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Unleashed

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Unleashed

By: Boris Johnson
Narrated by: Boris Johnson
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About this listen

THE #1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTELLER

A BOOK OF THE YEAR IN THE FINANCIAL TIMES, TELEGRAPH, DAILY MAIL, TIMES AND SUNDAY TIMES

‘ABSOLUTELY, TOTALLY, MIND-BLOWINGLY EXPLOSIVE’ ED BALLS

'SENSATIONAL' DAILY MAIL

THE UNMISSABLE, UNVARNISHED MEMOIRS OF BORIS JOHNSON

Boris Johnson has always been larger than life. Controversial, untrammelled by the normal rules of politics, his route to becoming Britain’s prime minister included a landmark career as a journalist, two terms as London’s mayor, leading the Vote Leave Brexit campaign and acting as foreign secretary. He won the largest Tory majority since 1987 when he went to the polls in December 2019 for a mandate to ‘Get Brexit Done’ – only to have his administration hit by the global Covid pandemic and toppled in a Tory putsch.

Unleashed is his account of his time in politics, and a book that shatters the mould of the modern prime ministerial memoir. Written in his inimitable style, it is honest, unrestrained and deeply revealing about the politician who has dominated our times.

This is his story of the fifteen years since he trounced Ken Livingstone at the polls to become mayor of London. Riots, tackling knife crime, bikes, buses, the London Olympics, and so much more. He writes about his role in Brexit, takes readers through all the big decisions and his reasons for taking them, and describes how he nearly died from Covid.

Underlying everything in the book is his view that the UK is an extraordinary country and should have an exceptional future. These are the reflections of a political leader who believes fundamentally in levelling up – that there are millions of people in Britain who do not have the present they need or the future they deserve, and that it is the first job of politicians to put this right.

It is all here. From soup to nuts, warts and all. As a journalist he was famed as a blurter of unsayable truths, and he has drawn again on this quality for the book. About people, policies, mistakes and triumphs. This is it – the reality as he saw it: unvarnished, unlocked, unleashed.

©2024 Boris Johnson (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers
21st Century Europe Great Britain Modern Politicians Politics & Activism Politics & Government Inspiring Thought-Provoking Witty Funny England

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Critic reviews

‘Johnson writes better than any other politician – his memoir is proof… Unleashed is incomparably more readable than a standard political memoir…A breezy Wodehousian persona wafts the reader along’

TELEGRAPH

‘Authentically amusing…he writes with energy and originality’

THE TIMES

‘A racy, charming and sometimes thought-provoking romp… teasingly settling a few scores with the likes of his former Downing Street advisers Dominic Cummings and Lee Cain, and — the Iago of the tale — Rishi Sunak. A rattling yarn in his own terms… he takes the reader inside his own doubts, uncertainties and — distinctly qualified — insecurities’

FINANCIAL TIMES

‘This is a box of Turkish Delight as addictive as the White Witch’s in Narnia. I defy anyone to finish the book without smiles constantly breaking out, and without having to acknowledge there is actually something heroic – often chaotic, but still heroic – about the man’s determination to champion Britain’s virtues’

MICHAEL GOVE, THE SPECTATOR

'Boris Johnson’s memoir is funny – occasionally properly, laugh-out-loud funny –and he knows how to spin an entertaining yarn. Unlike most other politicians, he can write. These are rare qualities in Westminster and his autobiography, when it hits fifth gear, is a reminder of what might have been; not least the impassioned defence of levelling-up and hymns to the opportunities of Brexit'

THE TIMES AND SUNDAY TIMES, Books of the Year

'The most eagerly awaited memoir of the year is also by far the most entertaining'

DAILY TELEGRAPH, Books of the Year

'Revelatory and entertaining in equal measure'

CAMILLA TOMINEY

All stars
Most relevant  
I was delighted when i saw the length of this title as I'm a real sucker for in-depth political memoirs, especially if well delivered as of course this is, But this will only re-enforce a listener's view of Johnson, it certainly won't change any minds, He's bombastic, garrulous and frankly for me very amusing, but he does come across (probably because it's the case) as a rather unserious politician, always looking for a wisecrack or funny gag. His regular use of the word "lefties" in a derogatory way is a good example of this,

He also for me goes into far too much detail about things not overly interesting, there are many many chapters on his time at the Foreign Office, and while some of it is interesting it does get tiresome.

How you view his account on Brexit depends i suspect on how you voted in the referendum; this listener completely agrees with him that the efforts to thwart Brexit from within the Conservative Party and the Establishment at large were a disgrace, others will feel the opposite.

There are some good gossipy anecdotes very well delivered, and his retelling of his interactions with Theresa May had me snorting with laughter.

Overall a jolly good use of a credit.

Enjoyable performance from a polarising PM

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Couldn’t put this down. Witty, revealing and with Boris’s charm and ebullience evident throughout. Whatever your views of his time in office this is a top read.

Hugely entertaining read

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Whatever your politics this is a very interesting listen. Boris Johnson is a great writer and he narrates his memoir brilliantly, it's easy to understand, clear and enjoyable. The reviews in the Media are clearly politically motivated and based on the reviewers feelings towards the aiuthor rather than the book itself anyone being fair will acknowledge this is a compelling memoir.

Entertaining

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I loved the explanations about what happened during Boris premiership. Made lots of scenarios a lot clearer to me. I feel he was as good for the Uk as Margaret Thatcher. I dislike the fact intensely that he was thrown under the bus by his colleagues. It was not for them to go against what the British public voted for! It opened the door for Labour who is far worse and will take the Uk back to the darkness of the 70’s. I do hope Boris comes back into politics like Donald Trump and makes the Uk great again.

Boris’s accomplishments

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This is simply a masterpiece; Johnson's narration is tremendous.
Fascinating in all aspects.
Honest about his shortcomings, failures, thoughts, triumphs, frustrations, Tory MPs, other country leaders, the media Etc.
Fantastic listen.

A masterpiece, Johnson's narration is tremendous

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The honesty of his account of his rise from mayorship to premiership was impressive. A very interesting review of Boris Johnson’s service to the British people.

Honesty and integrity of a challenging premiership.

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Boris Johnson appearing on the pages of this book is a thinker and a doer, who has highly developed ideas and vast experience in driving positive change. His honesty is refreshing - not having to pretend and fend off polical opponents anymore, he speaks openly about his gaffes and shortcomings. The delivery is, of course, impeccable.

Honesty and depth

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love him or hate them this is a fascinating look into the British politics over the last 10 years

very interesting look into politics

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A deep dive into his career. An absolute must read for any politico. Not only interesting but excellently written.

Excellent

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Like him or not it’s an amazing life he has had and committed to our county.

One of the best books I’ve ever listened to.

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