The Prime Ministers
Reflections on Leadership from Wilson to May
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The Prime Ministers
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Narrated by:
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Steve Richards
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By:
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Steve Richards
About this listen
A landmark history of the men and women who have defined the UK's role in the modern world - and what makes them special - by a seasoned political journalist.
At a time of unprecedented political upheaval, this magisterial history explains who leads us and why. From Harold Wilson to Theresa May, it brilliantly brings to life all nine inhabitants of 10 Downing Street over the past 50 years, vividly outlining their successes and failures - and what made each of them special. Based on unprecedented access and in-depth interviews, and inspired by the author's BBC Radio 4 and television series, Steve Richards expertly examines the men and women who have defined the UK's role in the modern world and sheds new light on the demands of the highest public office in the land.
©2019 Steve Richards (P)2019 Audible, LtdListeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about The Prime Ministers
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- John Clough
- 06-03-23
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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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- A. Morrow
- 14-11-20
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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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 21-05-20
Interesting take. Very odd issue with recording.
This is a good book delivered in a non-partisan way.
There was a really odd issue with the sound mixing that caused the reader’s voice to go up in pitch for a few chapters in the middle which was quite off-putting. Not sure if that was just me. But otherwise OK
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jason
- 10-03-21
Concise & thoughtful
Richards gives interesting and personal insight whilst keeping to his subjects. Good thumbnail sketches. Only slight criticism is use of same metaphors on some occasions, but so what?
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- andrew
- 06-05-20
good book good insights
only issue was the voice seemed to change half way through Blair. it was really off-putting and I thought it was a problem with my headphones.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Benjamin Maurice Parsons
- 21-05-20
Really interesting overview
A really good summary from a well informed journalist. I would recommend this to anyone, anyone who is interested in getting a relatively brief summary of these leaders
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- E. Barker
- 08-04-20
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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7 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 05-08-20
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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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mrs. Ann M. Mcmahon
- 04-04-22
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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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Charles King-Tenison
- 12-03-20
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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3 people found this helpful