What everyone should know about government.

While ministers and many in the media blame the civil servants who can't speak up for themselves. Sam Freedman exposes a decades long march into ineffectual governance, with short term ministers making even shorter term policies for no longer than the news cycle.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

A tour de force that makes an esoteric subject both accessible and entertaining

The breadth of knowledge shared in this book is astounding but what is more so, is the accessibility and clarity of how it’s presented. This book provides a real education in how our politics works - often in terrifying, frustrating and eye-roll-inducing detail. But it’s also hopeful; things can be better if we just commit to them being. This book could easily leave you in despair but there’s often a lightness and deftness of explanation that avoids it becoming too bleak and provides some hopeful, pragmatic alternatives. Not a book you’ll listen to only once.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Best on the subject that I have heard

I have just completed this in more or less a single sitting. Thank goodness for annual leave.

This is narrated by the author and he does it well.

The book is well laid out and sticks to the point throughout. Unlike other analyses and commentaries, this one doesn't stray into finger-pointing of try to score points from one side or another.

It is straightforward and frank. Well worth the listen.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

When will things actually change?

An efficient and well balanced critique of the weaknesses and failures of our 'so called' democracy. Vested interests hold unseen but near total control of the state, its government and Parliament. It's created an elected dictatorship with little mind to make government more transparent, accountable or equitable. Apart from weak and failing government structures there is also the poisoning and unaccountable influence of social media and media billionaires who suppress any challenge to their extensive power.

On the one hand informative, on the other, depressing. Interesting and well narrated. You'll certainly be well informed after reading/ listening to this volume.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

excellent diagnosis of the major issues affecting the country

I think it got even better after the first chapter, which was a bit nerdy even for me. stick with it!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Fascinating exploration

Detailed and interesting exploration of our recent and current political situation from someone who has the inside knowledge of how it currently (doesn't) work.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Forensic, insightful & compelling

Everything you ever wanted to know about why government goes wrong, littered with insider interviews & revealing anecdotes from Sam’s career as an advisor at the DfE. Tremendous.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

The need for chang

Although I didn't agree with all the ideas stated here, the book does give a good précis of why we are in our present mess. We do have to change, we can all see that, although I think Sam's belief in localism is a bit naive, we have to do something as what we are doing now clearly doesn't work. He is right when he says we spend too much time looking back, something which will increase with an aging population.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!