Johnson at 10

Chosen as a non-fiction highlight of 2023 in The Times and the Observer

After his sudden rise to power in the summer of 2019 amid the Brexit deadlock, Boris Johnson presided over the most dramatic period of British history in almost a century. From the controversial prorogation of Parliament in August 2019 to the historic landslide victory later that year, the agonising upheaval of Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic - and the scandals unleashed by both - the Afghanistan crisis, and the conflict in Ukraine, Johnson's premiership was more turbulent than any other in living memory.

This gripping work of contemporary history maps Johnson's time in power across ten decisive moments and sheds light on the most divisive and inscrutable prime minister since Margaret Thatcher. Based on major interviews with key aides and allies, Anthony Seldon and Raymond Newell give the first full account of Boris Johnson's explosive time in office.

Excellent.... Even those already pretty sceptical about Johnson will find this book eye opening. For their first-class account, Seldon and Newell have interviewed advisers and officials and gained a very good insight into what was going on behind the door of No 10 Daniel Finkelstein, The Times
An authoritative, gripping and often jaw-dropping account of the bedlam behind the black door of Number 10 Andrew Rawnsley, Observer
The authoritative account of what [Johnson] did with his time in power... explosive Isabel Hardman, the i
Excellent Andrew Sparrow, Guardian
Compulsively readable and well-sourced... Seldon and Newell are the first to expose in detail how Johnson's No. 10 worked -- or, rather, how it didn't... A ripping yarn Patrick Maguire, The Times
Seldon and Newell have done a service to us all... If seeking instruction on how not to be a prime minister or, indeed, any kind of minister, this account should prove invaluable. New Statesman
A detailed and damning account of Boris Johnson's rise to power and period as prime minister. Financial Times, Best summer books of 2023
Every bit the damning indictment you would expect... Compelling John Crace, Guardian
Johnson at 10 is rich with first-hand accounts of those who saw him at work - and are still trying to process what happened Financial Times
This is a terrific book: a page-turning humdinger, a switchback ride through recent contemporary history unlike anything you have ever read. The Tablet
Jaw-dropping... shows us what goes wrong in practical terms when someone unwilling even to learn how to govern, to apply himself properly to serious work and self-improvement, becomes prime minister. Iain Martin, The Times
Utterly scathing... a timely reminder of how good government should work Guardian
The scale of disfunction is laid bare in Johnson at 10, a history which might alternatively be titled "How not to be Prime Minister" Robert Shrimsley, Financial Times
Johnson's flaws are brutally highlighted... Seldon and his co-writer Raymond Newell give the most comprehensive - and enjoyable - account yet of what exactly happened during Johnson's three years at No 10. -- George Parker Politics Home
[T]he authoritative account of what he [Johnson] did with his time in power The Scotsman
This is a terrific book, a real page-turner, and a fascinating account of an administration that was both very significant and hugely disappointing. Morning Star
Replete with stories of bombast, ego and foolishness. Daily Express
[T]his compelling book will be the first one that future biographers go to. And they'll enjoy it Sunday Independent
The great value of [this] book... is that it provides the layman and the historian with a treasure trove of interviews, and of insights from the heart of government The Times on May at 10
Extraordinarily detailed... fair yet devastating Sunday Times on May at 10

Sir Anthony Seldon is an educator, historian, writer and commentator. A former headmaster and vice-chancellor, he's a director of the Royal Shakespeare Company and Chair of the National Archives Trust. He is author or editor of over forty books on contemporary history, politics and education, including The Impossible Office?, May at 10 and The Path of Peace.

Raymond Newell is a contemporary historian and researcher, holding Masters degrees in Political Economy and Data Science from King's College London and the University of Oxford. Newell has previously collaborated with Anthony Seldon as co-author on May at 10, and currently works in Public Affairs and Communications at Hanbury Strategy.

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