Inside Story: Politics, Intrigue and Treachery from Thatcher to Brexit

By: Philip Webster

Narrated by: Philip Webster

Length: 13 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

From one of the greatest political journalists of recent times, an insider's account of four decades of covering the British political scene, packed with tales of the biggest political happenings of the last half century.

Philip Webster covered politics for The Times newspaper for 43 years, including 18 years as its political editor. He has been at the centre of all the big stories of the past four decades - the fall of Labour in 1979, the rise and fall of Margaret Thatcher, the emergence and fall of John Major, the rise and fall of Tony Blair and his wars with Gordon Brown, the aftermath of 9/11, the war in Iraq, the fall of Brown, the rise and rise of David Cameron and the shock election of Jeremy Corbyn.

Webster offers fresh insight into the great stories of his time. He gives a frank and revelatory insider's account of great political events since Michael Heseltine brandished the Mace, the night the Callaghan government fell, the day Sir Geoffrey Howe brought down Margaret Thatcher, the day Tony Blair said farewell, the night MPs voted for war in Iraq and every Budget and autumn statement for 40 years.

With the wit and geniality that has made him so many friends in politics, he reveals how stories came into his hands and how political journalism influences events as they unfolded. He has witnessed what he terms a golden age of political journalism, and this book offers an intimate account of his trade. The essential handbook for anyone interested by the craft of journalism, Inside Story reviews three decades of lead stories and the many politicians, great and small, he has encountered.

©2016 Philip Webster (P)2016 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"Webster is simply the best - a journalist with a sensational range of stories." (Andrew Marr)
"Philip Webster is a journalist of real intelligence and integrity with an ability to get on with all sides of the political spectrum." (Alastair Campbell)
"One of the greatest political journalists of my lifetime." (Fraser Nelson, editor of The Spectator)
"A brilliant journalist." (Tony Blair)

Warning to non UK readers

This is a book written and read for those looking for a deeper prospective on 40 years of British politics. You need to know the basics before you try to read this. The book is not written chronologically which makes it hard to get through .
The details are there if you read long enough though. The narration is dull and uninspired. I think the thing that bothers me most is the diary like nature of the book. Snap shots and small glimpses are not the best way to tell a story.
The author does a good job humanizing the politicians he covered and places you where the action was in the stories he tells.
I recommend this book for those who want an understanding of what led to Brexit. However I would not start with it.