Steve Richards – författare

'Fascinating, revealing and entertaining.' John Humphrys'A pure pleasure to read.' Polly Toynbee'Extraordinary.' Kirsty WarkA landmark history of the men and women who have defined the UK's role in the modern world - and what makes them special - by a seasoned political journalist.At a time of unprecedented political upheaval, this magisterial history explains who leads us and why. From Harold Wilson to Boris Johnson, it brilliantly brings to life all 10 inhabitants of 10 Downing Street over the past fifty years, vividly outlining their successes and failures - and what made each of them special. Based on unprecedented access and in-depth interviews, and inspired by the author's BBC Radio 4 and television series, Steve Richards expertly examines the men and women who have defined the UK's role in the modern world and sheds new light on the demands of the highest public office in the land.

The definitive account of New Labour's rise and fall.On 11 May 2010 Gordon Brown resigned as Prime Minister; it marked the end of thirteen dramatic years of Labour government. When he finally released his grip on power, many questions remained about the most intriguing and complex political figure of modern times and co-architect of New Labour. Leading commentator Steve Richards watched every step of the stormy political journey from 1992, when Brown became shadow chancellor, to the day he left Number Ten, and narrates it here for the first time.Steve Richards has gained access to all levels of Westminster to explain this complex party and its leadership, reflecting on the outcome of the 2010 general election and what the fall of New Labour means for our nation’s political future.

At the beginning of the financial crisis, in September 2008, Gordon Brown called an emergency press conference in which he declared, 'we will do whatever it takes to restore stability in the financial markets'.He was to repeated the phrase `whatever it takes’ constantly in the following weeks.As Shadow Chancellor Brown would do whatever it took to restore Labour's economic credibility. As leader-in-waiting he would do whatever it took to acquire the crown. As Prime Minister he would do whatever it took to buttress his enfeebled regime, going as far instigating a rapprochement with Peter Mandelson, a figure he had come to despise. Determined, wilful, multi-layered in his complexity, Brown would always do whatever it took to survive.New Labour, as a political force, rootless and defensive in its origins, would similarly do whatever it took to retain support in what its founders regarded as a conservative country.Written by one of the most influential political commentators in the UK, the Independent's chief political commentator, Steve Richards, this political expose examines Gordon Brown's wildly oscillating career and the ruthless and sometimes shallow pragmatism displayed by New Labour as a whole.

The Times Best Politics and Current Affairs Books of the YearAn entertaining and revealing history of modern British politics from Steve Richards, broadcaster, journalist, and author of The Prime Ministers We Never Had.Every few weeks in British politics, a columnist will reach for the word ‘unprecedented’ as a cabinet minister resigns or yet another inquiry is called. We have become so accustomed to turmoil that it is impossible to take a breath and see where we are headed. In this magisterial history, respected broadcaster and journalist Steve Richards puts the recent chaos into context and takes a step back to explore ten critical moments that have shaped modern Britain.From the Suez Crisis of 1956 to the Covid-19 pandemic, from 1945 to Thatcher, Richards argues that it is only with distance that we can perceive the tectonic plates shifting – and events that may seem earth-shattering in the moment might be a passing tremor with the perspective of history.With his trademark insight, forged over several decades as one of the UK’s foremost political commentators, Richards blends anecdote and analysis to explore the biggest events in British political history. A must-read for anyone seeking to understand our nation, this landmark work is enlightening and entertaining in equal measure.'Through wonderful vignettes, Richards offers a masterful, clear-eyed and, above all, entertaining history of British politics' – Will Hutton, Observer columnist'An engaging canter through postwar Britain . . . shaped by a lifetime of reading' – Prospect

The Times – Best Politics and Current Affairs Books of the YearAn entertaining and revealing history of modern British politics – and the pivotal moments that got us where we are now. From Steve Richards, broadcaster, journalist, and author of The Prime Ministers We Never Had.Every few weeks in British politics, a columnist will reach for the word ‘unprecedented’ as a cabinet minister resigns or yet another inquiry is called. In this magisterial history, respected broadcaster and journalist Steve Richards puts the chaos into context.Blending anecdote and analysis, Richards takes a step back to explore ten critical moments that have shaped modern Britain – from the Suez Crisis of 1956 to the Covid-19 pandemic, from 1945 to Thatcher.Richards argues that it is only with distance that we can perceive the tectonic plates shifting – and events that may seem earth-shattering in the moment might be a passing tremor with the perspective of history.A must-read for anyone seeking to understand our nation, this landmark work is enlightening and entertaining in equal measure. 'Through wonderful vignettes, Richards offers a masterful, clear-eyed and, above all, entertaining history of British politics' – Will Hutton, Observer columnist'Steve Richards is one of the shrewdest political commentators we have' – Andrew Marr, author of The Making of Modern Britain

