The Political Animal by Jeremy Paxman
What is it about the business of politics which turns hope, vision and ambition to despair? Jeremy Paxman proposes to find out. Among the things this book examines are: where politicians come from; how they are chosen; the promises and compromises they must make to get on; how the party machines control them or fail to do so; how to win elections; how to fake sincerity; the terror of power; riding the civil service; what the cabinet is really like; and why democracy - the least bad form of government we can imagine is destined always to disappoint.
What does it take to become a truly 'political animal' - and why would anyone strive to become one, given the low opinion which we have, sooner or later, of almost all politicians? Paxman is not known for lacking cynicism concerning the ways and motives of the contemporary breed - but in this overview he presents what is billed as a 'witty, unsparing, but essentially sympathetic portrait of modern politicians and the strange world they inhabit'The text is under wraps because of serialisation - but this promises to be a highly readable and lively take on those currently and recently purveying our brand of democracy, or the 'least bad form of government'.
Jeremy Paxman is a journalist, best known for his work presenting Newsnight and University Challenge. His books include FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES and THE ENGLISH. He lives in Oxfordshire.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780718144227 |
| ISBN 10 | 0718144228 |
| Title | The Political Animal |
| Author | Jeremy Paxman |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | Penguin Books Ltd |
| Year published | 2002-10-21 |
| Number of pages | 352 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |