Review
A brilliant, unusual book . . . What this book captures about Blair is not just his mastery of the political arts, but his infectious optimism about politics itself. The book is informed, intelligent and interesting - but it is more than that. It is the most practically useful guide to politics I have ever read . . . It’s the lifetime learnings of a once leader for current and future leaders. -- George Osborne - Financial Times
On Leadership . . . is the sort of book any leader or aspiring leader, political or otherwise, will benefit from reading. It's punchy, full of good advice and, coming from someone who has been there and seen it all, they might be more likely to listen. - Irish Independent
Upbeat, stimulating . . . this clever, punchy and often inspiring book shows why so many people were once willing to follow him. -- Andrew Lynch - Business Post
The book is engaging, insightful, provocative and derisive of “place-holder” leaders who lack the grit to be “a change-maker” -- Andrew Rawnsley - Observer
Filled with ideas and insight for every reader. - i
‘Tantalising, fascinating and insightful . . . worth reading if you want to understand why some governments and political movements succeed and others fail.’ -- Isabel Hardman - i news
A fascinating treatise on leadership . . . The best bits of the book – and they are genuinely very good – are the passages offering advice on how to cope with the personal burdens of leadership, from dealing with the pressures of social media, to developing a hinterland, avoiding hubris, and knowing when to leave the stage . . . There is much to learn from On Leadership, and I am glad Blair has written it. It will fascinate anyone interested in the art of governing, even in the abstract – and represents a good investment of time for anyone in or aspiring to political leadership. -- Nicola Sturgeon - Guardian
‘[Blair’s] institute has given him a perspective no other leading British politician can rival . . . The result is a profoundly non-insular analysis . . . full of practical advice . . . Useful and timely . . . [Blair] is a deeply thoughtful, highly experienced and self-critical man who deserves to be taken seriously by anyone interested in how democratic power is effectively wielded.’ -- Andrew Marr - The New Statesman
Useful and interesting -- Daniel Finkelstein - The Times
A punchy, didactic, believe-me-I've-done-it guide to doing politics successfully. -- Anne McElvoy - i
About the Author
Tony Blair was prime minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland between 1997 and 2007. The only Labour leader in the party’s 100-year history to win three consecutive elections, he led a government whose achievem