Blogs, Boris and Peter Oborne

1. New: Peter Oborne's 'The Triumph of the Political Class'
2. New: Iain Dale's 'Guide to Political Blogging in the UK 2007-2008'
3. New: 'Peter Thorneycroft' by Stanley Crooks
4. New: Mark Oaten on 'Coalition'
5. New: 'The Little Book of Boris'

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Note from the Editor
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Dear Politico's Customer

With the party conference season in full swing there's a wealth of new books coming through. This week we lead with Peter Oborne's brilliantly argued The Triumph of the Ruling Class which shows the chilling reality of how things now work in the mother of all parliaments. It is described as "one of the most important works of political analysis since Anthony Sampson's Anatomy of Britain".

Iain Dale has listed 1,200 political blogs active in the UK at present. But his new guide provides much more than a directory - it includes a listing of the 500 top blogs by category, insightful articles by 30 leading bloggers and commentators, profiles of over 50 leading blogs and much more.

Stanley Crooks' excellent life of Peter Thorneycroft has an Introduction by Lord Carrington and includes colour illustrations throughout', and Mark Oaten's timely 'Coalition' recalls the politics and personalities of coalition government from 1850 and poses the question as to whether or not coalition governments ever work?

And we round off with 'The Little Book of Boris', a hugely entertaining compilation of witticisms and comment (aka 'Boris-isms') from the great man, accompanied by a fact-file, a bibliography and more

Best wishes,

editor@politicos.co.uk

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1. New: Peter Oborne's The Triumph of the Political Class
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Both an extension of and a companion to his acclaimed expose of political mendacity, 'The Rise of Political Lying', Peter Oborne's new book reveals in devastating fashion just how far we have left behind us the idea of people going into politics for that quaint reason, to serve the public. Notions of the greater good and putting something back now seem absurdly idealistic, such is the pervasiveness of cynicism in our politics and politicians. Of course, self-interest has always played a part, and Oborne will show how our current climate owes much to the venality of the eighteenth century. But in these allegedly enlightened times should we not know better? Do we not deserve better from those who seek our electoral approval? Full of revealing and insightful stories and anecdotes to support his case, and with a passionate call for reform, The Triumph of the Political Class is destined to be one of the defining political books of 2007.

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2. New: Iain Dale's Guide to Political Blogging in the UK 2007-2008
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Political blogs used to be a sideline show. Now, in just a few years, they have developed into an essential part of political dialogue and reporting. In similar vein, Iain Dale's 'Guide to Political Blogging' started life as a small pamphlet and has now become a 268-page book which does much, much more than just provide the only comprehensive directory of its kind. There are more than 30 contributing articles from leading bloggers and commentators, there is a 'Who's Who' section. technical information, the top 500 blogs of course and classified lists of the top 100 Conservative, Labour, Lib Dem and Non-Aligned blogs, the top 30 MP blogs, 60 media blogs and 30 councillor blogs.

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3. New: Peter Thorneycroft by Stanley Crooks
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Handsomely produced, Stanley Crooks' new biography has received much praise from senior politicians:

"Peter Thorneycroft was consistently ahead of others in his thinking, and behind them in his search for personal recognition. Stanley Crooks' biography brings this remarkable man alive with lessons as pertinent for today, as they were for his own time." - John Major.

"A meticulous tribute to the Conservative Chancellor who was one of the first to blaze the trail towards economic sanity." - Geoffrey Howe

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4. New:Mark Oaten on Coalition
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As the prospect of a hung parliament looms large, our political protagonists can learn much from the politics and personalities of the past. Mark Oaten's story of coalition government begins in the 1850s, with Disraeli fighting for his political life and Queen Victoria's battle to find a Prime Minister from the Whigs and Peelites driving her to despair. At the start of the following century, the First World War threw Lloyd George into the limelight but nearly killed the Liberal Party; Ramsay MacDonald's coalition in the 1930s saw him become leader without his party, who many felt he had betrayed, and Churchill’s Great War coalition helped bring victory at war but not in peace.

Decades later, two generations and parties came together with David Steel and Jim Callaghan forming the Lib-Lab pact, something Blair and Ashdown's "project" never managed to emulate. North of the border, a deal did come off, resulting in Scotland being run by coalition government for 8 years. Throughout Europe, coalitions are the norm but recent political events in Italy and Germany have been far from normal. All these lessons from history are drawn together by Mark Oaten as he looks forward to the next election and reflects on whether hung parliaments and coalitions can ever work.

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5. New: The Little Book of Boris
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"Hello, I'm your MP. Actually I'm not. I'm your candidate. Gosh." - Canvassing in Henley, 2005.

"Their policy on cake is pro-having it and pro-eating it." - Discussing Liberal Democrat policies

There are few politicians who could genuinely be described as a phenomenon. Boris Johnson is one. Boris has star quality. He is loved by many, ridiculed by some, feared by others. This 'little' book contains a selection of the best Boris-isms, collected together by Iain Dale in a pocket-sized guide to all things Boris. Included are quotes by Boris and quotes about him, plus a handy reference to the history of Boris. An absolute must-have for all Boris fans.


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Endquote
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"Of all the vulgar acts of government, that of solving every difficulty that might arise by thrusting the hand into the public purse is the most illusory and contemptible."

- Sir Robert Peel

Taken from Iain Dale's selection of 500 of the Most Witty, Acerbic & Erudite Things Ever Said About Politics

Politico's Bookshop Bulletin: Junk Medicine

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Politico's Bookshop Bulletin
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1. New: Theodore Dalrymple's Junk Medicine
2. New: The Political Campaigning Handbook
3. In Paperback: Simon Jenkins' Thatcher and Sons
4. New: Nixon and Kissinger
5. New: Politipedia

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Note from the Editor
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Dear Politico's Customer

Almost everything you know about heroin addiction is wrong. In his provocative new book Junk Medicine: Doctors, Lies and the Addiction Bureaucracy , Theodore Dalrymple argues that addiction to heroin is not an illness, and that doctors only make it worse.

