Speaking Out

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 on 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 *

Ed Balls is a former MP, Cabinet Minister and Treasury Chief Economic Adviser. He is a Senior Fellow at Harvard University Kennedy School’s Mossavar-Rahmani Center, Visiting Professor to the Policy Institute at King’s College London, and Chairman of Norwich City FC. He is also a dad, cook, pianist, dancer and economist.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.