In the Thick of It: The Private Diaries of a Minister by Alan Duncan - Non Fiction - Hardback

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Details. Condition: New. Format: Hardback. ISBN: 9780008422264. Publisher: William Collins. Age Range: Adult. Overview. In the Thick of It is the riotously candid diary of Sir Alan Duncan, charting his years as a senior Foreign Office minister during the most turbulent stretch of modern British politics. Covering the run-up to the 2016 referendum through to the UK's eventual departure from the EU, it offers a front-row seat to the chaos, comedy and crisis behind the headlines, blending acid wit with genuine political insight into the personalities who shaped Brexit Britain.. About the Book. Written by Sir Alan Duncan, who served as Minister of State at the Foreign Office and effectively deputised for the Foreign Secretary during one of the most dramatic periods in recent UK history, these diaries chronicle daily life inside government from 2016 to 2019. As two prime ministers fall, two general elections unfold and a no-confidence vote is survived, Duncan records an unvarnished, often laugh-out-loud account of high politics and low intrigue in equal measure. Readers get first-hand anecdotes about Boris Johnson and other cabinet colleagues, alongside sharp observations on the petty rivalries, spectacular gaffes and genuine crises that defined the Brexit years. Praised by the Daily Mail as one of the most explosive political diaries ever published, and compared to the sensational Alan Clark Diaries of the 1990s, this hardback memoir combines the immediacy of a personal journal with the authority of a senior insider. It is a book that captures both the absurdity and the seriousness of governing during a period of profound national upheaval, told with a distinctive, often mischievous voice that rarely pulls its punches. For anyone trying to understand how modern British politics really works behind closed doors, this diary is essential, entertaining reading.. Authoritative insider access: written by a senior Foreign Office minister present at key Brexit-era decisions.. Candid and entertaining: combines sharp political analysis with genuine laugh-out-loud moments.. Rich cast of characters: first-hand accounts of Boris Johnson, Theresa May and other leading political figures.. Durable hardback edition: a well-made collectible format built to last on any bookshelf.. Ideal gift: perfect for political science students, teachers and lovers of contemporary UK history.. About the Author. Sir Alan Duncan was the UK's Foreign Minister, and the de facto Deputy Foreign Secretary, from 2016 to 2019. He was the Member of Parliament for Rutland and Melton until stepping down in 2019, having previously served as Minister of State for International Development from 2010 to 2014. For over thirty years he was at the centre of British political life, involved in every Conservative Party leadership contest since John Major's succession. His unique vantage point at the heart of government gives these diaries rare authenticity and depth.. Why You'll Love This Political Diary. Sharp, funny and unflinchingly honest, this diary turns the drama of Brexit Britain into a compelling, page-turning read. A must for anyone fascinated by modern political history.. Please Note: Cover shown may vary slightly; this listing is for the genuine UK edition with the ISBN as stated.