Joseph Pilgrim is swept into the House of Commons by Labour's landslide in 1997 - much to his own surprise. In trying to avoid the system of patronage and sycophancy, he innocently stumbles up the greasy pole of success. But then a past sexual peccadillo returns to haunt him.
From the Falklands war and the miners' strike to Bobby Sands and the Guildford Four, from Diana and the New Romantics to Live Aid and the 'big bang', from the Rubik's cube to the ZX Spectrum, this account uncovers the truth behind the decade that changed Britain forever.
The Russian Masters--From Akhmatova and Pasternak to Shostakovich and Eisenstein--Under Stalin
Set against the backdrop of Stalin's oppressive regime, this book explores the paradox of artistic creativity flourishing in a police state. It chronicles the lives of notable figures like Anna Akhmatova, Boris Pasternak, and Dmitri Shostakovich, who navigated a treacherous landscape where their art could lead to honor or persecution. Through compelling narratives, it highlights the resilience and courage of these artists, illustrating how they pursued their passions despite the constant threat of repression. This work serves as both a historical account and a testament to the enduring power of art.
Westminster and Whitehall are secret worlds, hidden to most. But working as a lobby journalist, Andy McSmith has had exclusive access to our top politicians for decades. Here, he shares his personal encounters with the great and the good of the British political landscape, revealing what they are really like behind the scenes.