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Precipice

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Precipice

By: Robert Harris
Narrated by: Samuel West
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES NUMBER ONE BESTSELLING AUTHOR

Summer 1914. A world on the brink of catastrophe.

In London, 26-year-old Venetia Stanley – aristocratic, clever, bored, reckless – is having a love affair with the Prime Minister, H. H. Asquith, a man more than twice her age. He writes to her obsessively, sharing the most sensitive matters of state.

As Asquith reluctantly leads the country into war with Germany, a young intelligence officer is assigned to investigate a leak of top secret documents – and suddenly what was a sexual intrigue becomes a matter of national security that will alter the course of political history.

Seamlessly weaving fact and fiction in a way that no writer does better, Precipice is the thrilling new novel from Robert Harris.

‘A riveting tale of politics, war and erotic obsession’ Sunday Times

'Harris writes with a skill and ingenuity that few other novelists can match' Financial Times

©2024 Robert Harris (P)2024 Penguin Audio 20th Century Espionage Historical Historical Fiction Spies & Politics Suspense Thriller & Suspense World War I Exciting War

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Critic reviews

I’m not fond of the word masterpiece, but this is a masterpiece (Nigella Lawson)
Splendid (Max Hastings)
All stars
Most relevant  
Excellent. I was excited to see another Robert Harris book. Thought I’d take my time but have been aching to listen more. Fascinating reading around the story about the history around world war 1. Wonderful performance. Hope you enjoy too!

Pulls you in

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what a clever balance of fiction and non fiction composed in a member that is gripping and exciting. I finished this over a day as I was left intrigued and curious.
WW1 is a point in time I had never learnt about, this has left me intrigued and inspired to learn more.
Brilliantly narrated.
Highly recommend!

Brilliantly written novel

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Robert Harris has a knack for lighting on a fascinating episode of history – in his 16th novel, the affair between then prime minister Herbert Henry Asquith and the “lithe, vivacious” aristocrat Venetia Stanley during the lead-up to the first world war – and creating from it a tight and satisfying plot.

A fascinating episode of history

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This is the true life story of a forbidden romance between an aging Prime Minister and a much younger aristocratic person during the First World War. It is staggering in it's detail. It is beautifully written. Any would-be author should read this. Robert Harris is a writer of great talent.

a Gripping BRILLIANT book.

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Riveting despite a “dry” topic. Harris really is a masterful historical “faction” writer. Highly recommended

Fascinating to read a potential narrative surrounding high politics and society around and at the outbreak of WWI

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What an amazing book beautifully narrated by Simon West. Utterly unputdownable. Fascinating insight into the 1st World War.

Fascinating!

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Thoroughly enjoyed listening to this brilliant book. Highly recommend it to anyone interested in historical love affairs and wartime love letters.

Brilliant book

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The performance was brilliantly nuanced and paced , which enhanced a superb work, which I cannot describe as a novel with its basis in actual events and texts. Harris' imagination and skill further enlivened an amazing story.

outstanding

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This was one of those books which leaves you feeling slightly bereft when it finishes. I loved the clever interplay of fact and fiction and felt I was given a real insight into the mindset which played such a significant part in the unfolding of WW1. The romance was both touching and shocking. The narration was superb.

Totally captivating

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A great listen, well told, brilliantly read, you feel you are in the room with the main characters.

The atmosphere of history unfolding.

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