Overview

'A wonderfully engaging, honest and witty portrait of the humiliations, idealism, nobility and banality of democratic life' - Rory Stewart, author of Politics on the Edge 'Wryly self-deprecating, but also informative and illuminating' - Matt Cooper As Ireland's Minister for Housing, Eoghan Murphy took on one of the toughest briefs in government, one that continues to be a challenge today. Looking back at his life in the build-up to parliamentary office and at his time in the cabinet, Eoghan brings a self-lacerating and deeply personal view of the life of a modern politician trying - and often failing - to make the positive change he hoped to deliver. Brutal and sometimes harrowing, Eoghan's tale is also surprisingly funny, though the humour is only ever at the author's expense. If, in the end, all political careers end in failure, why didn't anyone tell the author that? There are no heroes or villains here, just a person facing their own limitations as they navigate the unfamiliar world of campaigns, elected office and government responsibility. Bringing refreshing candour to the pressures and absurdity of politics, this book shows us who our politicians really are when there's nothing left to spin and no one there to spin it to.

Full Product Details

9781804443040

Table of Contents

Reviews

'Wryly self-deprecating, but also informative and illuminating' -- Matt Cooper 'A wonderfully engaging, honest and witty portrait of the humiliations, idealism, nobility and banality of democratic life' -- Rory Stewart * author of Politics on the Edge * 'Riveting, a real page turner, I couldn't put it down' -- Claire Byrne 'Provides valuable behind-the-scenes insights into the real operation of power and the world of politics' -- Eoin Ó Broin * The Irish Times * 'A searingly frank book. It is unusual to have a political memoir that is as honest, often brutally so, without being bitchy, self-pitying or directing blame elsewhere' -- Eoin O’Malley * Irish Independent * 'Remarkable' -- Gary Murphy * Irish Examiner * 'A truly fascinating insight into the highs, lows and lower-agains of politics. Regardless of who you vote for, this is a manual and a warning for would-be politicians everywhere' -- Ryan Tubridy 'An easy and entertaining read .. gripping, deeply personal, honest and self-critical. Not your average bio ... a must read' -- Leo Varadkar 'The best politics book of the year' -- Tom Kelly * Irish News * 'A very enjoyable, witty, and revealing political read' -- Mick Fealty * Slugger O'Toole *

'Wryly self-deprecating, but also informative and illuminating' -- Matt Cooper 'A wonderfully engaging, honest and witty portrait of the humiliations, idealism, nobility and banality of democratic life' -- Rory Stewart * author of Politics on the Edge * 'Riveting, a real page turner, I couldn't put it down' -- Claire Byrne 'Provides valuable behind-the-scenes insights into the real operation of power and the world of politics' -- Eoin Ó Broin * The Irish Times * 'A searingly frank book. It is unusual to have a political memoir that is as honest, often brutally so, without being bitchy, self-pitying or directing blame elsewhere' -- Eoin O’Malley * Irish Independent * 'Remarkable' -- Gary Murphy * Irish Examiner * 'A truly fascinating insight into the highs, lows and lower-agains of politics. Regardless of who you vote for, this is a manual and a warning for would-be politicians everywhere' -- Ryan Tubridy 'An easy and entertaining read .. gripping, deeply personal, honest and self-critical. Not your average bio ... a must read' -- Leo Varadkar 'The best politics book of the year' -- Tom Kelly * Irish News *

Author Information

Eoghan Murphy is an Irish former Fine Gael politician, who served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for ten years, from 2011 until 27 April 2021, representing the Dublin Bay South constituency (previously named Dublin South-East). He served as Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government from 2017 to 2020 and as Minister of State for Financial Services from 2016 to 2017.

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