Listen to a sample
Frankly
- Author
- Nicola Sturgeon
- Narrator
- Nicola Sturgeon
- Publisher
- Pan Macmillan
- Publish Date
- 14 August 2025
- Run Time
- 14 hours 59 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
- Genre
- Memoirs, Autobiography: historical, political and military, Political leaders and leadership, Left-of-centre democratic ideologies and movements
- Rating
- 4.7 (3 reviews)
What to expect
Compellingly read by the author, Nicola Sturgeon.
Now with a new Foreword by the author.
‘A triumph. Frankly is the most insightful and stylishly open memoir by a politician since Barack Obama’s Dreams From My Father’
Andrew O’Hagan
'Nicola Sturgeon tells her remarkable story with great skill and unflinching honesty'
Alan Johnson
The enduring popularity of Nicola Sturgeon, the first female and longest-serving First Minister of Scotland, was a rare constant in an era marked by Brexit, Covid and five different UK prime ministers. Previously, as ‘Yes Minister’ and Deputy Leader of the SNP, she helped to bring Scotland to the brink of independence, overseeing the Yes campaign in the independence referendum of 2014.
In this deeply personal memoir, Sturgeon recounts her journey from working-class Ayrshire to the steps of Bute House. Revealing the person behind the politician, she explores the schism between her private and public personas: one painfully shy and self-critical, the other a consummate public performer. And yet, she pulls no punches, candidly recounting her interactions with figures including Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Donald Trump, and Alex Salmond – her mentor and, ultimately, her staunch adversary.
Full of the verve and wit that made Sturgeon one of the most high-profile politicians in the UK, this is a unique blend of personal insight and captivating vignettes. Infused throughout with a love of Scotland and its people, it discusses Sturgeon’s mistakes, her battles, and her triumphs with candid honesty. Frankly is the compelling story of no ordinary politician.
Critics Review
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Nicola Sturgeon is the council house kid who became one of Europe's most successful politicians. Here she tells her remarkable story with great skill and unflinching honesty
Alan Johnson, bestselling author of This Boy and former British Home Secretary
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A triumph. Truly searching, truly frank, an excavation not only of what has been crucial in Sturgeon’s life and in our political times but in what I would call the interior life of our generation. Frankly is the most insightful and stylishly open memoir by a politician since Barack Obama’s Dreams From My Father
Andrew O'Hagan, bestselling author of Mayflies and Caledonian Road
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How often has a working-class girl from Ayrshire risen to the highest office in Scotland and become a world leader who stood firmly for the dignity of her nation? Once, so far. Nicola is the first. She not only accompanied us through pivotal, decisive moments in British history, in many cases, she was their proponent. In compelling, clear-eyed, and self-critical prose, Frankly gives us a riveting, deeply human portrait of a woman coming into her power and reflecting on her battles, triumphs and defeats. Sturgeon’s voice is an essential account of our time and the collective fate of our nation. I was both enlightened and enthralled
Douglas Stuart, bestselling author of Shuggie Bain
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Few women throughout history have occupied higher political office than Nicola Sturgeon. Once described as the most dangerous woman in Britain, this candid and unpretentious memoir is a riveting account from one of Scotland’s most distinguished daughters. A woman of remarkable substance, integrity and resilience. A must read by any standards
Shirley Manson, lead singer of Garbage
See more reviews See fewer reviews
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An amazing achievement. Nicola Sturgeon manages to write dispassionately about her life’s passion, and mindfully about experiences that could have broken her. Even the iniquities of the patriarchy she endured are recounted with fairness and compassion – qualities that made her the great leader she was and the strong, resilient and happy woman she is today
Alan Cumming, actor, writer and presenter
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To have been in the room with the First Minister of Scotland during the crises of Brexit and Covid was to have witnessed, at first hand, a political leader at the height of her formidable powers. Now, in this highly personal account, you too can be alongside Nicola Sturgeon on her remarkable journey
Mark Drakeford, former First Minister of Wales
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Candid . . . fascinating
The Times
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Lively . . . often moving
Financial Times
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She is an entertaining storyteller, with a good eye for detail
The Guardian
User Reviews
Book 4.7
Narration 5.0
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5.0 5.0
A well written memoir very well read! It feels like a fair accounting of Nicola Sturgeon's political career, accepting consequences of her choices and actions whether positive or negative. It was a treat to listen to as some authors aren't natural speakers but years of public speaking have paid off!
pheebsell 2026-01-08
Details
- Author
- Nicola Sturgeon
- Narrator
- Nicola Sturgeon
- Duration
- 14 hours 59 minutes
- Release Date
- 14 August 2025
- ISBN
- 9781035040254
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Pan Macmillan
- Genre
- Memoirs, Autobiography: historical, political and military, Political leaders and leadership, Left-of-centre democratic ideologies and movements
- Rating
- 4.7(3 reviews)
- Narration
- 5.0(3 reviews)
Synopsis
Compellingly read by the author, Nicola Sturgeon.Now with a new Foreword by the author.‘A triumph. Frankly is the most insightful and stylishly open memoir by a politician since Barack Obama’s Dreams From My Father’Andrew O’Hagan'Nicola Sturgeon tells her remarkable story with great skill and unflinching honesty'Alan JohnsonThe enduring popularity of Nicola Sturgeon, the first female and longest-serving First Minister of Scotland, was a rare constant in an era marked by Brexit, Covid and five different UK prime ministers. Previously, as ‘Yes Minister’ and Deputy Leader of the SNP, she helped to bring Scotland to the brink of independence, overseeing the Yes campaign in the independence referendum of 2014.In this deeply personal memoir, Sturgeon recounts her journey from working-class Ayrshire to the steps of Bute House. Revealing the person behind the politician, she explores the schism between her private and public personas: one painfully shy and self-critical, the other a consummate public performer. And yet, she pulls no punches, candidly recounting her interactions with figures including Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Donald Trump, and Alex Salmond – her mentor and, ultimately, her staunch adversary.Full of the verve and wit that made Sturgeon one of the most high-profile politicians in the UK, this is a unique blend of personal insight and captivating vignettes. Infused throughout with a love of Scotland and its people, it discusses Sturgeon’s mistakes, her battles, and her triumphs with candid honesty. Frankly is the compelling story of no ordinary politician.
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