What do you think?
Rate this book
The Powerful and the Damned: Private Diaries in Turbulent Times
Lionel Barber was Editor of the Financial Time s for the tech boom, the global financial crisis, the rise of China, Brexit, and mainstream media's fight for survival in the age of fake news. In this unparalleled, no-holds-barred diary of life behind the headlines, he reveals the private meetings and exchanges with political leaders on the eve of referendums, the conversations with billionaire bankers facing economic meltdown, exchanges with Silicon Valley tech gurus, and pleas from foreign emissaries desperate for inside knowledge, all against the backdrop of a wildly shifting media landscape.
352 pages, Hardcover
Published February 5, 2021
93 people are currently reading
1407 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
December 5, 2020
I enjoyed this book, although not my normal subject matter. It is the memoirs of the editor of the Financial Times. A combination of memoirs of journalism, the business of running a paper and meeting the great and the good (or as he puts it the powerful and the damned). Well written and interesting.
I'd like to pick up on one aspect of his writing. The author makes clever use of the present tense, to give past events an immediacy and connection that the past tense does not achieve - balanced with reflections on those events in the past tense. This may be his first book, but there is no doubt he can write in long form just as well as the relatively short form of journalism.
It was given to me by a friend - and its not my normal material because I never really read newspapers on any regular basis. I know hardly anyone who does now, bar a couple of friends and one relative. Newspapers somehow seem increasingly like an artefact from a bygone era. However, as I learnt from this, this may be a misconception on my behalf as the FT has far more online subscribers (and I mean paying customers not just users), than it does for the print version. I don't read newspapers mostly because I don't find them that interesting - the articles are too short for my tastes, and I am not an avid follower of current affairs. The only time I tend to enjoy reading papers is reading over someone else's shoulder when they seem bizarrely attractive and interesting. I am usually disappointed when I get hold of the paper and read the real article that seemed so enticing from a distance.
What did I learn from this book? I understand the role and work of an editor a bit more. I learned how much more of an international paper the FT is than I realised, as a large proportion of its readership is not based in the UK. And with these readers it seems to be regarded as an important and influential paper. I cannot imagine people like Putin or Merkel giving interviews because they really care about what the UK population think - but they will when they see the international audience of other influential people the paper has. I also learned that this level of journalism still relies hugely on personal networks and connections. More so than I had realised. It is a relatively small circle of people talking to each other. No personal connections, no interviews or off the record insights. It was not quite the old boy network of old as it is a much more diverse group. Diverse, but still quite small relative to the global population.
The writer is not awe struck by the powerful. He has those he admires, and those he does not - and he makes it pretty clear who fits in which camp. Recent conservative party PMs in the UK are generally thought unimpressive.
But there is also a tone of arrogance. It is not overbearing, but there is an element of self-importance about the role of the journalist. I was split in two ways between thinking this reflects the reality that there is a small circle of powerful people who run the world and journalists are part of it, or there is a small circle of people who delude themselves that they run the world because the only people they talk to are other people in this circle. An interesting topic in itself!
Still having read this, if I was to take up the newspaper reading habit, the FT would probably now be my first choice.
I'd like to pick up on one aspect of his writing. The author makes clever use of the present tense, to give past events an immediacy and connection that the past tense does not achieve - balanced with reflections on those events in the past tense. This may be his first book, but there is no doubt he can write in long form just as well as the relatively short form of journalism.
It was given to me by a friend - and its not my normal material because I never really read newspapers on any regular basis. I know hardly anyone who does now, bar a couple of friends and one relative. Newspapers somehow seem increasingly like an artefact from a bygone era. However, as I learnt from this, this may be a misconception on my behalf as the FT has far more online subscribers (and I mean paying customers not just users), than it does for the print version. I don't read newspapers mostly because I don't find them that interesting - the articles are too short for my tastes, and I am not an avid follower of current affairs. The only time I tend to enjoy reading papers is reading over someone else's shoulder when they seem bizarrely attractive and interesting. I am usually disappointed when I get hold of the paper and read the real article that seemed so enticing from a distance.
