Turning Points

The Times Best Politics and Current Affairs Books of the Year

An 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.

'Through wonderful vignettes, Richards offers a masterful, clear-eyed and, above all, entertaining history of British politics' – Will Hutton

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 blends anecdote and analysis to put 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.

A must-read for anyone seeking to understand our nation, this landmark work is enlightening and entertaining in equal measure.

'Steve Richards is one of the shrewdest political commentators we have' – Andrew Marr, author of The Making of Modern Britain