In a year rich in political memoirs, Speaking Out by Ed Balls is my pick of the bunch, full of anecdote, insight and authenticity'
Matthew d'Ancona
Evening Standard, BOOKS OF THE YEAR
Self-deprecating . . . often poignant.
Sunday Times Culture Magazine, BOOKS OF THE YEAR
An engaging, highly readable and ... Read moreon occasion moving portrayal of life in the Westminster madhouse.
The i, BEST POLITICAL BOOK OF THE YEAR
[U]nusually expansive on the emotional aspects of politicians' relationship with the voters, it feels somehow timely.
Guardian, BOOKS OF THE YEAR
A Christmas cracker of a book
Tablet, BOOKS OF THE YEAR
An easy-going, sharp-eyed guide to the world of politics: its madnesses, its triumphs, its disappointments. A book which is insightful, funny and, at key moments, unexpectedly moving.
Jonathan Freedland Witty, reflective and engaging Ed Balls peels back the politicians' thick skin (and smashes their protective shell) to reveal that underneath lie real-life human beings.
Nick Robinson If you want to know why people go into politics and, despite all the ups and downs, do everything to stay there, I'd recommend Ed Balls' honest and revealing autobiography.
Michael Palin Speaking Out is an enjoyable read... the essays stand alone as little gems of insight and reflection. The book illuminates someone who makes generous and nuanced judgements of foes as well as friends and tries hard to understand the motives of people who have crossed him. Passionate and telling... Balls is very clear that his defeat in his constituency in 2015 was a prelude to a funeral and a life outside politics. I suspect that the funeral was a prelude to a resurrection. This book will help him rise from the dead.
Vince Cable
New Statesman
Intriguing... compelling and affecting... has the poignant ring of truth.
Rafael Behr
Guardian
Personal and moving... I enjoyed reading it. It's pretty candid, full of amusing anecdotes and makes for a breezy canter through the last 20 years of British politics... original and effective.
George Osborne
Daily Mail
A thoughtful memoir, sometimes self-deprecating... always rational and balanced.
Chris Mullin
Observer
A fascinating, heartfelt and first-hand account of the brutality of British politics on the frontline. When Game of Thrones meets the Palace of Westminster, not even the strongest can survive.
Kay Burley Amusing, insightful and self-deprecating.
Alice Thomson
The Times
Balls tells his story with warmth, and spares us the self-justification of many political memoirs.
Roland White
Sunday Times
I have read Ed Balls's book, which I thought was superb.
Michael Gove
Evening Standard
An unexpectedly engaging read, accessible, warm and candid.
Jason Cowley
New Statesman
The best political book I've read this year... if you are at all interest in the body politic, you should read it. I can almost guarantee you will both enjoy it and learn from it. It's a book which should be read not only by current cabinet ministers, but everyone involved in politics at whatever level. I can't recommend it too highly.
Iain Dale
www.iaindale.com
One of the best political memoirs of recent years, one that's funny, insightful and self-deprecating.
Choice
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