Description: A Very English Scandal by John Preston An unputdownable real-life political thriller set in the House of CommonsThe bestselling book that inspired the Bafta-winning BBC drama, starring Hugh Grant and Ben WhishawCorruption. Blackmail. Conspiracy to murder. A Very English Scandal has all the hallmarks of a classic thriller with one difference. Its all true.In the late 1960s Jeremy Thorp, the charismatic leader of the Liberal Party, was at the height of his political career. But homosexuality had only just been legalized, and a former relationship with a younger man named Norman Scott threatened to destroy Thorps carefully curated facade. Helped by fellow politicians, Thorpe schemed, deceived and embezzled until he saw only one way to silence his ex-lover for good.Meticulously researched and endlessly extraordinary, Thorps trial captured the moment that British society discovered the truth about its political class - and learned just how far the Establishment will go to protect its own.Gripping. A story of cack-handed assassins, buffoonish policemen, dodgy Home Secretaries Daily TelegraphI loved it; eccentric, dark, humane and English in the very best sense Alain de BottonRetold with masterful skill . . . It grips like a detective story Daily Mail, Book of the Week FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Notes Now in paperback, this is the true story of Liberal MP Jeremy Thorpe, who in 1979 stood trial for conspiracy to murder, and was exposed as a homosexual. From the author of The Dig. A terrific book and brilliantly researched. Claire Tomalin Back Cover This is a brilliant, sad, startling nonfiction novel about the Jeremy Thorpe murder-plot scandal. It is as funny and dark as anything by Evelyn Waugh or Jonathan Coe. And in these post Cyril Smith/Jimmy Saville days, its so timely and relevant Jon Ronson The shocking true story of the first British politician to stand trial for murder Behind oak-panelled doors in the House of Commons, men with cut-glass accents and gold signet rings are conspiring to murder. Its the late 1960s and homosexuality has only just been legalised, and Jeremy Thorpe, the leader of the Liberal party, has a secret hes desperate to hide. As long as Norman Scott, his beautiful, unstable lover is around, Thorpes brilliant career is at risk. With the help of his fellow politicians, Thorpe schemes, deceives, embezzles - until he can see only one way to silence Scott for good. Gripping. A story of cack-handed assassins, buffoonish policemen, dodgy Home Secretaries and sizzled judges Daily Telegraph The most forensic, elegantly written and compelling account of one of the 20th centurys great political scandals. A real page-turner. An entertaining mix of tragedy and farce, involving people in high and low places Observer Author Biography John Preston is a former Arts Editor of the Evening Standard and the Sunday Telegraph. For ten years he was the Sunday Telegraphs television critic and one of its chief feature writers. His novel, The Dig, based on the 1939 archaeological excavation at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk, has been filmed starring Ralph Fiennes, Carey Mulligan and Lily James. His first nonfiction book, A Very English Scandal, was published to great acclaim in 2016 and turned into BAFTA-winning BBC drama series. His latest book, Fall, tells the story of the rise and fall of the politician and business magnate Robert Maxwell. Review The shocking true story of the first British politician to stand trial for murder * Publishers description *This is a brilliant, sad, startling nonfiction novel about the Jeremy Thorpe murder-plot scandal. It is as funny and dark as anything by Evelyn Waugh or Jonathan Coe. And in these post Cyril Smith/Jimmy Saville days, its so timely and relevant * Jon Ronson *A terrific book and brilliantly researched. John Preston writes wonderful dead-pan prose and reveals the depths of depravity, the absurd power of snobbery and the old boy networks of the time -- Claire TomalinA brilliant exploration of an extraordinary political scandal... deeply researched, fluently written, and darkly comic, it reads like a thriller -- Ben MacintyreI loved it; eccentric, dark, humane and English in the very best sense. Its going to be a sure fire-hit -- Alain de BottonThe most forensic, elegantly written, compelling account of one of the 20th centurys great political scandals... a real page-turner * Observer *Very funny and endlessly extraordinary... makes for amazing reading -- Catherine Shoard * Guardian *Impeccably researched... full of shocks, surprises and laugh-out-loud moments. Preston revives a forgotten era and delves into the personalities behind the headlines. * Times Crime Club *Retold with masterful skill... It grips like a detective story, as compelling as BBC2s Life of Duty and every bit as dirty in what it exposes about the upper echelons of society in the Sixties and Seventies * Daily Mail Book of the Week *This brilliant account made me feel I was hearing the tale for the first time ... Preston is an enthralling narrator * Mail on Sunday *Gripping ... cack-handed assassins, buffoonish policemen, dodgy Home secretaries and sozzled judges. The conclusion of an Establishment cover-up is hard to avoid * Daily Telegraph *The unbelievable truth... Preston is a natural storyteller ... he provides the context for actions that seem unbelievable today * The Times *Wonderfully readable ... John Preston is the ideal author, having researched for years many minor characters and talked to dozens of well-known political and literary friends and enemies of Thorpe * Standpoint *Fluent, readable ... a vivid tableau of the players in Thorpes long, tragic downfall * Evening Standard *I spent a thrilling 48 hours reading it. The narrative is so vivid, the characterisation so brilliant... I thought I knew all about these events, but the full horror of them has only now become apparent -- Antonia FraserA gripping account of the Jeremy Thorpe case. The details make one laugh out loud or gasp with amazement -- Charles Moore * Spectator *The whole affair is retold here compellingly and fluently, bringing to life the cast of characters with some verve * The i *Nothing comes close to the eyepopping outrageousness of the gay murder shenanigans that engulfed and almost destroyed a Liberal leader. Reads like a comic thriller -- Rachel JohnsonA wonderful, wonderful read -- Nick Robinson, BBC Today Programme Promotional An unputdownable real-life political thriller set in the House of Commons. Review Text The shocking true story of the first British politician to stand trial for murder Review Quote A terrific book and brilliantly researched. John Preston writes wonderful dead-pan prose and reveals the depths of depravity, the absurd power of snobbery and the old boy networks of the time Promotional "Headline" An unputdownable real-life political thriller set in the House of Commons Details ISBN0241973740 Author John Preston Publisher Penguin Books Ltd Year 2017 ISBN-10 0241973740 ISBN-13 9780241973745 Format Paperback Publication Date 2017-04-06 Media Book Imprint Penguin Books Ltd Place of Publication London Country of Publication United Kingdom DEWEY 364.152092 Subtitle Now a Major BBC Series Starring Hugh Grant Short Title A Very English Scandal Language English UK Release Date 2017-04-06 Pages 368 Alternative 9780241973752 Audience General NZ Release Date 2017-06-18 AU Release Date 2017-06-18 We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! 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ISBN-13: 9780241973745
Book Title: A Very English Scandal: Now a Major Bbc Series Starring Hugh Grant
Item Height: 198mm
Item Width: 129mm
Author: John Preston
Format: Paperback
Language: English
Topic: True Crime, Politics, History
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Publication Year: 2017
Type: Textbook
Genre: Biographies & True Stories
Item Weight: 256g
Number of Pages: 368 Pages