The Times – Best Politics and Current Affairs Books of the YearAn entertaining and revealing history of modern British politics – and the pivotal moments that got us where we are now. From Steve Richards, broadcaster, journalist, and author of The Prime Ministers We Never Had.Every few weeks in British politics, a columnist will reach for the word ‘unprecedented’ as a cabinet minister resigns or yet another inquiry is called. In this magisterial history, respected broadcaster and journalist Steve Richards puts the chaos into context.Blending anecdote and analysis, Richards takes a step back to explore ten critical moments that have shaped modern Britain – from the Suez Crisis of 1956 to the Covid-19 pandemic, from 1945 to Thatcher.Richards argues that it is only with distance that we can perceive the tectonic plates shifting – and events that may seem earth-shattering in the moment might be a passing tremor with the perspective of history.A must-read for anyone seeking to understand our nation, this landmark work is enlightening and entertaining in equal measure. 'Through wonderful vignettes, Richards offers a masterful, clear-eyed and, above all, entertaining history of British politics' – Will Hutton, Observer columnist'Steve Richards is one of the shrewdest political commentators we have' – Andrew Marr, author of The Making of Modern Britain

Covering the complete Association of Marine Electric and Radio Colleges (AMERC) syllabus for Electrotechnology Officers (ETOs), the book is divided into three sections: Basic Electronics; Navigational Aids (theory and fault finding); and Radio Communications (including GMDSS).The first textbook aimed primarily at Electro-technical Officers (covering the changes to the STCW 2010), volume 15 of the Reeds Marine Engineering Series includes technical diagrams, worked examples and self-study questions to help in student understanding.This second edition has been updated throughout, and expanded with new questions and answers. It is an essential book for all students undertaking an ETO course.

Covering the complete Association of Marine Electric and Radio Colleges (AMERC) syllabus for Electrotechnology Officers (ETOs), the book is divided into three sections: Basic Electronics; Navigational Aids (theory and fault finding); and Radio Communications (including GMDSS).The first textbook aimed primarily at Electro-technical Officers (covering the changes to the STCW 2010), volume 15 of the Reeds Marine Engineering Series includes technical diagrams, worked examples and self-study questions to help in student understanding.This second edition has been updated throughout, and expanded with new questions and answers. It is an essential book for all students undertaking an ETO course.

Covering the complete Association of Marine Electric and Radio Colleges (AMERC) syllabus for Electrotechnology Officers (ETOs), the book is divided into three sections: Basic Electronics; Navigational Aids (theory and fault finding); and Radio Communications (including GMDSS).The first textbook aimed primarily at Electro-technical Officers (covering the changes to the STCW 2010), volume 15 of the Reeds Marine Engineering Series includes technical diagrams, worked examples and self-study questions to help in student understanding.This second edition has been updated throughout, and expanded with new questions and answers. It is an essential book for all students undertaking an ETO course.

Divided into three sections, the book covers the complete syllabus for Electrotechnology Officers as specified by the Association of Marine Electronic and Radio Colleges (AMERC), with a series of worked examples and self-study questions to assist in student understanding.The book introduces basic electronics, the theory of how a range of navigational aids works, and radio communications including GMDSS. Fault find to component and sub system level is also included.Importantly, this is the first textbook to be aimed primarily at ETOs, covering the changes to the STCW 2010. An essential buy.

Divided into three sections, the book covers the complete syllabus for Electrotechnology Officers as specified by the Association of Marine Electronic and Radio Colleges (AMERC), with a series of worked examples and self-study questions to assist in student understanding.The book introduces basic electronics, the theory of how a range of navigational aids works, and radio communications including GMDSS. Fault find to component and sub system level is also included.Importantly, this is the first textbook to be aimed primarily at ETOs, covering the changes to the STCW 2010. An essential buy.

Steve Richards tells the inside story of Gordon Brown''s time as prime minister, based on revealing interviews with his close colleagues. Interviewees include former ministers Peter Mandelson, Ed Balls, Harriet Harman, Jack Straw, Douglas Alexander, Alan Johnson, Hazel Blears, Peter Hain and Shriti Vadera; and several former Downing St insiders including those responsible for policy, political strategy and polling. Producer: Martin Rosenbaum.

Intelligent, nuanced and wide-ranging, this is the essential handbook for understanding the chaotic political times in which we live.In recent years, voters have deserted the political centre like never before. Whether it's Trump, Brexit, Le Pen, or Corbyn, outsiders and populists are flourishing on the far left and far right. Celebrated political commentator Steve Richards explores factors from globalization and fake news to rising immigration and stagnant wages. Richards argues that the reasons for the success of the outsider also sows the seeds of their eventual demise. If they do gain power, they inevitably become insiders themselves - and fail to live up to their extravagant promises.This landmark book examines the rapidly shifting global political landscape of the last decade, and is essential reading for anyone who has been bothered by Brexit, troubled by Trump or confused by Corbyn.