What did I learn from this book? I understand the role and work of an editor a bit more. I learned how much more of an international paper the FT is than I realised, as a large proportion of its readership is not based in the UK. And with these readers it seems to be regarded as an important and influential paper. I cannot imagine people like Putin or Merkel giving interviews because they really care about what the UK population think - but they will when they see the international audience of other influential people the paper has. I also learned that this level of journalism still relies hugely on personal networks and connections. More so than I had realised. It is a relatively small circle of people talking to each other. No personal connections, no interviews or off the record insights. It was not quite the old boy network of old as it is a much more diverse group. Diverse, but still quite small relative to the global population.
The writer is not awe struck by the powerful. He has those he admires, and those he does not - and he makes it pretty clear who fits in which camp. Recent conservative party PMs in the UK are generally thought unimpressive.
But there is also a tone of arrogance. It is not overbearing, but there is an element of self-importance about the role of the journalist. I was split in two ways between thinking this reflects the reality that there is a small circle of powerful people who run the world and journalists are part of it, or there is a small circle of people who delude themselves that they run the world because the only people they talk to are other people in this circle. An interesting topic in itself!
Still having read this, if I was to take up the newspaper reading habit, the FT would probably now be my first choice.
April 2, 2021
You could do worse getting a decent summary of 2005 - 2020 than to read this. Odd title, in a way--clickbait-y with its implicit promise of high-level gossip (If you're a regular FT reader, there's not much you won't already know). The Age of Turbulence would better describe Barber's tenure at the helm of the FT through two decades of financial crises and populist revolt than Greenspan's memoir/free market apologia.
Despite the FT's avowed stance on objectivity (much ballyhooed by Barber, here) the proximity to power--unavoidable due to necessity of source material--and occasional accommodation on display here is extraordinary. Descriptions of global backrooms and names that pop up with easy familiarity are a populist's fever dream. And there is the elite feedback loop which, as Barber admits, caused the global establishment and the FT to miss the rise of populism and other trends.
Still, Barber acquits himself well: he picked his battles wisely, built on the FT's reputation, and made it a great paper for the 21st century. I subscribed to the FT years ago after reading an interview with Noam Chomsky where he stated that paper "...is the only global newspaper “that tells the truth”.' This can occasionally be qualified, but generally remains true.
Despite the FT's avowed stance on objectivity (much ballyhooed by Barber, here) the proximity to power--unavoidable due to necessity of source material--and occasional accommodation on display here is extraordinary. Descriptions of global backrooms and names that pop up with easy familiarity are a populist's fever dream. And there is the elite feedback loop which, as Barber admits, caused the global establishment and the FT to miss the rise of populism and other trends.
Still, Barber acquits himself well: he picked his battles wisely, built on the FT's reputation, and made it a great paper for the 21st century. I subscribed to the FT years ago after reading an interview with Noam Chomsky where he stated that paper "...is the only global newspaper “that tells the truth”.' This can occasionally be qualified, but generally remains true.
January 10, 2021
How else to describe this... an excellent middle-class gossip book?!
Over the period of 14 years, Barber has had fascinating interactions with world and business leaders, from Putin to Zuckerberg, through to MBS to Blair, Cameron and Trump. Interesting tales of those at the heart of our global powers. A particular favourite was, we're told, a reflection from Obama on Blair, Brown and Cameron. Blair = substance and sizzle. Brown = substance. Cameron = sizzle. A damning report!
Over the period of 14 years, Barber has had fascinating interactions with world and business leaders, from Putin to Zuckerberg, through to MBS to Blair, Cameron and Trump. Interesting tales of those at the heart of our global powers. A particular favourite was, we're told, a reflection from Obama on Blair, Brown and Cameron. Blair = substance and sizzle. Brown = substance. Cameron = sizzle. A damning report!
