Taken As Red
- Author Anushka Asthana
- Narrator Anushka Asthana
- Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
- Publish Date 26 September 2024
- Run Time 10 hours and 26 minutes
- Format x-book®
- Genre Biography and non-fiction prose, Elections and referenda, Left-of-centre democratic ideologies, Political parties and party platforms, Politics and government, Reportage, journalism or collected columns, Society and Social Sciences.
Click to open directly in the xigxag app.
Standard price shown. Sign in for personalised pricing.
Send as a gift Get in the xigxag appFlexible Pricing & Rewards For Listening
At xigxag, the more you read, the less you pay* on select audiobook and x-book® titles, as in the table below. Pricing updates automatically in the app and resets one year after your first purchase. And you can always find a selection of brilliant titles available for only £3.99.
Titles Purchased
- 1-5
- 6-10
- 11-15
- 16-20
- Over 20
Price per title
- £7.99
- £6.99
- £5.99
- £4.99
- £3.99
*Only the full price titles you buy count toward your personal pricing tier. Full price titles don’t include Listen for Less or other books bought with a voucher or discount code.
Listen to a sample
What to expect
How Labour took power and what they're doing with it
'Taken As Red stands out for its balance and the depth of its reporting' The Guardian
'Revelatory and insightful.' Tim Shipman
In Taken As Red acclaimed political journalist Anushka Asthana takes us behind the scenes of the 2024 general election campaign.
As the political landscape undergoes a seismic shift, this gripping account provides an unprecedented insider’s perspective on the inner workings of Keir Starmer’s Labour and Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives, and the events of this high-stakes electoral contest as it unfolded.
With unparalleled access to key players and exclusive insights, it delves into the strategic decisions, campaign dynamics and unexpected twists that defined the election. From the battle bus to the corridors of power, Asthana analyses just how the result came about. Was it evidence of Labour’s strategic brilliance or the inevitable result of a spiralling decline of trust in the Tories? And what of Reform’s role?
Lively, analytical and compelling, Taken As Red reveals the calculated gambles and innovative strategies at play, and the people behind them. And in doing so, it looks forward as well as back.
Featuring exclusive interviews with more than 100 political insiders including Rachel Reeves, Wes Streeting, Kwasi Kwarteng and Nigel Farage.
Critics Review
'A balanced, thoughtful narrative that reflects opinions both within and between the parties. A must-read.' The Guardian
'A revelatory and insightful account. Asthana is one of the best-connected journalists in Westminster.' Tim Shipman
'The swiftest 'first draft of history' to land, a comprehensive exploration into everything that led to Keir Starmer marching into Downing Street ... Packed with detail and meticulously sourced. ... An invaluable resource.' New Statesman
'Anushka Asthana's storytelling, contacts and analysis are second to none. This is an unmissable political book.' Robert Peston
'Interesting reading for all armchair politicians.' The Sun *****
'Anushka knows all the key players intimately, but never forgets that the most important thing is to understand the voters. With her expertise, insight and empathy, plus her tenacious reporting skills, there are few journalists better placed to write this book.' Katharine Viner
'You won't find a more meticulously researched account of the election.' Paul Brand
'A brilliant woman and journalist - and now author.' Pippa Crerar
'A superb account of recent political history ... Essential reading.' John Rentoul
'Impeccable analysis and access told with humanity by a journalist who has it all.' Daniel Hewitt
'What makes this book really interesting is it shows how a campaign feels to a journalist when the cameras are off.' Tom Baldwin
'One of the best political reporters out there - as comfortable delivering top-level analysis from Westminster as she is reporting human stories around the country. This book is a must-read.' Esme Wren
'Anushka writes with authority, ease, warmth and intellect. A masterful interviewer, and an utterly brilliant storyteller.' Charlene White
'Full of telling descriptive points ... provides as thorough an account of Labour's election victory as you're likely to find.' LabourList
'A vividly written page-turner. ... All students of Starmerism would do well to examine this book closely and take heed.' The House
About xigxag and the x-book®
Discover the best audiobooks with xigxag, an innovative and user-friendly audiobook platform designed to simplify finding, purchasing, and enjoying your favourite books in audio format. Our flexible pricing model makes bestselling audiobooks affordable, offering the best audiobook deals without the need for a subscription. You can also give the perfect gift with our convenient audiobook gift cards and in-app audiobook gifting options.
A core differentiator of xigxag is our groundbreaking listen-and-read x-book® technology, which delivers a truly immersive digital book experience. This unique innovation seamlessly combines the audiobook, text, and images into a brilliant, integrated format, complete with exclusive audiobook features and a next-generation digital reading experience. Our growing x-book selection is easily discoverable by looking for the distinctive purple x-book® ribbon, or by simply filtering your search by ‘x-book’.
Beyond our technology, xigxag is committed to sustainability and ethical practices, ensuring a guilt-free listening experience from an exceptional digital book platform. As the only B Corp certified UK audiobook service, we stand as a leader in audiobook innovation and a compelling alternative to big tech. Our commitment extends to delivering extraordinary customer service, provided by our friendly UK support team.
Effortlessly search audiobooks, gain insights from honest audiobook reviews evaluating both the content and narration, and easily discover hidden gems. You can download or stream top audiobook titles anytime, anywhere, guaranteeing the best possible listening experience on the UK’s best independent audiobook app. Experience the future of audiobooks today.