Political reads - novels or non-fiction

[AnonymousBird]

I'm not a "political" person, but I love to follow politics in the general sense and wondered whether anyone had any recommendations (fiction or non fiction) for a good read on the subject? I did a module in US/UK politics as part of my degree, and was left wishing I had just done a politics degree full stop as I found it all so interesting. That was years ago and I never really looked into what I might be able to read on the subject at the time. My interest has recently been reignited.

For example, I absolutely loved "Primary Colours" - I find the whole way these things can work so fascinating.

I have on the shelf, but not yet read "the Political Animal" by Paxman.

What else is there in this genre please?

I really loved "When the lights went out" which is a political history of the 70s. It's an easy read, with a real narrative energy.

I read a lot of books about New Labour but haven't tried anything more up to date than that - and I will be hoping someone comes along with recommendations. I think there was a Philip Gould book I really enjoyed on New Labour.

End Of A Party - Andrew Rawnsley (about Labour party fall from power. Not read it but it's supposed to be amazing)

Game Change (About USA election race when Obama won. Can't remember who it's by and it might have a different title over here. I'll have a look and come back to you!)

Hilary Clintons book is really good. Lots of stuff about how the Republicans were constantly gunning for them.

Hope this helps!

Oh wow, these are precisely the kind of books I was hoping to find out there! Any one of those I'd be interested in. Especially interested in the 70's stuff plus Obama/Clinton...

Actually just remembered - I started Alastair Campbell's diaries. I am not a fan of his at all, but it was proving to be an interesting read. Unfortunately I left the book at the place we were staying. Fortunately though, I'm going there in April again, so I can reacquaint myself!

What A Carve-Up by Jonathan Coe is a brilliant, entertaining political novel. One of my favourite books - definitely read it!

The Northern Clemency by Philip Hensher is less overtly political - it's a family saga set in Sheffield in the 70s; the background is the social and political change going on at the time.

American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld is a fictionalised version of Laura Bush's life. Convincing portrayal of marrying someone whose political views are very different from your own, but loving them anyway.

GB84 by David Peace, a novel about the miners' strike.

House of Cards by Michael Dobbs - great stuff about the UK system and was a fantastic mini-series on the Beeb.

I also enjoyed 'When the Lights Went Out'

The Hugo Young Papers are absolutely fascinating - his notes from talking to politicians from the 70s onwards (actually, I found them fascinating up to the end of the last Tory government, I don't think he had the same contacts in the Blair administration & he got on a bit of a Europe hobbyhorse). From what you say I think you would really enjoy them.

Eric Hobsbawm's autobiography Interesting Times is an easy read & zips you through the politics of the 20th C (unlike his 'Age of' series which will leave you feeling well informed but slightly reeling if you're like me)

I liked Chris Mullin's diaries though I found them best read piecemeal, they got a bit samey read all in one go.