May 15, 2022
very quick read and good overview of that period (for UK readers), there is not much depth though, perpetuates a bit the view that the world is run by a few key individuals
Read
March 12, 2021Financial Times’ editor from 2005 to 2020, Barbers diary is witty and present (and a little arrogant). The focus is on the politicians and businessmen (yes, I cant recall a single female private sector rep mentioned in detail) he met and interviewed, though I wouldve loved to learn more about the workings of the newspaper, digital transformation and FT’s sale to a new Japanese owner.
November 8, 2020
Riveting and surprisingly comical commentary to most global events and interviews with the powerful from the past 15 years, captured by the long time now ex-editor of the best newspaper in the world.
April 30, 2021
Fantastic book. Covers every important event over the last few decades, include the revival of the Financial Times. Gold standard.
October 30, 2024
i'm surprised how much i liked this book. a recap of global events from 2005 to 2020. got hit by a wave of nostalgia reading about 2007-2008 global financial meltdown, the time of my early banking career. had to skip few pages but thoroughly enjoyed the book otherwise.
i almost subscribed to FT after reading!
i almost subscribed to FT after reading!
April 21, 2024
4.5 stars
March 31, 2022
From 2006 to 2019 Barber was the editor in chief of the English newspaper, "The Financial Times". You may have seen it on a newsstand. It is printed on pink paper. It is, roughly speaking, the English version of The Wall Street Journal.
He confesses in the acknowledgements that he did not keep a diary. This is a collection of short entries about his time as an editor arranged in a diary format.
He is quite impressed with himself. He tells us things like, "My commitment to fair and impartial reporting would remain a constant during my editorship." He does quote a line from a "Daily Mail" article about him that has a ring of truth. It described him as " a weapons-grade social climber and name-dropper extraordinaire, with a statesmanlike aura."
This is the book of a name dropper extraordinaire. He used his position as the editor in chief of a very powerful newspaper in the business world to open the door to interviews with the great and powerful. He jets around the world to meet with the political and business leaders of China, India, Germany, Brazil and everywhere in between. He interviews Trump, Putin, Boris Johnson and much more.
The interesting, but unsurprising, thing is that the interviews generate very little news. He mostly reports on his subjects mouthing platitudes. I. F. Stone preached that it was a waste of time to interview politicians. They just spin and lie.
There is some deep English political stuff which I had a hard time following and was not that interested in.
He gives us very little on the real nitty gritty of running a newspaper. He mentions his other editors but we do not get a sense of any of them. He congratulates himself several times for moving the FT into an on-line platform, but he never really gives any details.
William F. Buckley in his "Overdrive" showed how a rich, privileged, egomaniac could write an interesting and fun book about his privileged life. Barber can't pull it off.
He confesses in the acknowledgements that he did not keep a diary. This is a collection of short entries about his time as an editor arranged in a diary format.
He is quite impressed with himself. He tells us things like, "My commitment to fair and impartial reporting would remain a constant during my editorship." He does quote a line from a "Daily Mail" article about him that has a ring of truth. It described him as " a weapons-grade social climber and name-dropper extraordinaire, with a statesmanlike aura."
This is the book of a name dropper extraordinaire. He used his position as the editor in chief of a very powerful newspaper in the business world to open the door to interviews with the great and powerful. He jets around the world to meet with the political and business leaders of China, India, Germany, Brazil and everywhere in between. He interviews Trump, Putin, Boris Johnson and much more.
The interesting, but unsurprising, thing is that the interviews generate very little news. He mostly reports on his subjects mouthing platitudes. I. F. Stone preached that it was a waste of time to interview politicians. They just spin and lie.
There is some deep English political stuff which I had a hard time following and was not that interested in.
He gives us very little on the real nitty gritty of running a newspaper. He mentions his other editors but we do not get a sense of any of them. He congratulates himself several times for moving the FT into an on-line platform, but he never really gives any details.
