Politics On the Edge

Theres no denying that Rory Stewart stands almost alone among British politicians: hes one of a handful who can actually turn a phrase. That talent is put to good use here no other account of how Cameron Toryism curdled into May and Johnson is likely to be as evocative or amusing as this one * The Times, *The Times Political Book of the Year* * If you want to better understand the catastrophe that has been our government since 2010, or you just want to bask in Stewarts beautifully formulated prose, read this book * New Statesman, *Books of the Year* * A brilliant insiders account of the Cameron-May-Johnson years * FT, Books of the Year 2023 * It is the sheer sharpness, originality and truth-telling grace of Stewarts prose, along with the vital importance of his subject, that makes his new book a truly exceptional political autobiography, both a pleasure to read, and a vital wake-up call * Scotsman, *Books of the Year* * Beautifully written... You glimpse how transformative government could be -- Gaby Hinsliff * Guardian, Books of the Year 2023 * A fascinating account of power, corruption and lies * i, *Books of the Year* * [Stewarts] memoir of his time in politics is valuable as a slice of entertainment, as an enjoyably catty takedown of his former colleagues, and as perhaps the most helpful recent account of the failings of the British state a valuable contribution to the historical record * Sunday Times, *Political Book of the Year* * Few books on politics are worth reading, but this is riveting. Beautifully written, with a highly personal, deeply felt slant, it really does make one want to turn over the page * Church Times, *Books of the Year* * The sharpness of the character sketches and the restless nature of the author, buy turns self-loving and self-loathing, make it burst with life -- Craig Brown * Observer, *Books of the Year* * The most exceptional political memoir Ive ever read -- Alan Johnson Stewart is a writer and his first loyalty is to his readers. Most of them will share his despair at the small-time mediocrities who dominate modern politics. Almost all will appreciate the books viciousness, eccentricity, wit and intelligence * The Times, *Book of the Week* * Rarely before has the life of a government minister been described in such granular detail or with such literary flair... This book is a vital work of documentation: Orwell down the coal mine, Swift on religious excess. We should be grateful it was written and that Stewart never stopped being interesting.' -- Alan Johnson * Guardian, *Book of the Day* * The most compelling account I have read in recent years of the ways in which the British political system makes good government nigh-on impossible -- Charlotte Ivers * Sunday Times, *Book of the Week* * A superbly readable book. Former Tory minister Rory Stewart exposes the shameful state of recent Conservative rule in this brilliant and blisteringly frank account of dysfunctional government -- Luke Harding * Observer * Few political memoirs last for long. Rory Stewarts Politics on the Edge may be an exception Stewarts memoir is a brilliant portrait of the Cameron-May-Johnson era. It is likely to become a classic on a par with Clarks diaries * Financial Times * One of the best books on politics our era will see a book of astonishing literary quality -- Matthew Parris * Times Literary Supplement * Anyone with the slightest interest in politics should get a copy of Rory Stewart's political memoir... In terms of the quality of writing, there has been nothing to approach it since the diaries of Alan Clark -- Dominic Lawson * Daily Mail * A significant book candid, beautifully observed, written by someone with a questioning intelligence and a burning desire to make the world a better place -- Chris Mullin * Spectator * It is the sheer sharpness, originality and truth-telling grace of Stewarts prose, along with the vital importance of his su

Rory Stewart served in the UK Cabinet as Secretary of State for International Development, and before that as Prisons Minister, Minister for Africa, Minister for Development, Environment Minister and Chair of the Defence Committee. He ran against Boris Johnson for the leadership of the Conservative Party in 2019. Earlier in his career he was briefly in the British Army, before serving as a diplomat in Indonesia, the Balkans and Iraq, establishing and running a charity in Afghanistan, and holding a chair at Harvard University. His 21-month 6,000-milewalk across Asia, including Afghanistan, is recorded in his New York Times bestseller, The Places in Between. His other books include Occupational Hazards, and The Marches. Stewart is now the president of the non-profit organisation GiveDirectly, a visiting fellow at Yale's Jackson School and the co-host with Alastair Campbell of the UK's leading podcast The Rest Is Politics. He tweets at @RoryStewartUK.