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Speaking Out

Lessons in Life and Politics

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Speaking Out

By: Ed Balls
Narrated by: Ed Balls
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'Witty, reflective and engaging' Nick Robinson

'Honest and revealing' Michael Palin

'Fascinating, heartfelt' Kay Burley

'Insightful, funny, unexpectedly moving' Jonathan Freedland

On the night of 7 May 2015, Ed Balls thought there was a chance he would wake up the next morning as the new Chancellor of the Exchequer. Instead, he woke up without a job.

Twenty-one years earlier he had left a promising career in journalism to work for Labour in opposition. Moving through the ranks, from adviser to Cabinet minister and on to Shadow Chancellor, he occupied a central and influential position in and out of power during a pivotal period in British history.

Speaking Out is a record of a life in politics, but also much more. It is about how power can be used for good, and the lessons to be learned when things go wrong. It is about the mechanics of Westminster, and of government. It is about facing up to your fears and misgivings, and tackling your limitations – on stages public and private.

It is about the mistakes made, change delivered and personalities encountered over the course of two decades at the frontline of British politics. It is a unique window into a rarely seen world. Most importantly, it sets out what politics is about, and why it matters.

 Elections & Political Process Europe Great Britain Politicians Politics & Activism Politics & Government World England Inspiring Thought-Provoking Socialism
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Critic reviews

In a year rich in political memoirs, Speaking Out by Ed Balls is my pick of the bunch, full of anecdote, insight and authenticity’ (Matthew d’Ancona)
Self-deprecating . . . often poignant.
An engaging, highly readable and on occasion moving portrayal of life in the Westminster madhouse.
[U]nusually expansive on the emotional aspects of politicians’ relationship with the voters, it feels somehow timely.
A Christmas cracker of a book
An easy-going, sharp-eyed guide to the world of politics: its madnesses, its triumphs, its disappointments. A book which is insightful, funny and, at key moments, unexpectedly moving. (Jonathan Freedland)
Witty, reflective and engaging Ed Balls peels back the politicians' thick skin (and smashes their protective shell) to reveal that underneath lie real-life human beings. (Nick Robinson)
If you want to know why people go into politics and, despite all the ups and downs, do everything to stay there, I’d recommend Ed Balls' honest and revealing autobiography. (Michael Palin)
Speaking Out is an enjoyable read... the essays stand alone as little gems of insight and reflection. The book illuminates someone who makes generous and nuanced judgements of foes as well as friends and tries hard to understand the motives of people who have crossed him. Passionate and telling... Balls is very clear that his defeat in his constituency in 2015 was a prelude to a funeral and a life outside politics. I suspect that the funeral was a prelude to a resurrection. This book will help him rise from the dead. (Vince Cable)
Intriguing... compelling and affecting... has the poignant ring of truth. (Rafael Behr)
All stars
Most relevant
A must read for anyone with an interest in the political history of Britain over the last quarter of a century.

A frank, at times very personal, look at the author's own career; Balls explains his thinking at the time and now with hindsight on some of the most important events in modern British politics; from Clause 4 to Brexit.

Must listen

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This book has surprised me by restoring to some extent my faith in politics. At a time when the new normal includes lying, and cheating your way to power it is so refreshing to be reminded that there are people with principles out there. Regardless of whether you agree with his politics Ed Balls shows himself here to be a decent, honourable, intelligent, thoughtful human being and these are traits which are sadly in short supply just now. An enjoyable and sometimes even funny listen, all the more surprising as I didn't mean to buy it, having wrongly thought that I had clicked on the Buy Now button for John Bercow's new book! I was going to return it without reading it but I'm glad that I decided to give it a go.

what a nice guy!

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Where does Speaking Out rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

A frank account of life before, in and after politics. This rates as one of the most interesting audio books I have heard so far.

What other book might you compare Speaking Out to, and why?

Similar to other political biographies from Blair, Brown etc although this had a more humanistic approach.

What about Ed Balls’s performance did you like?

Good if a little frenetic at times.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes and it made me thoughtful.

Any additional comments?

Overall a very enjoyable and entertaining read.

Ed Balls - The Person

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I really enjoyed it a great insight into the Blair/Brown years and beyond, as well as the reality of being a Labour MP.

Learned about Ed and about politics

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If you couldn't stand this man when he was in politics, as I couldn't, all the more reason to listen. Ironically, I'd have him back in politics in an instant in 2017. Bit late now...

How I misjudged this politician

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