William F. Buckley in his "Overdrive" showed how a rich, privileged, egomaniac could write an interesting and fun book about his privileged life. Barber can't pull it off.
December 2, 2021
The book was interesting, and Barber did a great job of creating a narrative arc that extended 14 years. However, something has to be said about how unpleasant it is to be spoken down to for 450 pages.
January 17, 2022
An interesting insight into high journalism.
The writing style, however, makes this an extremely shoddy memoir.
The writing style, however, makes this an extremely shoddy memoir.
May 27, 2022
No Tina Brown. We get it, you led a digital revolution at the FT!!!
January 15, 2023
Found the 2008 recession fascinating from his perspective
Want to read
May 16, 2022As someone who has always softly identified with the idea of impostor syndrome without ever having had the energy to lean into anything, I found The Powerful and the Damned captivating for its window into completely alien territory: the ferociously ambitious, hyperconfident male mind. The book is Lionel Barber’s account of serving as editor of the Financial Times from 2005 to 2020—a period during which, we should acknowledge, a thing or two happened geopolitically. His recounting of his front-row seat to the global economy imploding and liberal democracies toppling like sandcastles is almost comically inter–British Establishment: Barber bonds with the governor of the Bank of England over cricket, educates Prime Minister “Dave” Cameron on the political talents of a rising star named Barack Obama, and complains to Rupert Murdoch about how rarely the BBC books him as a guest. During the same period, he also helps set a business model for the FT that insists consumers subscribe for the reporting and insight the paper provides. If Barber’s narrative of tumultuous times is often more gossipy than revelatory, his insight into how power operates and sustains itself is truly intriguing. — Sophie Gilbert
https://www.theatlantic.com/books/arc...
https://www.theatlantic.com/books/arc...
January 11, 2024
It is a man's world. Maybe a few sprinkles of truly influential women in business, politics, and money but very few! Men have problems. The other thought is squaring up the role of journalism with its own agenda, prejudices, and cerebral limitations. Barber not once mentions the armaments industry in his thoughts about technology, politics, and economy.
The media also did not provide good information and analysis before leaving EU, the reality of Boris Johnson's reputation, Russia, and unstable money markets. I think it failed providing good information and honest influencing and really shows politicians and government dominate the course of decisions.
The book is an Interesting diary spanning many years and events. He obviously chose the format thus avoiding too much thought, work, and offence though he does speak candidly about leaders. I like the FT for it's independent approach but given Barber's many meetings with PMs and politicians it can't help but be bribed in what is published. Maybe his other books are less descriptive although you can read between the lines and formulate questions and scenarios. The book gives the impression of the editor's primarily ambassador and sales role and the powerful networking that goes on, though I don't have the impression Barber is overly technically knowledgeable on economics or finance in much depth or mentally rides above with probing questions. I did enjoy reading about Obama, Blair, Brown, and Cameron...with Brown having more substance of the three as well as Merkel's opinions about Cameron. I think FT.com has got it right allowing subscribers to comment on stories and the forum of reader input is invaluable. Many subscribers are very knowledgeable and insightful on subjects and that must feed FT journalists if they read responses. Slightly off course, I found so many commenting readers in the forums deliriously angry individuals and the level headed wise did not dominate in numbers. Also because the media perceives we want more, faster and sensational there lacks deep research. The media fails to realise it has the power to change ideas, communication style, and structure to formulate the civilised society we all desire. Barber not once mentions the armaments industry in his words about technology, politics, and economy nor the role of the university intelligent academics that rarely participate or see their research influence the world.
The media also did not provide good information and analysis before leaving EU, the reality of Boris Johnson's reputation, Russia, and unstable money markets. I think it failed providing good information and honest influencing and really shows politicians and government dominate the course of decisions.
