Unleashed

Unleashed presents Boris Johnson's personal account of his time as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2019 to 2022. The memoir covers major events including Brexit implementation, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the international response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Johnson writes in his characteristic style, employing the same colorful language and rhetorical flair that defined his journalism career and political speeches. The book provides an insider's perspective on key decisions made during his premiership and interactions with world leaders. The narrative encompasses both domestic and international affairs, detailing the challenges of governing during unprecedented global crises. Johnson discusses the internal workings of 10 Downing Street and his relationships with cabinet members, civil servants, and opposition figures. The memoir serves as both a historical record and a personal defense of Johnson's controversial tenure, offering insights into the complex dynamics between political leadership, public opinion, and policy-making in modern Britain.

Readers criticize the book's rambling narrative style and focus on Johnson's personal grievances rather than substantive policy discussion. Many reviews point out factual errors and embellishments, particularly around Johnson's accounts of Brexit and COVID-19 decisions. Liked: - Inside view of UK government during major events - Some humorous anecdotes and characterizations - Details about interactions with world leaders Disliked: - Self-serving tone and lack of accountability - Defensive justifications for controversial decisions - Repetitive attacks on political opponents - Poor organization and editing - Few new revelations Ratings: Goodreads: 2.9/5 (114 ratings) Amazon UK: 3.1/5 (827 reviews) Amazon US: 3.4/5 (92 reviews) Reader quote: "More focused on settling scores than providing genuine insight into his time as PM" - Amazon reviewer Many reviewers question if Johnson wrote portions himself, noting inconsistent writing quality between sections.

Churchill: Walking with Destiny by Andrew Roberts A comprehensive account of Churchill's leadership during pivotal moments in British history draws parallels to Johnson's political narrative and governing philosophy.

Politics: Between the Extremes by Nick Clegg The former Deputy Prime Minister's insider perspective on British politics reveals the complexities of coalition government and Brexit-era decision-making.

All Out War: The Full Story of How Brexit Sank Britain's Political Class by Tim Shipman The behind-the-scenes chronicle of the Brexit referendum captures the political upheaval that shaped Johnson's premiership.

The Churchill Factor: How One Man Made History by Boris Johnson Johnson's earlier work examining Churchill's leadership provides context for his own political worldview and governing approach.

Fall Out: A Year of Political Mayhem by Tim Shipman The account of British politics in the aftermath of the 2017 election documents the turbulent period that preceded Johnson's rise to power.

🔸 The book's release in late 2023 sparked controversy among British politicians, as Johnson reportedly received an advance of over £1 million for his memoir. 🔸 During his time as Prime Minister (2019-2022), which the book covers, Johnson became the first PM in British history to be fined while in office, following the "Partygate" scandal. 🔸 Before entering politics, Johnson worked as a journalist and was the editor of The Spectator magazine from 1999 to 2005, influencing his writing style in "Unleashed." 🔸 The book's title "Unleashed" references Johnson's campaign promise to "unleash Britain's potential" during the 2019 general election, which resulted in the largest Conservative majority since 1987. 🔸 Boris Johnson wrote this memoir in the same Oxfordshire cottage where Winston Churchill, his political hero and the subject of his previous book "The Churchill Factor," once worked on his own writings.