'One of the shrewdest political commentators we have' Andrew Marr‘Tony Blair was a giant amongst prime ministers and leaders of the Labour party: Steve Richards is a giant amongst political commentators. This riveting and persuasive book describes what happens when they meet head on’ Anthony SeldonWas Tony Blair a visionary, impatiently looking ahead, or a leader trapped by his past – Labour’s vote-losing 1980s and the dominance of Margaret Thatcher? Was the party’s move to the right under Blair necessary in order for them to win, or could they, after 18 years of Tory rule, have afforded to be more daring and more left wing than their leader wished to recognise?In Steve Richards’s short, provocative and highly engaging new biography, he argues that Blair was often the opposite of what we remember him being: perceived as a ‘moderniser’, he sought to strengthen the traditional institutions that partly define the UK, from the monarchy to the military; while to Margaret Thatcher’s public appreciation he cemented her economic legacy rather than moved on from it. And, while he was viewed as messianic over Iraq, he was, in fact, being characteristically expedient, clinging to the orthodoxy in which the UK stands shoulder to shoulder with the US in war.But the UK in 2007 was undoubtedly a different country to the one it had been in 1997: from devolution, which played its part in establishing peace in Northern Ireland, to civil partnerships and a revived NHS, Blair left Britain in a much better place. While his legacy has been overshadowed by the Iraq war, Tony Blair re-establishes a more rounded view of his time in office, and shows that the challenges facing Blair were the ones that still face Labour today.

'One of the shrewdest political commentators we have' Andrew Marr‘Tony Blair was a giant amongst prime ministers and leaders of the Labour party: Steve Richards is a giant amongst political commentators. This riveting and persuasive book describes what happens when they meet head on’ Anthony SeldonWas Tony Blair a visionary, impatiently looking ahead, or a leader trapped by his past – Labour’s vote-losing 1980s and the dominance of Margaret Thatcher? Was the party’s move to the right under Blair necessary in order for them to win, or could they, after 18 years of Tory rule, have afforded to be more daring and more left wing than their leader wished to recognise?In Steve Richards’s short, provocative and highly engaging new biography, he argues that Blair was often the opposite of what we remember him being: perceived as a ‘moderniser’, he sought to strengthen the traditional institutions that partly define the UK, from the monarchy to the military; while to Margaret Thatcher’s public appreciation he cemented her economic legacy rather than moved on from it. And, while he was viewed as messianic over Iraq, he was, in fact, being characteristically expedient, clinging to the orthodoxy in which the UK stands shoulder to shoulder with the US in war.But the UK in 2007 was undoubtedly a different country to the one it had been in 1997: from devolution, which played its part in establishing peace in Northern Ireland, to civil partnerships and a revived NHS, Blair left Britain in a much better place. While his legacy has been overshadowed by the Iraq war, Tony Blair re-establishes a more rounded view of his time in office, and shows that the challenges facing Blair were the ones that still face Labour today.

Would you like to be a Happy Depressive?Do you live with chronic depression and face the prospect of living with this condition for the rest of your life? Or do you care for someone who does?Does this sometimes make you feel helpless and alone?Wouldn't it be great to have a good friend who understood how you feel? Who has been through the same struggles and found a way to cope and be happy? You could pull up a chair, put the kettle on or open a bottle, and talk without shame about your shared experiences.It is rare for us to find that person, so let this book be that friend.Steve Richards has lived with depression for almost 40 years and plans to live with it for much longer. In The Happy Depressive he shares his own life experiences with frankness and honesty and explains how depression has affected him along the way. He also describes in detail the coping strategies that have helped him live a happy and fulfilling life.Happy Depressives do exist, and he invites you to join their ranks.

BOOK OF THE YEAR, The Times, Guardian and ProspectWas Harold Wilson a bigger figure than Denis Healey? Was John Major more 'prime ministerial' than Michael Heseltine? Would David Miliband have become prime minister if it were not for his brother Ed? Would Ed have become prime minister if it were not for David? How close did Jeremy Corbyn come to being prime minister? In this piercing and original study, journalist and commentator Steve Richards looks at eleven prime ministers we never had, examining what made each of these illustrious figures unique and why they failed to make the final leap to the very top. Combining astute insights into the demands of leadership with compelling historical analysis, this fascinating exploration of failure and success sheds new light on some of the most compelling characters in British public life.