An essential part of any campaigner’s armory, Lionel Zetter's The Political Campaigning Handbook guides you through every stage of a political campaign, whether for parliamentary, local or council positions.

Now available in paperback, Simon Jenkins' much praised Thatcher and Sons, winner of the 2007 Channel 4 Political Book of the Year award, argues that Margaret Thatcher’s legacy has continued down to the present. Not just John Major, but Tony Blair and Gordon Brown are her heirs and acolytes.

Robert Dallek is one of America's most distinguished historians and his joint biography Nixon and Kissinger: Partners in Power provides a startling new portrait and a new understanding of the immense power and sway these two men held in affecting world history.

Can you name the ten Cabinet Secretaries who have held office since World War I , or the ten political powers vested in the monarch, or could you name thirty songs for a political karaoke? They're all in the ultimate quirky reference book for voters, students and the entire population of the Westminster village - Nick Inman's Politipedia: A Compendium of Useful and Curious Facts about British Politics.


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1. New: Theodore Dalrymple's Junk Medicine
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Based on his experience as a prison doctor and as a psychiatrist in a large general hospital in Birmingham, Theodore Dalrymple exposes the mythology surrounding heroin addiction. Moving seamlessly between literature, pharmacology, history and philosophy, he demonstrates what happens when the nature of a social problem is so thoroughly misunderstood, and when human beings are regarded as inanimate objects rather than as agents of their own destiny. His scintillating, iconoclastic book has an importance far beyond its immediate subject matter.

"Theodore Dalrymple is a brilliant observer of both medicine and society, and his book wittily engages with two versions of the current nonsense: orthodox medicine on drug addiction, and romantic poets on the wisdom you supposedly enjoy from getting high."
- Kenneth Minogue, professor emeritus at The London School of Economics and author of 'The Liberal Mind'

Buy Junk Medicine: Doctors, Lies and the Addiction Bureaucracy in hardback.

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2. New: The Political Campaigning Handbook
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Aimed at the many thousands of people who take part in election campaigns every year, The Political Campaigning Handbook is a 'how-to' guide to fighting elections on the ground. From the top-down of the political party campaign machine, Lionel Zetter, a veteran of many a campaign, describes the steps necessary to win those all-important seats. Whether you are fighting for parliamentary, local or council positions, every stage of the combat is described; from the bureaucracy surrounding the selection process, to the timetable that must be followed to keep your application on track, and cunning tactics to fill up both the coffers of the ‘war chest’ and the lists of constituents who pledge their vote.

Buy The Political Campaigning Handbook in paperback.

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3. In Paperback: Simon Jenkins' Thatcher and Sons'
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The history of Britain in the last thirty years, under both Conservative and Labour governments, has been dominated by one figure - Margaret Thatcher. Her election marked a decisive break with the past and her premiership transformed not just her country, but the nature of democratic leadership. In his 'argued history', now available in paperback, Simon Jenkins analyses this revolution from its beginnings in the turmoil of the 1970s through the social and economic changes of the 1980s. Was Thatcherism a mere medicine for an ailing economy or a complete political philosophy? And did it eventually fall victim to the dogmatism and control which made it possible? This is the story of the events, personalities, defeats and victories which will be familiar to all those who lived through them, but seen through a new lens. It is also an argument about how Thatcher's legacy has continued down to the present. Not just John Major, but also Tony Blair and Gordon Brown are her heirs and acolytes. And as the Conservative party reinvents itself as a viable political force once again, is the age of Thatcher finally over?

Buy Thatcher and Sons in paperback and save 35%

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4. New: Nixon and Kissinger
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Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger were two of the most compelling and contradictory world leaders in the second half of the 20th century. Both were largely self-made men, brimming with ambition, driven by their own inner demons, and often ruthless in pursuit of their goals. Tapping into a wealth of recently declassified documents and tapes Robert Dallek, one of America’s most distinguished historians, uncovers fascinating details about Nixon and Kissinger’s tumultuous personal relationship—their collaboration and rivalry—and the extent to which they struggled to outdo each other in the reach for foreign policy achievements. He also brilliantly analyzes their dealings with power brokers at home and abroad. Authoritative, illuminating, and deeply engrossing, 'Nixon and Kissinger' provides a startling new portrait and a new understanding of the immense power and sway these two men held in affecting world history..

Buy Nixon and Kissinger: Partners in Power in hardback and save 25%



Also recently published - Richard Milhous Nixon: The Invincible Quest by Conrad Black


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5. New: Politipedia: A Compendium of Useful and Curious Facts about British Politics
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An ideal new reference for anyone looking to discover where their vote (and money!) actually go, or for those looking for quotes and fascinating titbits. Politipedia captures the entertaining essence of politics without taking up too much of the reader’s valuable time. From listing the bars and refreshment points throughout the Palace of Westminster to a section entitled "Quangos (and Gocos) - A beginner's guide to everyday agency-spotting" , Nick Inman sets out to ask all the vital questions about politics and then attempts to find answers to them – getting to the heart of each subject with brevity and humour.

Buy Politipedia now from Politico's and receive 35% discount.

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Endquote
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"I am humble enough to recognise that I have made mistakes, but politically astute enough to have forgotten what they are."

- Michael Heseltine

Taken from Iain Dale's selection of 500 of the Most Witty, Acerbic & Erudite Things Ever Said About Politics


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