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All Out War: The Full Story of How Brexit Sank Britain's Political Class
- Narrated by: Rupert Farley
- Length: 32 hrs and 5 mins
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Summary
Politics was turned upside down during 2016. This book by Sunday Times political editor Tim Shipman is the first to tell the full story of how and why Britain voted to leave the European Union and how the vote shattered the political status quo.
Based on unrivalled access to all the key politicians and their advisors - including Boris Johnson, Michael Gove, George Osborne, Nigel Farage and Dominic Cummings, the mastermind of Vote Leave - Shipman has written a political history that reads like a thriller and offers a gripping day-by-day account of what really happened behind the scenes in Downing Street, both Leave campaigns, the Labour Party, Ukip and Britain Stronger in Europe.
Shipman gives his listeners a ringside seat on how decisions were made, mistakes justified and betrayals perpetrated. Filled with stories, anecdotes and juicy leaks, the audiobook does not seek to address the rights and wrongs of Brexit but to explore how and why David Cameron chose to take the biggest political gamble of his life and explain why he lost.
This is a story of calculation, attempted coups, individuals torn between principles and loyalty. All the events are here - from David Cameron's pledge to hold a referendum through to the campaign itself, his resignation as prime minister, the betrayals and rivalries that occurred during the race to find his successor and the arrival of Theresa May in Downing Street as Britain's second female prime minister.
All Out War is an audiobook about leaders and their closest aides, the decisions they make and how and why they make them as well as how they feel when they turn out to be wrong. It is about men who make decisions that are intellectually consistent and - by their own measure - morally sound that are simultaneously disastrous for themselves and those closest to them. It is about how doing what you know has worked before doesn't always work again. Most of all it is about asking the question: how far are you prepared to go to win?
Critic reviews
"Tim Shipman is brilliantly qualified to write the inside story of the referendum, with his unrivalled access to all the players." (John Rentoul)
"Britain underwent a political revolution last summer. Tim Shipman, one of the most brilliant, best informed and well-connected journalists in Westminster, has written a superlative book which does full justice to a momentous time in a national history." (Peter Osborne)
What listeners say about All Out War: The Full Story of How Brexit Sank Britain's Political Class
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- Anonymous User
- 23-04-17
I lived through all this.
A cracking read if you want to know how all sides were working. It was a tough decision for me and i liked the honesty of the Tim Shipman diagnoses and it would be interesting to know how he thinks his conclusions (such as they were) hold up after 6 months.
the naration was good, i get a sense he was amusing himself as much as anything with the attempts at accents and voices and in my view it was better for all that. I really enjoyed this book and if you read anything on Brexit, start here.
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- Amazon Customer
- 30-10-20
Fascinating
The story is well told and very detailed. Despite the in depth nature of the telling and the length the book never allows your interest to dwindle. One small issue was with the reading. For the vast majority of time the narration was excellent, I did find the attempted accents and impersonations a little distracting. They were neither consistent nor needed.
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- Alex
- 16-09-17
Detailed, well written, amusing.
This book, written in such a short space of time, is impeccable. It includes accounts from behind the scenes that reveal why decisions were made by the campaign teams and ultimately led to Britain deciding to leave the European Union. Tim Shipman should be proud of a book written within weeks of the seismic events.
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- Islandlife1956
- 24-05-17
An excellent insight into UK power play politics!
Entertaining and addictive book!
Highly recommended as it gets into the nitty gritty of UK modern day politics!
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- J. Hunter
- 11-04-23
Engaging with some short comings
If the topic interests you, I recommend this book, even if I’m not sure it hit me with any great revelations.
Probably the biggest shortcoming in my view is the absence of any discussion of the actions of the EU or European leaders, especially concerning the limited deal they offered Cameron. Whilst I can appreciate that the author consciously wanted to focus on the British angle, a chapter or two would have been of significant interest in contextualising events.
That aside, an engaging yarn, well told, without obvious, aggravating bias.
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- linus beaven
- 05-01-18
Gripping, very well researched and brilliantly wri
Would you listen to All Out War: The Full Story of How Brexit Sank Britain's Political Class again? Why?
Most definitely, I found it to be a riveting insight into the complexities of a national campaign
Who was your favorite character and why?
Dominic Cummings, he has the Bull Dog intensity for the fight and the never say never attitude that probably tipped the balance, I just wish he was on the other side
Which character – as performed by Rupert Farley – was your favourite?
To be honest, I actually found the whole thing of trying to be a character and attempting accents and impressions to be quite annoying and unnecessary and the main reason I decided to write this review
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
I effectively did, apart from 8 hours sleep half way through, I listened to it in one sitting, even taking it to the kitchen, toilet and pub with me
Any additional comments?
For anyone interested in UK National politics, this book is an essential listen/read and I am looking forward to starting the next book, Fall Out, as soon as possible
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6 people found this helpful
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- M. Dixon
- 28-01-21
Through the Tory Looking Glass
An entertaining and informative insight into how the British political establishment sees itself - as the rightful owner and keeper of who gets to decide what it means to be British. More of an extended gossip column than an historical analysis it should, nevertheless, be taken seriously as a lesson in how a tiny number of people in positions of power can cause so much chaos and not take any responsibility beyond "I love my country and I did what I thought was right". As one of the 500,000 'insane' who voted for Jeremy Corbyn to be leader of the Labour Party (twice) - and a remainer - I wasn't expecting any reinforcement of my political views from this author but the extent of the vitriol directed at Corbyn and anyone left of Alan Johnson was surprising. Understandaby the choice of quotes and sources was probably limited to unsympathetic voices but, unlike with every other character, there was virtually no attempt at mitigation of the vicious attacks. Even Tony Blair, no favourite of mine - of course - gets blamed for seeding Brexit in changing the British political landscape and paving the way for David Cameron to become Tory leader. Shipman's story ends when Teresa May takes over - so Johnson's promise of cake and eat it (and many other sunlit uplands depicted in his appendixed letter) are not exposed for the fantasies, if not lies, that they are proving to be. The narration makes easy listening and is fun but, like the rest of the book, should be treated as a political cartoon caricature - Gove and Mandelson delightfully understated but Labour MPs and any contributor north of Watford verge on the patronising.
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- Simple shopper
- 30-05-17
Excellent, in-depth and detailed
If you're interested in the political aspects behind BREXIT, especially what happened behind closed doors then this book is for you.
It's fantastically detailed with countless first hand experienced of what turned the wheels behind the various campaigns.
The amount of backstabbing is phenomenal and the linkage of other non related issues quite eye opening. (the tampon tax being used as a pressure tool and Osborne for instance).
Overall I enjoyed every single minute of it and would highly recommend it to anyone.
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- Anonymous User
- 24-04-19
excellent.
perfect outline of the Brexit debacle, concise, detailed and informative. an excellent piece of work
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- anon
- 11-05-19
Beyond parody
Great book, gives the context behind the headlines and hugely partisan debates. Depicts the human side of the players well, while not shying away from the hubris and regicidal impulses. I’ve only given it 4 stars, and the end of the party is better. Do listen to that one, it’s a gripping car crash from start to finish!
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1 person found this helpful