The book is an Interesting diary spanning many years and events. He obviously chose the format thus avoiding too much thought, work, and offence though he does speak candidly about leaders. I like the FT for it's independent approach but given Barber's many meetings with PMs and politicians it can't help but be bribed in what is published. Maybe his other books are less descriptive although you can read between the lines and formulate questions and scenarios. The book gives the impression of the editor's primarily ambassador and sales role and the powerful networking that goes on, though I don't have the impression Barber is overly technically knowledgeable on economics or finance in much depth or mentally rides above with probing questions. I did enjoy reading about Obama, Blair, Brown, and Cameron...with Brown having more substance of the three as well as Merkel's opinions about Cameron. I think FT.com has got it right allowing subscribers to comment on stories and the forum of reader input is invaluable. Many subscribers are very knowledgeable and insightful on subjects and that must feed FT journalists if they read responses. Slightly off course, I found so many commenting readers in the forums deliriously angry individuals and the level headed wise did not dominate in numbers. Also because the media perceives we want more, faster and sensational there lacks deep research. The media fails to realise it has the power to change ideas, communication style, and structure to formulate the civilised society we all desire. Barber not once mentions the armaments industry in his words about technology, politics, and economy nor the role of the university intelligent academics that rarely participate or see their research influence the world.
May 16, 2021
There are a few interesting stories here, but it is hard to get past the narrator. Barber is nearly insufferable—arrogant, clubby, never wrong (even in hindsight). While he obviously enjoys namedropping, he does seem to be incredibly, even inspirationally, well networked. His most important job qualification seems to be that he knows everybody (or at least every man) who is anybody. It's not a pretty world that Barber shows us, but it is a very different one.
> A chatty Scottish chauffeur picks me up at Glasgow airport but is soon lost for words as we drive aimlessly around the 2,000 acres of grounds around Dumfries House. He ends up dumping me at the wrong door of the mansion, where I am greeted by a friendly Scottish woman servant: ‘Good morning, Sir, are you here for the squirrel symposium?’ ‘No, I am not here for the squirrels,’ I reply, ‘I’m here to see Prince Charles.’
> A chatty Scottish chauffeur picks me up at Glasgow airport but is soon lost for words as we drive aimlessly around the 2,000 acres of grounds around Dumfries House. He ends up dumping me at the wrong door of the mansion, where I am greeted by a friendly Scottish woman servant: ‘Good morning, Sir, are you here for the squirrel symposium?’ ‘No, I am not here for the squirrels,’ I reply, ‘I’m here to see Prince Charles.’
December 1, 2022
Through great wisdom it always seems that Lionel almost always had it right, in hindsight. Unfortunately, his talent for getting it right after the fact doesn't translate to his book. With a few good stories here and there, the book missed an overarching narrative, even though it makes up for it that with cleaver, fun writing. The subject matter is very Britain focused, making it a little less appealing for those who just don't care about Lionels' second lunch with Cabinet Secretary Y in Snob Restaurant X. Furthermore, the book leans more on name dropping than on providing significant new insights and stories.
Still, it was a fun read, for sure. The most significant achievement of the book is that I don't know if Lionel is hugely full of himself, or just being cheeky and playing with the reader.
Still, it was a fun read, for sure. The most significant achievement of the book is that I don't know if Lionel is hugely full of himself, or just being cheeky and playing with the reader.
September 8, 2024
Lionel Barber was the editor of the Financial Times from 2005 until 2020 and this book encapsulates his spectacular 15 years interviewing political stalwarts, balancing on tight ropes and traversing through turmoil- both- inside and outside the Financial Times.
He speaks of his meetings with high power Royals like Saudi’s Mohammed Bin Salman, the late Queen Elizabeth and other families from her royal family, financial titans like Mario Draghi and Sir Fred Goodwin and several politicians, including Narendra Modi, David Cameron, Xi Jin Ping, Vladimir Putin and president Obama.
Some called this Barber’s attempt to cosy up to power and to be a weapons-grade social climber and name-dropper extraordinaire- but for us it was an exquisite insight into the worlds most powerful. We highly recommend this read.
