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The Conservatives

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The Conservatives

By: Robin Harris
Narrated by: Nigel Anthony
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About this listen

The history of the Conservative party has, extraordinarily, rarely been written in a single volume for the general reader. There are academic multi-volume accounts and a multitude of smaller books with limited historical scope. But now, Robin Harris, Margaret Thatcher's speechwriter and party insider, has produced this authoritative but lively history book which tells the whole story and fills a gaping hole in Britain's historiographical record. Taking as his starting point the larger than life personalities of the Conservative Party's leaders and prime ministers since its inception, Robin Harris's book also analyses the interconnected themes and issues which have dominated Conservative politics over the years. The careers of Peel, Disraeli, Salisbury, Baldwin, Chamberlain, Churchill, Eden, Macmillan, Heath, Thatcher, Major, Hague and Cameron together amount to an alternative history of Britain since the early nineteenth century. This landmark book is essential reading for anyone with an interest in history or politics, or anyone who has ever wondered how Britain came to be the nation it is today.

©2011 Robin Harris (P)2011 Random House AudioGo LTD Europe Great Britain Political Science Politics & Government United States World Winston Churchill Socialism England United Kingdom Liberalism Capitalism Royalty Imperialism Middle Ages Russia Soviet Union Latin American War Taxation Military Africa

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All stars
Most relevant  
Expertly read, Nigel Anthony is one of the best narrators on audible, and a perfect fit for this subject. Harris achieves success on every front - accurate historical detail, analysis combined with wit. His writing style is engaging, short punchy sentences, keeping the pace on what is huge volume of political history. Highly recommended.

Superb

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All great Generals say secret to victory is knowing your enemies. From the old Tory days of Wellington through to Conservative Baldwin, Churchill and Thatcher this work will give a genuine understanding of the party most of us love to hate.

Under Principle Know Your Enemy A Valuable Work

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A comprehensive, insightful and informative history of the Conservatives.

It provides interesting and edifying detail to the trials and triumphs of British Conservatism.
It dispels the myths surrounding the leaders, movers and shakers of Conservatism and lays bare the party's inherent pragmatism.

The authors clear loyalty and commitment to all things Thatcher is understandable given his background and forgivable given the huge impact she undoubtedly had on the Party and the country.

If you want to understand the a conservative Party better this is a very good starting point.

The narrator is also excellent and brings what is a very dry subject as much to life as I think is possible.

Well worth the effort all round.

Conservative Party Unwrapped

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Read well, and explores its subject matter in an engaging and logical manner, but the overall impression suffers from the too visible hands of the author’s own biases. This becomes visible only in the final chapters - the author’s unswerving devotion to Margaret Thatcher shines through and severely distorts the reality conveyed.

As much through its omissions as through what is said the desperate desire to justify what appears to be little short of hero worship produces an account which is difficult to reconcile with the observable facts, and which makes (or should make) the reader question all that went before.

Comprehensive, but flawed

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Loved it.
Honestly one of the best political histories I've listened to.
I could so easily have been dry and dull but the author instills it with wit and flair.
He explores misconceptions, particularly about Disraeli who is one of my political heroes.

excellent

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this is a very comprehensive list, though frustratingly breif towards more recent events. There is a lot of words... which goes in one ear and out the other, so extracting the actual content is difficult. but good info non the less.

Only for the very interested...

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The content is sound, interesting, and we'll written. The reading is always clear and precise, but sometimes the reader sounds bored with the task.

Good history of Conservative Leaders

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