The Cameron Delusion

By: Peter Hitchens

Narrated by: Peter Hitchens

Length: 6 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's Summary

The struggle between the main political parties has been reduced to an unpopularity contest, in which voters hold their noses and sigh as they trudge to the polls. Peter Hitchens explains how and why British politics has sunk to this dreary level - the takeover of the parties and the media by conventional left-wing dogmas which then call themselves 'the centre ground'. The Tory party under David Cameron has become a pale-blue twin of New Labour, offering change without alteration.

Hitchens, a former Lobby reporter, examines and mocks the flock mentality of most Westminster journalists, explains how unattributable lunches guide coverage and why so many reporters - once slavish admirers of Labour - now follow the Tory line.

This updated edition of Hitchens' The Broken Compass (2009) features a brand new introduction. In an excoriating analysis, Hitchens examines the Tory Party's record in government and opposition, dismissing it as a failure on all fronts but one - the ability to win office without principle. The one thing it certainly isn't is conservative.

©2010 Peter Hitchens (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Peter and his brother are both in their own ways,

Amazing. I side with Peter on a great deal and found this wildly illuminating.
In particular, the discussion on the demise of railways and the subsiding of motor transport and the subsequent atomization in the UK and the US and the root it is to the worst aspects of social disconnectedness in UK and US society. In this discussion, it shows the ironic connection between the Wendell Berry agrarian yeoman impulse and the granola Jane Jacob's world. I love it when the left and right both like to keep things on a human scale and bring about natural connectedness. I always lament one of my favorite presidents creating the interstate system in the US. I wonder how many of today's ills are atteibutable to it.

A dazzling trip through the eyes of a traditional, honourable Englishman

This book was originally titled "The broken compass" and should have been left that way, as it is far more accurate a title. Mr Hitchens travels through past and present, exposing the fake divisions between left and right. He talk about issues that, rather than having aged. Almost seem prophetic in as much as this book feels even more accurate now than when it was written. The joke of modern politics is not lost on this author. Neither is the sad decline of bBritain as a result. This is in my MUST READ section of books. Few though they are. If you are familiar with the author, then you may think you know what to expect. But uncensored and unrestricted by tv time and other restraints Mr Hitchens goes far deeper than we normally get to see or hear. Something I am gratefull of.

2 people found this helpful

Excellent diagnosis of modern British politics.

Still relevant 10 years after publication, Hitchens remains as unrepentantly barbed and direct as you would expect. A required read.

Another moaning Hitchens book.

Peter Hitchens is wonderful at moaning and complaining about the degeneration of Britain and absolute state of its political figures. When ever I feel like listening to a good rant I always turn to Hitchens. Would recommend to anyone.

Intelligent, brave and wise political analysis

Much has changed in British politics since Peter Hitchens wrote this book in 2009 but his intelligent, brave and wise analysis is as relevant and necessary as ever.

1 person found this helpful

Disappointed in you Peter!

I was really looking forward to this as I enjoy Mr Hitchens' rigour and excoriating analysis. I was keen to learn more about our odious former PM. Sadly by chapter two I was bored of the diatribe against single mothers. Also the narration was too fast. I'll go back to watching him on YouTube and TV, and to radio interviews and will of course give the latest book about WW2 a go. Maybe he's better when engaged in debate rather than lengthy monologue, which became a bit of a diatribe. Disappointed fan

Very badly written book attacking a straw man

If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?

I don't think anyone will enjoy this. If you want to listen to the conservative point of view backed up by evidence and reasoned argument then there are dozens of better authors out there.

Would you ever listen to anything by Peter Hitchens again?

NO. I listened to him on question time and thought he might have interesting ideas. Against gay marriage, television, Europe, roads. mass immigration etc. He doesn't however present any kind of evidence for his arguments and instead calls his opponents Revolutionary's, socialists and Utopians.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Badly. He can't finish a sentence properly and often mumbles at the end.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Annoyance. When listening to Milton Friedman, Nigel Farage, Thomas Sowell, Margret Thatcher they often elicit an interest in their ideas. This did nothing but just convince me Peter Hitchens was born 100 years before his time.

Any additional comments?

Don;t buy this book. Peter Hitchens doesn't present a proper argument against David Cameron but just rages against things that annoy him.

4 people found this helpful