So good I immediately listened to it a second time!

I found this a fabulous book despite the fact I’m left of centre. If only our politicians who are still in politics could come across as people in their own right and talk to the general public as if they were individuals and having a conversation rather than delivering a message. So sad to see so many treating politics as being a career at the expense of their own constituents.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

21 people found this helpful

Brilliant

Absolutely loved this. Really drives home the ridiculousness of our system- the way that a diligent and hardworking politician could be utterly thwarted by party politics and almost a wilful negligence of leaders in not allowing any areas of expertise to be utilised fully. Also love the various ‘voices’ Rory uses to really bring the conversations within to life. If more people like Rory were allowed to lead, we would not be in the mess we’re in right now.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

Unputdownable

Rarely am I so captivated by such a long piece of non-fiction. It feels like I’ve barely taken my headphones out in the last 48 hours.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Compelling

A really great listen, well read by the author and a fascinating but disturbing insight into those momentous 9 years of Rory Stewart’s time in parliament. I felt sad that he was one of many victims of Boris Johnson’s vindictive and shameful behavior which resulted in the loss of so many committed and talented MPs. His telling of his “story” is well written with a abundance of intelligent and detailed observations during his time in Parliament and his life before. The way he combines his personal involvement with the political happenings of the time makes for addictive reading. It’s a long book, but both informative and enjoyable. I mourn his loss to the political landscape of Britain..

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Superb

Great to hear Rory Stewart share his experiences about his time as a politician. Engaging, honest and funny.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Fascinating and informative

Rory's account of his time in politics is truly eye opening and a must listen for anyone who wishes to learn more about our political institutions.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Really excellent

An amazing insight into uk politics and someone who is duty before all else, well ready, even the dodgy accents were great as it gave a moment of humour. Well done!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

An utterly captivating read

There are moments that will leave you frustrated, enraged and aghast at state of our political systems and the sometimes villainous individuals it rewards. But Rory demonstrates how an MP can be flawed, but decent. He doesn't claim to be a model politician, but the commitment and consideration he clearly demonstrated as a constituent MP and minister of state is obvious. I imagine many see Rory as a dangerously naïve disruptor. However, the irony is that this comes from being a honest and dedicated servant. Unfortunately, this book doesn't have the answers. By Rory's own admission the influence of policy seems largely centralised to No.10. After reading this book, it's incredibly difficult not to imagine how better off our country would had Rory come through the conservative contest and won.

Also, Michael Gove is a deceitful weasel and should be nowhere near public office.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Outstanding, but mind-boggling

This is an impressive account of Stewarts time in government during a momentous period, and yet it is not an apology, self-justification, nor a mea culpa. He seems to be almost blatantly honest about the failings of government and the parliamentary system, and his frustration often bleeds through - and yet he also holds his hands up on occasion when he felt he could have done better or achieved more. It seems honest to somebody without inside knowledge and he comes across as caring and compassionate, not something you'd expect from many Tories. He speaks frankly of how he dealt with the situations he found himself in, sometimes how he floundered, his colleagues, good and bad (the listener quickly gets a sense of who he did and did not respect.) Sometimes it seems amazing that Britain's creaking parliamentary system got anything done at all. He largely portrays government as dysfunctional and many politicians as self-serving (to nobody's surprise at all, ever.) Worth a listen to anyone, even if you're not a fan of this era of politics or of Conservatives in general.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Brilliant listen.

Honest, reflective, insightful, great narration.
A must read to understand why we are where we are.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!