He speaks of his meetings with high power Royals like Saudi’s Mohammed Bin Salman, the late Queen Elizabeth and other families from her royal family, financial titans like Mario Draghi and Sir Fred Goodwin and several politicians, including Narendra Modi, David Cameron, Xi Jin Ping, Vladimir Putin and president Obama.
Some called this Barber’s attempt to cosy up to power and to be a weapons-grade social climber and name-dropper extraordinaire- but for us it was an exquisite insight into the worlds most powerful. We highly recommend this read.
March 15, 2021
De hoofdredacteur van de Financial Times heeft zijn ‘private diaries’ gepubliceerd. Daarin lezen we dat de FT baas iedereen kent, van Wall Street CEO’s, tot Londense politici, van zangers tot de paus. En allemaal ‘on a first name basis’. Een zekere mate van ‘sucking up to power’ is soms noodzakelijk om goede journalisitiek te bedrijven, maar ik kreeg de indruk dat Barber erg geniet van zijn omgang met de rijken en machtigen.
Had graag meer gelezen over hoe Barber van het FT een echt wereldmerk heeft gemaakt, en als een van de weinige kranten succesvol de transitie naar digitaal heeft weten te maken. Dat is namelijk de echte prestatie, met alle respect voor theedrinken met Mario (Draghi), bellen met Lloyd (Blankfein) en even langs wippen bij Tony (Blair).
Had graag meer gelezen over hoe Barber van het FT een echt wereldmerk heeft gemaakt, en als een van de weinige kranten succesvol de transitie naar digitaal heeft weten te maken. Dat is namelijk de echte prestatie, met alle respect voor theedrinken met Mario (Draghi), bellen met Lloyd (Blankfein) en even langs wippen bij Tony (Blair).
August 1, 2023
Good insights into the daily life of a newsroom editor though more on the FT's impressive shift to digital would have been welcome. The short entry diary format made it an undemanding and entertaining read.
Given Barber's encounters with people at the pinnacle of global power, the book felt shallow. Deep analysis of the turbulent events that his diary entries record is lacking, and it was hard to discern Barber's ethics other than seeing wealth creation as good. Barber recognises that the FT failed to see both the financial crash and Brexit coming but there was little reflection on how to correct for that. Themes such as inequality, climate change or social care are not debated.
The overall impression is of a bubble of talented, powerful people driven primarily by status.
Given Barber's encounters with people at the pinnacle of global power, the book felt shallow. Deep analysis of the turbulent events that his diary entries record is lacking, and it was hard to discern Barber's ethics other than seeing wealth creation as good. Barber recognises that the FT failed to see both the financial crash and Brexit coming but there was little reflection on how to correct for that. Themes such as inequality, climate change or social care are not debated.
The overall impression is of a bubble of talented, powerful people driven primarily by status.
October 31, 2023
Over his 15 years served as Editor of the FT (2005-2020), Lionel Barber shares an insightful account of his dealings across the world of business, politics and even royalty. The sheer number of leaders who relied on him for advice and insight was frankly, surprising. It wasn’t a role I expected him to play. His address book must have read like the who’s who of global power and influence. His tenure covered the global financial crisis and, as he said, ended with a crisis of liberal democracy. He ultimately focused his tenure on the Weekend FT, original, long form journalism adaptable for print and online, and a digital transformation which would drive the FT past the milestone of 1 million paying readers in 2019. It’s an interesting and fascinating read.
November 24, 2020
An engaging, insightful and well written view on world events and leadership between 2005 and 2019. Barber’s drive, commitment and passion permeate the text without being overpowering. At times he is inspiring to the point of tears, at others infuriating and depressing in simply justifying the liberal centre position by claiming that everyone and everything else is wrong, most glaringly on populism and Brexit. We need to do way better than that if we are to recover not just the moral high ground but a balanced and open society, otherwise the implied conclusion is deeply depressing. Address that properly and it would have been five stars.
July 27, 2021
As a media person and a FT reader I find this book a thrilling read. Lionel Barber writes candidly and clearly including on his mistakes and regrets, notably under estimating the Leave campaign during the Brexit saga.
