The story of the most successful political party in the world, and a nation made in its image.
'A witty, lucid investigation into one of the great mysteries of our time' JONATHAN COE
‘Should be read and enjoyed by readers on the left, right and centre’ David Edgerton, TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT
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Why do British politics so often play out on the Tories’ terms? What does this say about our democracy?
In his revelatory book, Samuel Earle explores the roots of the current crisis and the real reasons for the Conservatives’ unsettling success, from their ruling-class origins in the eighteenth century and their disproportionate influence of the British press to their stranglehold over national identity. He sheds light on the Conservatives’ historic appeal among the working classes and why the Labour Party so often disappoints.
Tory Nation describes the making of Britain through one party’s astonishing power over us. It’s only by reaching into our history, Earle argues, that we can understand how we got here – and how we can find a way out.
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'Written with historical depth and literary flair' NEW STATESMAN
‘Earle has set out clearly and eloquently why our democracy is incapable of solving our political problems’ ROBERT VERKAIK, author of Posh Boys
‘Gripping and indispensable’ NESRINE MALIK, author of We Need New Stories
‘A witty, lucid investigation into one of the great political mysteries of our time: the enduring love felt by the British people for the party which regularly manages to persuade them, against all the evidence, that it has their best interests at heart’ -- Jonathan Coe, author of Bournville
‘Finally, someone has explained why the British electorate behaves like Turkeys voting for Christmas. Sam Earle has set out clearly and eloquently why our democracy is incapable of solving our political problems’ -- Robert Verkaik, author of Posh Boys
‘Eviscerating. Less a political book and more a mystery novel . . . untangles the riddle of the strange cognitive dissonance between the Tories’ bumbling, destructive political record and their inexplicable electoral success’ -- i-D
'Explores the remarkable resilience of the Conservative party, which ought to be of interest to friend and foe alike’ Spectator
Highly readable. Capably explains two innate Conservative traits that are beyond doubt: an unquenchable lust for power, and a deep belief in stooping to conquer. Observer
'Not only brilliant but also steers well clear of facile ‘crisis of our politics’ analyses' -- Nesrine Malik, author of 'We Need New Stories'
‘A rich, well-written and rewarding book narrated with brio and insight. It should be read and enjoyed by readers on the left, right and centre’ David Edgerton, TLS
Samuel Earle is a journalist and political commentator from London. His work has appeared in New York Times, Guardian, London Review of Books, Atlantic,New Republic and New Statesman. He is currently studying for a PhD at Columbia University in New York. Tory Nation is his first book.
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