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Unleashing Demons

The Inside Story of Brexit

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Unleashing Demons

By: Craig Oliver
Narrated by: Craig Oliver
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About this listen

As David Cameron's director of politics and communications, Craig Oliver was in the room at every key moment during the EU referendum - the biggest political event in the UK since World War II.

Craig Oliver worked with all the players, including David Cameron, George Osbourne, Barack Obama, Angela Merkel, Jeremy Corbyn, Boris Johnson, Michael Gove, Theresa May and Peter Mandelson.

Unleashing Demons is based on his extensive notes, detailing everything from the decision to call a referendum to the subsequent civil war in the Conservative Party and the aftermath of the shocking result. This is raw history at its very best, packed with enthralling detail and colourful anecdotes from behind the closed doors of the campaign that changed British history.

©2016 Craig Oliver (P)2016 Hodder & Stoughton
Political Science Politics & Government Thought-Provoking Inspiring
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Critic reviews

"Utterly fascinating.... I suspect that every historian of the period will regard it as indispensable to appreciating this extraordinary phase in our history." (John Simpson)
"The compelling insider's account of the man who was at the centre of the Downing Street web." (Nick Robinson)
"This is one of the most vivid, frank and exciting inside accounts to have been written for years." (Anthony Seldon)
"A gripping fly-on-the-wall account of the frenzy in Downing Street during the EU campaign." (Robert Peston)

What listeners say about Unleashing Demons

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Decent and Interesting Read

Decent and heartfelt recount of the referendum. But couldn’t get away from the nagging impression it was just an apology letter - in book form

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Werth listening to

Would you listen to Unleashing Demons again? Why?

The book has great insights into how they ran the campaign with it ups and downs.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Unleashing Demons?

David Cameron said "We could be unleashing Demons"

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Great listen

Really interesting book. Worth a read and insightful look at the last 2 years. Craig Oliver is a very good writer

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Insightful

Really insightful view of what was going on behind the scenes during the referendum campaign. Shame this was not visible more during the campaign, perhaps the results would have been different.

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Fascinating

If you are interested in Brexit then you will enjoy this e-book. Thoroughly good listening that gives some gossipy insight into the background and mess that led to the referendum.

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fascinating inside view

a fascinating inside view of the doomed campaign to remain in the European Union. Very interesting insights into the failure of Labour leadership, the dishonesty of much of the leave campaign, and the reality that there was very little the remain campaign could have done to avoid the ultimate outcome.

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Still surprises me!

I was interested in what went on behind the scenes in the remain camp and this is a fantastic account of that. What I found incredibly surprising was how genuinely out of touch the remain camp was. I thought that Remain did incredibly well to get 48% of the vote! They thought they had a chance of winning. What they completely failed to understand was the importance of quality of life, sovereignty and control of our own borders and that these issues were far more important than money. I can't imagine there are many people in a marriage who, when they realise their partner is dictating/demanding a way of life that they do not want, will decide not to get a divorce because they'd be worse off!!! The idea of freedom of movement was only viable way back when the EEC founding members were similarly wealthy. It's idiotic when there are 28 countries many of whom are poor. When we have a National a Living Wage of over £9 an hour (2019), 30 hours of free childcare a week, a free NHS, schools and free school meals and social housing and social workers and free interpreters....oh and we are one of the most tolerant societies on the planet, a beautiful Country.....and we speak English......where is everyone going to go? It's not rocket science. Our NHS is creaking at the seams, our roads are full of road works and traffic congestion and our schools are overflowing.......HOW DID THEY MISS THAT??? Who in their right mind would vote Remain!?

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A fascinating insight ...

A fascinating insight into the biggest UK political event for a generation. Craig is an excellent narrator and brings the events leading up to Brexit to life.

The pace of the book is spot on. The description of waves of confidence/doubt, in Number 10 gives you a sense of the high stakes in play here.

Cannot recommend this book highly enough.

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Great story about a very poor campaign

I enjoyed this book. It's astonishing how little responsibility Craig takes for what happened. What should have been an easy win turned into a disaster and a lot of it was Oliver's fault. It's hard not to agree with Cummings's description of Craig Oliver as 'clueless'. But it's a great yarn all the same, although I think Craig made a mistake narrating it himself. I prefer when professional actors do it unless the author is a bona fide celebrity whose voice you know well.

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emotionally involved authoring

an interesting account and certainly an eye opener to what goes on within politics. difficult to work out if the author's emotional involvement has skewed the account or his opinions, but some really good points made and some exposing content.
shame it can't turn back events and have been released amid the campaign!

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