Running From Office: 'Wonderfully engaging, honest and witty' - Rory Stewart -THE NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER

by Eoghan Murphy

'A wonderfully engaging, honest and witty portrait of the humiliations, idealism, nobility and banality of democratic life' - Rory Stewart, author of Politics on the Edge

'Wryly self-deprecating, but also informative and illuminating' - Matt Cooper

As Ireland's Minister for Housing, Eoghan Murphy took on one of the toughest briefs in government, one that continues to be a challenge today. Looking back at his life in the build-up to parliamentary office and at his time in the cabinet, Eoghan brings a self-lacerating and deeply personal view of the life of a modern politician trying - and often failing - to make the positive change he hoped to deliver. Brutal and sometimes harrowing, Eoghan's tale is also surprisingly funny, though the humour is only ever at the author's expense.

If, in the end, all political careers end in failure, why didn't anyone tell the author that? There are no heroes or villains here, just a person facing their own limitations as they navigate the unfamiliar world of campaigns, elected office and government responsibility.

Bringing refreshing candour to the pressures and absurdity of politics, this book shows us who our politicians really are when there's nothing left to spin and no one there to spin it to.

Genres: Politics, Audiobook, Irish Literature, Nonfiction, Ireland, Biography

325 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2024

Reviews

[Peter Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well worth a read: a highly accessible and engaging book from start to finish and you don't need to be a politics nerd to appreciate it.

Murphy has obviously had a very storied career and I am grateful for the candour with which he approached this book. He gives the reader a no-holds-barred insight into the campaign trail, whether at a local council or national level, and into the back office wheeling and dealing that goes on in party HQ or behind the walls of Leinster House. I was surprised also at the disillusionment that goes on within parties, especially at the level of parliamentary backbenchers who really cannot do a whole lot; I was appalled to read that they amount to little more than 'button pushers' - voting in line with the decisions of the powerful few at the party apex - for example.

As you'd expect from a D4 politician, he comes across quite pompous at times, but I think that is counter-balanced by the refreshing honesty with which he talks about the lowest lows of being Minister for Housing. It was abundantly clear that the relentless personal and professional pressure proved insurmountable for him, as I'm sure it would anyone, by the time of his resignation.*

Perhaps there's a lesson in there for us constituents - the line between personal and public life does deserve respect, no matter how willingly someone has thrust themselves into a life of politics.

*There's another time and place for us to consider, on the other hand, the undignified misery of being homeless and at the mercy of often quite incompetent politicians and systems.

[David Conway · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author’s self-deprecating style reads as contrived and immature. Despite this, the book has a compelling narrative arc and does offer the odd insight into the machinations behind Irish party politics and government. I will say this: while Murphy doesn’t come across at all as unintelligent, he does give the impression of an unserious, superficial thinker. As someone who portrays himself as an idealist and a man of ideas, he appears to lack both. In the case of ideals, the most we get are vague, spasmodic gestures toward libertarianism and a sort of social liberalism. In the case of ideas, we get whatever is in Murphy’s immediate proximity — that is, his civil-servant briefings and whatever is permeating the Dáil Chamber or RTÉ airwaves. For an upper-class, privately educated individual with an undergraduate degree in philosophy, this comes both as a surprise and a disappointment.

To sum the man up in a word: Rory Stewart without the reading.

[Derval Tannam · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. This wasn't a bad read for a political autobiography, but it was hard to sympathise with Murphy.
He slipped in details about sleeping with "an attractive woman" and being approached in a club when he was with another (presumably also attractive) woman a bit too casually. There's no doubt that tackling the housing crisis in Ireland was and is hugely challenging though, and he seems to have been criticised for his personality almost as much as his policies.
Murphy is quite candid and admits that he made several blunders in communication. He doesn't come across as too bitter about the people he believes turned on him. Not a bad read overall.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warning, this review will verge into almost ranting qualities, but wow, this book!!! This is one of my favourite reads of this year, and definitely is my all time favourite political novel. It was just so so good.

Firstly, I really do believe the rating of this book doesn't match its quality, and that's just due to the unfortunate reality of the book's context - chances are, you're not going to read a book on irish politics unless you're interested in Irish politics, and if you're interested in Irish politics, you'll probably already have an opinion on Eoghan Murphy, be it positive (possible) or negative (probable).

Although I do remember all the events he writes about, I was too young to know the actual ins and outs of the Dail, and so went into this book completely ignorant of who Eoghan Murphy was, and his role in government.

I've seen some reviews lambasting his style and voice here, but I really enjoyed it. I think it's a preference thing, but I just really got him and the points he was making. I really commend him on how brutally honest he is, and what insight he gives in his account of his time in politics.

Speaking of politics, I would really recommend anyone thinking of going into politics to read this book. The level of public scrutiny, abuse, and loss of privacy politicians go through is insane. There are perks to the jobs, of course. Travelling around the globe every St Patrick's Day? How bad. But overall, it's a relentless and largely thankless job. The level of physical, mental, emotional, and personal strain Murphy details resulting from his job is just mad - it's amazing any politician can stay in the game and stay sane!

I just loved this book so much. I read it anytime I could, and when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it. I know some people didn't like the early days x later days anti-chronological formating of chapters, but I felt it worked and really highlighted the contrasting realities between the optimism of his beginning in politics, and the darkness of his tone as Housing Minister.

All in all, just a great book well worth reading!

[Conor Tannam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really liked the fact it was about Irish politics.
Did not like the author and his annoying sense of self.
Arrogant, sexist and heartless. Apparently, he lives in London now. I hope I never encounter him.