This book is especially rewarding when Barber tells the story when his job requires him to publish unsparing pieces on people he was close to either personally or professionally like former PM Tony Blair and WPP boss Martin Sorrel.
Barber's shop talk about the sale of FT from Pearson to Nikkei is also fascinating as well as the general disruptive challenges facing the media/news business. The main takeaway is that never stray from
editorial excellence.
This book is especially rewarding when Barber tells the story when his job requires him to publish unsparing pieces on people he was close to either personally or professionally like former PM Tony Blair and WPP boss Martin Sorrel.
Barber's shop talk about the sale of FT from Pearson to Nikkei is also fascinating as well as the general disruptive challenges facing the media/news business. The main takeaway is that never stray from
editorial excellence.
April 1, 2022
While I fully understand the critiques of Barber and this book as "middle class gossip" and "name-dropping," I really enjoyed his voice as the diary of someone in a privileged position during recent history. His access to power players was second to none, and I appreciated the glimpses into his interactions with Putin, Trump, Xi, and the British establishment. This book made me a bigger fan of the FT, and I would happily recommend it to journalist friends. I would also happily read all of Barber's future books!
June 24, 2022
Loved it.
In a nutshell this book is basically a diary of the FT’s Editor that he kept throughout his tenure. The best part is that he was in office during the most bizarre times (eg GFC 08, Brexit, Trump, to name a few).
The book doesn’t really provide much commentary from the author on his views on certain earth-shaking events, but it’s just an easy read (don’t let the forever I took to finish the book fool you; I was lazy). The Ted Lasso of non-fiction books, in that it has substance, wit, and meaning.
Highly recommended.
In a nutshell this book is basically a diary of the FT’s Editor that he kept throughout his tenure. The best part is that he was in office during the most bizarre times (eg GFC 08, Brexit, Trump, to name a few).
The book doesn’t really provide much commentary from the author on his views on certain earth-shaking events, but it’s just an easy read (don’t let the forever I took to finish the book fool you; I was lazy). The Ted Lasso of non-fiction books, in that it has substance, wit, and meaning.
Highly recommended.
November 13, 2020
Interesting. At one point, someone alleges that Barber is a social climber and name dropper - which doesn't seem miles from the truth. Bits that stood out for me were (A) the license provided by standing on facts (re Putin interview), (B) the power of being a telephone switchboard (re Schwarzman in What it takes) and (C) having the courage to bury hatchets and move on, in typical British understatedness.
November 9, 2021
Well written book by the Financial Times long-serving editor (2005-2020) Lionel Barber. Reads like a global political history of these years with lots of insights.
One thing I was surprised about is his assessment towards the end of the book of South Korea as ‘leaning to authoritarian democracy’. It is strange given its stellar track record of moving from the authoritarian regime to a vibrant democracy where no president is immune from public scrutiny and eventual convictions.
One thing I was surprised about is his assessment towards the end of the book of South Korea as ‘leaning to authoritarian democracy’. It is strange given its stellar track record of moving from the authoritarian regime to a vibrant democracy where no president is immune from public scrutiny and eventual convictions.
November 12, 2020
I really enjoyed this book.
It goes without saying that the writing is of the highest quality but I appreciated the format of the book too as it’s a fast-paced run through of major news stories from the last 15 years with the author’s own take and subsequent opinions.
Highly recommend for people interested in current affairs.
It goes without saying that the writing is of the highest quality but I appreciated the format of the book too as it’s a fast-paced run through of major news stories from the last 15 years with the author’s own take and subsequent opinions.
Highly recommend for people interested in current affairs.
March 17, 2021
Brings a human side to the view of global statesmen; a behind the scenes look at how contemporary politicians and businessmen operate. Appreciated the humorous angle too. Ultimately though, this book is too much like a soapie: doesn't really have a defined beginning or memorable conclusion.
3/5 stars
3/5 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews