was born into what has been described by some as the UK’s most famous political family 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 referendum to leave the EU 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, Boris, was making his final assault on Downing Street. As some joked, she went into politics to spend more time with her family.
Rake’s Progress tells the extraordinary story of what happened next. From long silences on the radio when asked tricky policy questions to loud curses from David Cameron during tennis matches, Rachel reveals all about her brief political career. Taking on Ann Widdecombe and the Brexit Party, would she and her party make history – or become a forgotten footnote in the rolling omnishambles of British politics?
Beyond her own story, Rake’s Progress highlights the importance of standing up for your beliefs and the challenges of life in the public eye and takes the listener behind the scenes, from the campaign trail to the ‘Westminster bubble’ and the carpeted corridors of power. Written with great honesty and self-deprecating humour, this is an audiobook that reveals the very human side of politics.
Critic reviews
"Fabulously indiscreet and funny...I loved it." (Gaby Hinsliff, Observer)
"Spectacular. The only honest thing I've ever come across about political campaigning." (P. J. O'Rourke)
"There will be weightier political tomes this year than Rake’s Progress, but you will not find one more entertaining." (Roger Alton, Daily Mail)
What listeners say about Rake's Progress
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- Anonymous User
- 08-02-22
Honest and Funny
A really interesting story with some proper
laughs.
Heartfelt and Honest , throughly recommend an interesting life , some fantastic experiences shared .
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jenny Cutler
- 23-05-20
Thrilled that Rachel read her story.
I loved this so much. Couldn't put it down. Such a self-deprecating, modest, fun and very clever woman. The end is fabulous. What Al said to her. Makes up for everything else he's ever done or said in haste. It's an important background to the logistics of the politial world and who it attracts into it.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- notlobs
- 02-04-20
Fab insight and very entertaining
I thoroughly enjoyed this, interesting, honest and insightful, well written and well read by Ms Johnson. Definitely recommend, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. You will also gain a couple of great new words which hopefully will also now be added to the English dictionary.
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- Michael Kallenbach
- 20-11-20
Interesting —- an excellent tale
I couldn’t stop listening to this. The author reads with warmth and vigour and is an excellent story teller. Loads of amusing moments during a tale of losers and winners It’s certainly worth listening to from start to finish. Rachel tells it as it is ..
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Lakeskip
- 27-04-21
How very down to Earth and normal she is.
I downloaded this after watching Rachel on Britain’s Best Home Cook (!) The book is a very honest record of her attempt to stop Brexit. Will look for more of her stuff.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Jackie
- 23-03-20
from a Brexiteer
Really enjoyed this well read,very funny and a great story.
look forward to reading other book by Rake.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Louise
- 22-02-21
Engaging and funny
I really enjoyed this book. As always, Rachel is funny, articulate and very engaging. I really liked her anecdotes about her childhood. As always, she is polite and pleasant about people who have clearly been less than friendly towards her (Ann Widdecombe).
This is definitely worthy of a listen, regardless of where your politics lie.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 06-08-20
Great listen
Fantastic. I didn't know to much about Rachel before listening to her book. I seen her on CBB and read a few of her articles. Rachel should be proud of everything she has achieved. Her talents are not compatible to her families. Carry on being you.
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- Mr. N. C. Angel
- 26-07-20
Highly entertaining
A hugely entertaining romp through a dismal period of history. Rachel J is a fine humourist, but gets in some enjoyable jabs at her great nemesis, Miss Widdecombe, and the grim figure of Chuka Umunna ... whose folly it was to hire RJ as lead candidate for Change UK in the first place. Despite her efforts to keep things soufflé light, there’s some real depth here too - genuine anger at the B****t debacle, and anguish at her beloved bro’s recklessness. Enjoyably indiscreet, and the description of Cameron’s tennis swearing is worth the price of admission alone. It’s pretty short, and the occasional fluff in reading was not remedied, but if you’re already inclined to like RJ then you’ll probably like this too.
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- Herts lady
- 05-08-22
Fantastic
Insight into one of the most influential families in the UK of my life time . Loved the fact it was read by the author themselves
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