📖 Overview
Fall Out chronicles the tumultuous events in British politics during 2017, with particular focus on Theresa May's snap election and its aftermath. The book serves as a sequel to All Out War, Shipman's previous work on the Brexit referendum.
Drawing on hundreds of interviews with key political figures, the narrative tracks the Conservative Party's campaign mistakes, Labour's surge, and the resulting hung parliament. The behind-the-scenes account details the negotiations, power struggles, and personal conflicts that shaped British governance during this period.
The book examines May's attempts to maintain control, Jeremy Corbyn's unexpected rise, and the complex Brexit negotiations that loomed over everything. The reporting extends from the halls of Westminster to European capitals as Britain grappled with its future relationship with the EU.
Fall Out captures a critical moment of institutional strain in British democracy, illustrating how personality, ideology, and circumstance combine to influence the direction of a nation. The work stands as both a political history and an examination of leadership under pressure.
👀 Reviews
Readers describe the book as a detailed account of UK politics in 2017, focused on the aftermath of Brexit and Theresa May's leadership. Many note its insider access and comprehensive coverage of backroom dealings.
Readers appreciated:
- In-depth interviews with key players
- Clear explanation of complex political maneuvers
- Balanced reporting without obvious bias
- Engaging narrative style despite dense subject matter
Common criticisms:
- Too much minute detail for casual readers
- Assumes significant background knowledge of UK politics
- Some sections drag with excessive parliamentary procedure
Ratings:
Goodreads: 4.3/5 (157 ratings)
Amazon UK: 4.6/5 (168 reviews)
Reader quote: "Like being a fly on the wall during crucial moments of British political history" - Amazon reviewer
Another reader noted: "Sometimes gets bogged down in Westminster minutiae, but the behind-the-scenes revelations make it worthwhile"
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🤔 Interesting facts
📚 The book is a sequel to "All Out War," which covered Brexit and David Cameron's resignation - together they form one of the most comprehensive accounts of recent British political upheaval.
🗳️ Tim Shipman conducted over 100 interviews with key political figures, including cabinet ministers and senior advisers, to write this behind-the-scenes account of the 2017 UK election.
⚡ The book reveals that Theresa May's closest advisers knew their election campaign was in serious trouble weeks before the final result, but kept this information from the Prime Minister.
🏛️ Shipman, as Sunday Times Political Editor, had unprecedented access to both Conservative and Labour camps during the period covered in the book, offering unique dual perspectives of the political crisis.
📊 The book details how Labour's sophisticated use of social media and targeted messaging to young voters played a crucial role in denying the Conservatives their expected majority.