📖 Overview
Isabel Oakeshott is a British political journalist and author known for her work as the former political editor of The Sunday Times and her involvement in several high-profile political books. She gained recognition for co-authoring the unauthorized biography of David Cameron titled "Call Me Dave" with Lord Michael Ashcroft.
Her career trajectory includes roles at various UK publications, starting in Scotland with newspapers like the Edinburgh Evening News and Daily Record, before moving to London's Evening Standard and eventually The Sunday Times. In 2011, she was named Political Journalist of the Year at The Press Awards.
Oakeshott has co-authored several significant works, including "White Flag? An Examination of the UK's Defence Capability" with Lord Ashcroft and "Pandemic Diaries" with former Health Secretary Matt Hancock. Her work often generates substantial media attention and debate due to its political nature and revelations about key public figures.
A graduate of the University of Bristol and alumna of Gordonstoun School, Oakeshott is positioned as a right-wing journalist in British media circles. She has maintained a prominent presence in political journalism through her books, media appearances, and commentary on current affairs.
👀 Reviews
Readers see Oakeshott as a political journalist who writes provocative exposés, though opinions split on her credibility and motivations.
On Amazon and Goodreads, readers praise her clear writing style and ability to uncover insider information, particularly in "Call Me Dave" and "White Flag?" Multiple reviews note her skill at organizing complex political narratives into readable accounts.
Critics question her journalistic ethics and accuse her of sensationalism. Common complaints focus on perceived bias and selective use of sources. Several readers point out her tendency to break confidentiality agreements with sources, which affects their trust in her reporting.
Average ratings across platforms:
Goodreads: 3.4/5 (across all works)
Amazon UK: 3.7/5
Amazon US: 3.5/5
Most reader reviews focus on the political implications of her revelations rather than the literary merits. Reviews frequently mention her media appearances and public persona, which appear to influence readers' reception of her books.
📚 Books by Isabel Oakeshott
Call Me Dave: The Unauthorized Biography of David Cameron (2015)
A detailed account of David Cameron's life and political career, co-authored with Lord Michael Ashcroft, drawing from extensive interviews and research into the former Prime Minister's background.
Farmageddon: The True Cost of Cheap Meat (2014) An investigation into global industrial farming practices, co-authored with Philip Lymbery, examining the environmental and social impacts of mass food production.
Pandemic Diaries: The Inside Story of Britain's Battle Against Covid (2022) A first-hand account of the UK government's response to COVID-19, based on Matt Hancock's contemporaneous notes and records during his time as Health Secretary.
White Flag? An Examination of the UK's Defence Capability (2018) An analysis of Britain's military capabilities and defense readiness, co-authored with Lord Michael Ashcroft, examining current strengths and vulnerabilities in the UK armed forces.
Farmageddon: The True Cost of Cheap Meat (2014) An investigation into global industrial farming practices, co-authored with Philip Lymbery, examining the environmental and social impacts of mass food production.
Pandemic Diaries: The Inside Story of Britain's Battle Against Covid (2022) A first-hand account of the UK government's response to COVID-19, based on Matt Hancock's contemporaneous notes and records during his time as Health Secretary.
White Flag? An Examination of the UK's Defence Capability (2018) An analysis of Britain's military capabilities and defense readiness, co-authored with Lord Michael Ashcroft, examining current strengths and vulnerabilities in the UK armed forces.
👥 Similar authors
Tim Shipman - Political editor for The Sunday Times who writes detailed accounts of British politics and Brexit. His books "All Out War" and "Fall Out" provide insider perspectives on UK government similar to Oakeshott's work.
Michael Crick - Former Political Correspondent for Channel 4 News who writes biographies of British political figures. His investigative approach and focus on Conservative Party politics align with Oakeshott's coverage areas.
Andrew Rawnsley - Chief Political Commentator of The Observer who documents modern British political history. His books on New Labour and the coalition government offer comparable behind-the-scenes revelations to Oakeshott's work.
Peter Oborne - Former Daily Telegraph chief political commentator who writes about British political establishments. His focus on political relationships and power structures mirrors Oakeshott's analytical approach to Westminster politics.
Anne McElvoy - Senior editor at The Economist who writes about British politics and policy. Her work combines policy analysis with political storytelling in a style similar to Oakeshott's political journalism.
Michael Crick - Former Political Correspondent for Channel 4 News who writes biographies of British political figures. His investigative approach and focus on Conservative Party politics align with Oakeshott's coverage areas.
Andrew Rawnsley - Chief Political Commentator of The Observer who documents modern British political history. His books on New Labour and the coalition government offer comparable behind-the-scenes revelations to Oakeshott's work.
Peter Oborne - Former Daily Telegraph chief political commentator who writes about British political establishments. His focus on political relationships and power structures mirrors Oakeshott's analytical approach to Westminster politics.
Anne McElvoy - Senior editor at The Economist who writes about British politics and policy. Her work combines policy analysis with political storytelling in a style similar to Oakeshott's political journalism.