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Live from Downing Street
- Narrated by: Simon Shepherd
- Length: 15 hrs and 22 mins
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Live from Downing Street
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Summary
The relationship between those who wield power and those whose job it is to tell us what they are doing has always been fraught with tension. Politicians now expect to be on camera and facing aggressive questions from the moment they open their front door to the moment they return home at night. Everything they say and do is instantly broadcast and dissected on 24-hour news channels, blogs, and Twitter. It was not always this way.
Live from Downing Street takes us on an absorbing journey through the hard-fought battles for the right to tell the public about the decisions taken on their behalf. Parliament once imprisoned those who dared to report what MPs had said. Broadcasters used to be banned by law from debating anything newsworthy and even from covering elections. Since that censorship ended, the two sides have clashed repeatedly. We follow the fluctuations of the power struggle from Walpole to modern times, dwelling in fascinating detail on those who fought back - Churchill, Wilson, Thatcher, and Blair.
At the same time we learn of the emergence of the equally charismatic key players from radio and television: the Dimblebys, Day, Frost, Walden, Paxman, and Humphrys. Nick Robinson provides a colourful and personal examination of what life is like as the BBC’s Political Editor – a role described in a report for the White House as "the most important job in British political journalism".
Peppered with informative but witty anecdotes, his account reveals his own considered view of the controversial issue of impartial reporting. Live from Downing Street is a gripping story written by someone uniquely placed to add his own perceptive insights and observations.
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What listeners say about Live from Downing Street
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 15-04-24
Brilliant , informative and intriguing
Excellent listen. I looked forward to listening to this every night. I also found the ‘impersonations’ whilst not even remotely accurate, entertaining and ‘character catching’ - highly recommended book.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- mat brown
- 04-05-16
Nick rocks
Brilliant listen, informative and thought provoking. And we'll read (althougH Simon could do with practicing his Scottish brogue ;) )
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ms Sarah P
- 16-09-18
Insightful, prescient, impressive.
You had to have been in the room to be this insightful and this impressive
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Ben
- 14-09-15
Brilliant.
Thought provoking, fair and enjoyable read - great explanation of the UK media's relationship with government. Insightful, enjoyable and balanced, explains a lot of why I spend so much time arguing with friends on Facebook!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Archbishop
- 15-01-24
Very good book
Very good book by Nick on his work here I enjoyed it very much.if you want a book that is honest about politics then this is it.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- bhak
- 23-12-12
Very topical
A fascinating book. I think what you will take away is a good appreciation of how the BBC works with its constituents (the licence payers) and its titular (assumed by the titulator) 'boss', the government of its day. I was sorry to hear this book end.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Elizkarmey
- 15-05-16
Excellent
Great to hear the view point of someone who helps create the news we listen to and watch
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- E.J Henderson
- 28-06-15
A very interesting and informative book
I enjoyed this book very much and I believe his reports .i have a better understanding of many issues. We so often have mixed views and I a am much better informed about many things he discussed. I have always enjoyed his news reports.
I was a little disappointed that he himself did not read but have no fault to find with the present reader
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- H. L. Mason
- 01-01-13
A VERY EASY LISTEN
The is a very enjoyable, well written and very well read political potboiler. Whilst not exactly ground breaking, it is nevertheless a well compiled review of the author's career and the political leaders that populate it. Although it didn't tell me too much that I hadn't read about in various places, it certainly held my attention and I enjoyed enough to give it 4 stars.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mark
- 07-01-17
compelling stuff
Nick Robinson has shone a light on a world which the public so rarely get to see.
it revels the complex relationship between those who govern us and those who attempt to report.
it excellently spells out how lucky we are in britain to have the BBC and ITN
this is a must read for anyone interested in politics, the media and public affairs in general.
bravo Nick bravo.
also the narrator is rather excellent too
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