Intriguing analysis - worth a listen

For anyone interested in leadership or British politics this book provides many intriguing insights and some fascinating analysis.

It may lack a sufficient line of judgment and is not a guide on how to be a PM, but it is a superb analysis on the last few PMs strengths and weaknesses

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2 people found this helpful

Highly recommended.

If anything, this audio is even better than the companion volume – Prime Minister's we never had. What's most interesting is the way Steve Richards synthesises his stories. Seeing Kinnock (other volume) in the light of the problems dealt with by Harold Wilson, re-assesses both most favourably; especially when compared to Miliband, and Cameron (To whom he is more than fair). Tangentially it made me more sympathetic to Theresa May and the impossible task she faced.
It's good to see Harold Wilson reinstated – about time.

I recommend listening to both of Steve Richards audiobooks beside Finton O;Ioole;s Heroic Failure. They complement each other

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Incredible political analysis, delivered perfectly by the author

This is my third book I’ve listened to by Steve Richard’s (Turning Points, and Prime Ministers We Never Had, being the others). Once again Steve offers a balanced analysis to help novices like me understand our political leaders and the nuances of being a political leader. Steve is a great orator (his podcast Rock and Roll Politics and live shows around the UK are well worth checking out). He knows his stuff and offers original analysis that’s desperately needed and find thought provoking and entertaining. Thank you Steve for enriching our lives.

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Great insight into what make PM's tick

Really enjoyed this, fascinating look at the characteristics and achievements of each modern prime minister

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Thought provoking

Very enjoyable listen, interesting throughout, and has given me pause for thought about some of those prime ministers that I’ve lived through.

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A competent and useful guide to leading the UK

I have always been interested in the nuance of political leadership, and the motivation behind any Prime Minister's rise to the top job.

In this overview of UK prime ministers from Wilson to May, you are taken on a journey through modern British political history. The author does a good job of challenging our assumptions about each Prime Minister and breaks away from the characatures that they are often remembered as long, after their time office. of particular interest was the depiction of Harold Wilson, Gordon brown and Margaret Thatcher who all are remembered very specifically by many.

the book does however read as something as a chronological description, whereas being able to introduce themes of leadership and politics as opposed to individual prime ministers one by one would perhaps have made a more complete and comparative analysis. in addition, one cannot help but feel that the author is more Blairite in their world view and it appears as though more doting is placed at Tony Blair than any other leader.

perhaps unfairly the book would have been even more complete had it's been able to take into account the leadership Boris Johnson. as a prime minister he appears to buck the trend of many of the arguments that are proposed in the book, and were the author to follow up in 5 to 10 years time I'm sure very different conclusions and reflections would have been reached.

it is however a very interesting overview and is much recommended to any person with an interest in modern British political history

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6 people found this helpful

Brilliant

Balanced and thorough view of UK Prime Ministers from Wilson to May. Fascinating stuff and explains why we are were we are and the extreme challenges of the role.

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1 person found this helpful

Prime Fare

Clearly an inherently dramatic topic, explored here by a master of his subject: Steve Richards is steeped in politics and political history. Occasionally, the delivery sounded a bit flat and might have benefited from a different narrator, but overall it was excellent.

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outstanding

one of the beat contemporary histories I've come across.
Sometimes funny, sometimes dark but always fascinating. I've always been interested in the history of the office of British Prime minister, and in many ways I find curiously unexplored as an office.
this book is very much what we needed refreshing non partisan but still packed with a biting criticism when needed. similarly he is so willing to challenge lazy assumptions of both the right and the left.
I loved this, if you're interested in British politics give this a go you wont regret it.

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2 people found this helpful

Excellent analysis

Brilliant and accessible analysis of the modern Prime Ministers. Fascinating and illuminating. Unfortunately, the sound quality is 'off' in two of the chapters. I have emailed audible about this.

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1 person found this helpful