Politics On the Edge

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What to expect

The searing inside story of our broken politics from the former Cabinet minister and co-host of The Rest Is Politics.

Over the course of a decade, Rory Stewart went from being a political outsider to standing for prime minister – before being sacked from a Conservative Party that he had come to barely recognise.

Uncompromising, honest and darkly humorous, this is his story of the challenges, absurdities and realities of political life. Instantly praised as a new classic, it is an astonishing portrait of our turbulent times.

BRITISH BOOK AWARDS NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024

‘Rory Stewart’s Politics on the Edge digs deeper than most. As well as a fascinating insider account of the Cameron-May-Johnson premierships, it is a scathing portrait of our flawed political system and a “rebarbative profession” that, despite Stewart’s appetite for public service, chewed him up and spat him out’ GUARDIAN

‘Genuinely eye-opening…always riveting, often horrifying’
iNEWS

‘Hugely entertaining’
EVENING STANDARD

‘The most exceptional political memoir I’ve ever read’
ALAN JOHNSON

‘An instant classic’
MARINA HYDE

‘At last a politician who can write’
SEBASTIAN FAULKS

* A BOOK OF THE YEAR FOR THE FT, GUARDIAN, SUNDAY TIMES, TELEGRAPH, TIMES, OBSERVER, i NEWSPAPER, NEW STATESMAN, PROSPECT, CHURCH TIMES AND SCOTSMAN *

© 2023 Rory Stewart (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critics Review

There’s no denying that Rory Stewart stands almost alone among British politicians: he’s one of a handful who can actually turn a phrase. That talent is put to good use here — no other account of how Cameron Toryism curdled into May and Johnson is likely to be as evocative or amusing as this one
The Times, *The Times Political Book of the Year*
If you want to better understand the catastrophe that has been our government since 2010, or you just want to bask in Stewart’s beautifully formulated prose, read this book
New Statesman, *Books of the Year*
A brilliant insider’s account of the Cameron-May-Johnson years
FT, *Books of the Year*
It is the sheer sharpness, originality and truth-telling grace of Stewart’s prose, along with the vital importance of his subject, that makes his new book a truly exceptional political autobiography, both a pleasure to read, and a vital wake-up call
Scotsman, *Books of the Year*
Full of sharp observations and often funny… a portrait of a country where power is wielded by empty careerists, working in a broken system
Financial Times, *Books of the Year*
Beautifully written... You glimpse how transformative government could be
Guardian, *Books of the Year*
A fascinating account of power, corruption and lies
i, *Books of the Year*
Stewart writes beautifully and is brilliant at describing both the theatre and insanity of life in politics
Daily Express, *Books of the Year*
[Stewart’s] memoir of his time in politics is valuable as a slice of entertainment, as an enjoyably catty takedown of his former colleagues, and as perhaps the most helpful recent account of the failings of the British state… a valuable contribution to the historical record
Sunday Times, *Political Book of the Year*
The moral and technical seriousness of this book should not be ignored: in his time in parliamentary politics, Stewart discovered a lot that needs mending—and he has plenty of ideas for doing so
Prospect, *Books of the Year*

User Reviews

Book 4.8
Narration 4.9
5.0
4.0
Duncan Macdonald

Excellent read! X
Dochie 30/10/2024
5.0
5.0
I enjoyed the insight into the life of an MP/minister/member of cabinet. Rory Stewart’s passion for community work particularly resonated with my own interests and commitment. Despite knowing how the books ended, I felt strangely bereft when it came to an end. Rory Stewart is a great narrator and I am delighted to have bought the audio version of his book.
amandine alexandre 24/10/2024
5.0
5.0
The book made me more frustrated and more patriotic about the UK, more appreciative and disenchanted with politicians and more convinced about rights and wrongs of democracy. All at the same time!
AlmostSurelyRob 09/09/2024
5.0
5.0
Cusco19 06/09/2024
4.0
5.0
AlexisSugden 02/06/2024
5.0
5.0
Eye opening summary of current state of affairs in uk politics
bookswithry 17/02/2024
5.0
5.0
Excellent book and narration. An entertaining and depressing account of just how bad the last 13 years of government have been. Both Rory and Alistair have alluded to this in their podcast but this chronicle is damming. Looking forward to seeing Rory in Bath next June.
Steveandmaggs 07/12/2023
4.0
5.0
andymole2409 21/11/2023
5.0
5.0
VoidedofVillainy 15/11/2023
5.0
5.0
Brilliantly written. Engaging.
However also a truly terrifying account of the absence of detail and expertise where it's needed most.
A very important book for that reason about a very important decade.
hallwiton 30/09/2023
5.0
5.0
David Turner 27/09/2023

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