Crap: A Guide to Politics [Paperback]

"Onthe surface Terry Arthur's Crap looks like a much lighter book. But open it almost at random and you willfind a withering analysis of most government exhortations, plans and pledges, putting into simple English the analysis of the American Public Choice schoolof political economists. The authorfalls down, however, in boasting that he never votes as he has no chance ofinfluencing what happens. He confuseshere the rational voter theorem, which states that a self-interested egoist hasno incentive to vote, with a more general cynicism about politics and policies."-Samuel Brittan, "Financial Times "

Mr Arthur has presented us with a user's manual to politicians.
Anyone who reads it will not merely laugh out loud, but will be armed
against all future attempts by the political class to lie, obfuscate and
prevaricate. To this end some philanthropist should pay for a copy to be
sent into every household in the land.

A splendid book - amusing, disturbing and profound.

Mr Arthur has seen and measured the tip of an iceberg which,
amazing though it may seem, most of the other passengers still have not
noticed - and he has done so with accuracy and humour.

Behind the jokey title and the lively, entertaining style, Terry Arthur has produced a devastating exposé of the intellectual confusion, political deception and economic ignorance that have come to dominate public pronouncements. His precision of thought, clarity of language and
lightly-worn scholarship have resulted in a book that would have won the warm approval of George Orwell.

Mr Arthur has presented us with a user's manual to politicians. Anyone who reads it will not merely laugh out loud, but will be armed against all future attempts by the political class to lie, obfuscate and prevaricate. To this end some philanthropist should pay for a copy to be sent into every household in the land.

A splendid book - amusing, disturbing and profound.

Mr Arthur has seen and measured the tip of an iceberg which, amazing though it may seem, most of the other passengers still have not noticed - and he has done so with accuracy and humour.

"Behind the jokey title and the lively, entertaining style, Terry Arthur has produced a devastating expose of the intellectual confusion, political deception and economic ignorance that have come to dominate public pronouncements. His precision of thought, clarity of language and lightly-worn scholarship have resulted in a book that would have won the warm approval of George Orwell." - Antony Jay, Co-author, "Yes Minister" and "Yes Prime Minister". "Mr Arthur has presented us with a user's manual to politicians. Anyone who reads it will not merely laugh out loud, but will be armed against all future attempts by the political class to lie, obfuscate and prevaricate. To this end some philanthropist should pay for a copy to be sent into every household in the land." - Simon Heffer, Associate Editor, "Daily Telegraph".Taking its inspiration from Terry Arthur's thirty year-old classic "95 per cent is Crap: A Plain Man's Guide to British Politics", this is a down-to-earth expose of the crap still being peddled by leading politicians today. Humorously but devastatingly written, Arthur exposes twelve very different sorts of political crap. Irreverent yet brilliant, this guide is essential reading for everyone who is sick of 'spin' - or worse.

Terry Arthur is an actuary holding several non-executive
directorships. He writes regularly for the broadsheet press and various
journals. A keen sportsman, he played rugby for England in 1966.