Politics

Between the Extremes

By: Nick Clegg

Narrated by: Nick Clegg

Length: 8 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

Politics has changed. Five years ago Britain had a coalition government built on compromise. Now the Conservatives rule unchallenged, a chasm has opened up between Left and Right and the centre ground is deserted.

Nick Clegg knows the volatile state of modern politics better than anyone else. Here he offers a frank and honest account of his experiences - from his spectacular rise in the 2010 election through his tumultuous years as Deputy Prime Minister to a brutal defeat in 2015 - in order to tell the inside story of this change and reflect on what it means for our future.

He writes candidly about his own mistakes - including the controversy around tuition fees - the tense standoffs within government and the sometimes bizarre challenges he faced. He lifts the lid on the arcane world of Westminster, offering startling insights into the hidden workings of government, and reflects deeply on the decision to enter coalition with the Conservatives.

In a rapidly and profoundly changing world, he argues that the long-term survival of progressive politics relies more than ever on the radical reform of our outdated political system. Whatever your political persuasion, if you wish to understand how Britain is run today you cannot afford to ignore this audiobook.

©2016 Nick Clegg (P)2016 Random House Audiobooks

An essay to liberals

More of a 3.5 starts... Listened to this on my commute - some interesting insights into the coalition and Nick Clegg's hindsight and vision. The middle got a bit stale and repetitive (felt almost whiney) - if short on time maybe just read/listen to the first chapter and last two!
However, if interested in politics I recommend to give it a go - it's worth the air time

Insightful and honest from beginning to end

This is an interesting and insightful book, with excellent narration by Nick himself. All chapters are revealing, honest accounts of a wide range of issues, from the Coalition, personal and political mistakes and public perception to the nature of power, Whitehall and more current affairs affecting us all. Although written from a Brittish standpoint, Nick's thoughts, experiences, and analyses are applicable far beyond the borders of the U.K.

I particularly like Nick's take on modern Liberalism and what it ought to be. Indeed, one can make the argument that the book (or at least part of it) could be considered a paper making the case for Liberalism and how it should be defined and used moving forward. Or to put it another way, the great need for and value of reason, moderation, compromise, tolerance, transparency, and accountability.

If you are interested in politics, regardless of your ideological persuasion, I can warmly recommend this book to you.