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A View from the Sidelines
A light-hearted behind-the-scenes account of Michael Shea's years with presidents, monarchs, captains of industry, film stars, secret agents, and hangers-on.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2003
About the author
Michael Shea
18 books126 followersFor the American author of fantasy and science fiction see Michael Shea
Michael Sinclair MacAuslan Shea was press secretary to the Queen from 1978 to 1987. Earlier he had been a career diplomat and was also an author of political thrillers and non-fiction.
Michael Sinclair MacAuslan Shea was press secretary to the Queen from 1978 to 1987. Earlier he had been a career diplomat and was also an author of political thrillers and non-fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 30, 2014
A fascinating book of the reminiscences of Michael Shea, a distinguished diplomat and a press secretary to the Queen for ten years.
Full of witty anecdotes and stories of what goes on behind the scenes with the Royal family, politicians, ambassadors, presidents this is a whirlwind look at celebrity and gives an honest slant on the idiosyncrasies of historic personages, great leaders and their not so great habits in private.
A good read full of gossip and sometimes even downright scandal.
Full of witty anecdotes and stories of what goes on behind the scenes with the Royal family, politicians, ambassadors, presidents this is a whirlwind look at celebrity and gives an honest slant on the idiosyncrasies of historic personages, great leaders and their not so great habits in private.
A good read full of gossip and sometimes even downright scandal.
October 30, 2026
If you’re looking for a book with bombshell revelations about royal family, you chose a wrong one (I can see some disappointed comments in the reviews).
“The Sidelines” is the perfect title for this book. The author gives us insights into many political events, meetings and places, which he experienced himself during the time when he was working as intelligence officer. It is a great read and if you are able to read between the lines, it will give you a fine picture of what politics all over the world really look like behind closed doors, as what you see on the surface is just an illusion (for example opposition in the government or arguing politicians in front of journalists just to have a drink together later on).
Nothing has really changed since those times, and will not in the future as this is exactly how systems work, and the only thing that changes is the technology but never the human nature.
“The Sidelines” is the perfect title for this book. The author gives us insights into many political events, meetings and places, which he experienced himself during the time when he was working as intelligence officer. It is a great read and if you are able to read between the lines, it will give you a fine picture of what politics all over the world really look like behind closed doors, as what you see on the surface is just an illusion (for example opposition in the government or arguing politicians in front of journalists just to have a drink together later on).
Nothing has really changed since those times, and will not in the future as this is exactly how systems work, and the only thing that changes is the technology but never the human nature.
September 6, 2021
Pretty much a gossip book
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews