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Product Description
Review
`Full of wit, warmth, wisdom - and wine.' --Ian Hislop
`One of the most entertaining, irreverent, and magnificently self-indulgent political memoirs to emerge from the New Labour era' --Chris Mullin, Times
'passionate, whimsical and highly entertaining' --John Kampfner, Observer
'Impassioned and witty ... fiery in all the right places' --Daily Express
`One of the most entertaining, irreverent, and magnificently self-indulgent political memoirs to emerge from the New Labour era' --Chris Mullin, Times
'passionate, whimsical and highly entertaining' --John Kampfner, Observer
'Impassioned and witty ... fiery in all the right places' --Daily Express
Book Description
Tony Blair's least favourite colleague casts a mordant eye on whips and rebels, wars and liberties, spin and patronage, and expenses and legacies - and at the same time delivers a passionate message about parliament's enduring value. This subversive and richly comical account of British political life during New Labour's term in office presents an intimate picture of what it was like to be its most prominent dissident member.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The trials and tribulations of being an MP are well explained. The tyranny of the Whips Office, the power of the Executive, and the whole Messianic delusion, and economy with truth, that took the country to War three times under Blair, are recounted. The repercussion of restriction on civil liberty, and the struggle of MPs to oppose the draconian legislation intended to safeguard us against ill defined enemies makes the book well worth reading. Bob Marshall-Andrews witty style made reading the book a pleasure.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
An interesting book, but Marshall-Andrews comes across as somewhat smug and insufferably pleased with himself. He quotes himself on numerous occasions and I couldnt help but think of the fictional Alan Patridge book of anecdotes where Alan always ends each story be saying that he came off best.
He is very perceptive of Blair's messianic tendency but at the same time seems somewhat blind to Brown's many faults, and too much time is spent congratulating himself on many convivial lunches and fine wine consumption sessions with his friends in London's media and legal glitterati.
Still a modern political autobiography that doesnt overstay its welcome is rare and the chapters are generally short and to the point - the ones on the threat to trial by jury being the best.
He is very perceptive of Blair's messianic tendency but at the same time seems somewhat blind to Brown's many faults, and too much time is spent congratulating himself on many convivial lunches and fine wine consumption sessions with his friends in London's media and legal glitterati.
Still a modern political autobiography that doesnt overstay its welcome is rare and the chapters are generally short and to the point - the ones on the threat to trial by jury being the best.
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I was at first suspicious of T Blair, but that turned very quickly to a hatred. There were so many pointers, that I despaired that the rest of the electorate refused to see, that he was elected a second time filled me with despair, The third time, was beyond belief, and I seriously considered emigration. So hearing of Bob's book, I was drawn immediately to reading it.
To have what in effect were strong suspicions confirmed by an insider, reinforced my faith in my own sanity, and has made me ponder further the nature of the electorate [but that's another issue].
The book is both light and easy to read, yet probing, in a way that most [ex]politicians only attempt in order to advance their own reputations. A tragic indictment of our political system, but very particularly of the Blair years.
A must read for anyone who like me was suspicious of that administration. But an essential read for those who supported it!!
To have what in effect were strong suspicions confirmed by an insider, reinforced my faith in my own sanity, and has made me ponder further the nature of the electorate [but that's another issue].
The book is both light and easy to read, yet probing, in a way that most [ex]politicians only attempt in order to advance their own reputations. A tragic indictment of our political system, but very particularly of the Blair years.
A must read for anyone who like me was suspicious of that administration. But an essential read for those who supported it!!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Should be required reading for all.
What is quite amazing is that millions of pounds have been and continue to be poured into Iraq war inquiries while a QC, in the space of little more than a single chapter of this... Read more
Published 6 days ago by Apoptoastie
Not as entertaining as his media appearances.
I enjoyed Bob's appearances on Have I Got News, as well as his entertaining contributions to Today and PM on Radio 4. Read more
Published 1 month ago by A reader
Absolutely Fascinating
As an adult barely three years younger than BMA, with a decent education, a career encompassing City and the arts and brought up in a committed Socialist family I thought I... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Cm Dfms Brown
Off Message, On Target
It is easy to weigh the good or ill done by governments, the fun lies in reviewing what they might have done. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Leslie Earle
Half good
The first few chapters are funny, meaningful and mostly true (perhaps all true). Later chapters are repetitive, not funny and rather boring. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Summer
Tireless campaigner for civil liberty!
As one would expect from an experienced member of the Bar this is an extremely well-written, logically argued and lucid account of the Blair/ Brown years. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mike
this turkey is off !!
Bob explains from the off that his card has been marked by New Labour .....and it's downhill from then on
they hate him .!...and he hates them !..... Read more
they hate him .!...and he hates them !..... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Ravensmead
ON TARGET
Written in an entertaining way and confirming much of what we all know or suspect.Seems you can fool most of the voters most of the time - and get rich in the process.
Published 10 months ago by KEN Q XVH
Frightening
I was long doubtful of Blair and the way he became 'son of Thatcher'. It's distressing that so much of the population is incapable of handling anything other than Murdoch's... Read more
Published 10 months ago by eggshellblonde
At last, some honesty............
This is a great read; very amusing, well written and shockingly insightful! At last, some honesty on what went on in the corridors of power under New Labour! Highly recommended!
Published 10 months ago by Lawrence
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