[Andrew Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here you’ll find the curtains that hide the inner workings of Irish politics rolled back. I’ve connected the dots on how Irish politics functions and now better understand our government’s cloak-and-dagger operations.

The chief ‘pointer-and-looker’ entered politics with an air of privilege and a 'cosseted' upbringing, which may not make him immediately relatable to all Irish people.

But he seems to have entered the world of politics for the “right” reasons.

He gives us a tour of the major governmental buildings in Ireland—from the Mansion House, the Custom House, to Leinster House.

Politics: A Game of Whack-a-Mole
Politics is like playing whack-a-mole with your two hands tied behind your back. By trying to fix one issue, you inadvertently make another one. But that’s assuming you can at least attempt to fix the issue—because decisive action is often stymied, which appears to be the case during this Fine Gael minority government's tenure.

It’s astounding that the housing crisis could not have been classified as an emergency because it was 'foreseen' by some economists. Baffling.

Teachtaí Dála (TDs) eviscerated the housing minister and his policies on building but then subsequently objected to proposals to build in their constituency. Quite hypocritical to say the least.

“We need more houses, minister! (But not where my constituents live.)”

What were some proposals made by Eoghan that were shot down?
The Right to Housing. It seems surprising to the unfamiliar that the right to housing isn't already included in the Irish Constitution. Well, Eoghan made a failed attempt to enshrine the right to housing in the Irish Constitution.
Employing NAMA as the state's affordable home builder. There was a failed attempt to repurpose the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) as the state's affordable home builder.
A rejected policy to tax vacant properties.
Do any of these sound unreasonable?

And let's not mention the co-living space proposals. Bedsits are 'illegal' in Ireland. Yet I personally have lived in a bedsit for the past several years in our nation's capital paying exorbitant rent.

The Problem with Party Politics
The inability to take a differing stance compared to your own party leadership views is worrying. Of course, to make progress you need cohesion and direction. But you also need healthy debate and discussions between members within your party and with the opposition. A suggestion to loosen the whip doesn't seem outlandish.

I doubt the Irish government is the most dysfunctional globally, but evidently, there are reforms that must happen. As J.F. Kennedy remarked, “the Dáil doesn't inspire the brightest ideas.”

The Human Cost of Politics
Towards the end, it’s unsettling to learn about the extent to which people personally attacked Eoghan. Of course, politicians are exposed and deservedly must answer to the electorate. But do not criticize others so harshly, personally, even if you disagree vehemently with their positions. If you're in a disagreement or dispute, try to avoid resorting to an Ad Hominem attack.

But perhaps that's easy to say, as the housing situation in Ireland is a life and death matter, as we learn about. People are facing a desperately dire situation.

Final Thoughts
Running From Office is an easy-to-read, humorous, and revealing book that sheds light on the challenges of Irish politics. Anyone interested in understanding how the system really works will find it insightful.

[Bobby Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

By no means a Fine Gael voter, in fact I thoroughly dislike the particular candidates of this party in my area. However this is a fantastic rendition of what working on the front lines of politics must be like. Eoghan Murphy creates a very engaging book, with a great flow that it becomes hard to put down. He creates a good balance of coming across as likeable whilst also being able to critically analyse himself in a comedic way

[Ben Kinane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is a must read for anyone who has an interest in or is thinking about politics as a career. Murphy's insights into the job is so honest and raw. He is not trying to prove a point to anyone in this book, but rather explain what it's like to be a minister and the highs and lows of political life in Ireland. The amount of honesty that he expresses in this book makes me admire him as it is not easy being in public life anywhere. Murphy also shows us he had a level of naivety. He admits that he doesn't understand at the beginning about how a parliamentary system works and how the party line operates but I've read different biographies/ memoirs about politics personalities and there's always a sense of entitlement and privacy in their work. But not Murphy, he lets the curtains down on every aspect of political life, the ins and outs of what goes on in a functioning democracy.

[Fionn McGorry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Look, at least he owns up to his own mistakes. But there are just a few too many moments where he claims conveniently to have hidden a personal position that would have made a positive difference because he was stymied by other players. Just too convenient. And similarly, it’s hard to get over the not-so-subtle self-ideation as Ireland’s Obama in the early part of the book.

[Mike Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to say how honest Eoghan was writing this but it did feel genuine. It's a good tale of how difficult it is to be a backbencher and then they myriad of difficulties faced when he was a minister. So many fires to fight and obstacles to navigate that it makes it difficult to get anything ambitious complete. Maybe it's an indictment of bureaucratic democracies but it feels like it's more complicated than that. I think every political system has these issues. Its a good tale of anyone in politics and eoghan wasn't even there that long.

[Laura Dolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars because I didn't like the back-and-forth nature of the chapters- it was confusing. It was more politically heavy than I expected and I thought there would be more details on the author's personal life.

[Cal Commons · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. While I occasionally found Eoghan’s “candour” and self-deprecating “honesty” a bit contrived, the insights into the inner workings of government were quite interesting.

Having mainly known Eoghan as the Minister for Housing, I found his reflections on the frustrations of being a backbench government TD to be unexpected and engaging. I also really appreciated the behind-the-scenes look at cabinet operations and the evolution of his relationship with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, including its eventual rise and fall.

[Gayle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating

[Anna Winifred Conway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting, really great insight to Murphy’s world / take. I liked his tone, I liked the way he was able to admit he was wrong…I began to really empathise with him but that wore off quite quickly after a few days. Then I started to get annoyed that I had empathised with him? But overall, I definitely benefitted from reading this.
Would love more books from politicians from every side of the Irish gov - not just FF FG saving their face.

[Diarmuid Angland · Rating 4 out of 5]

The honesty in this book was compelling. Unlike most political memoirs this wasn’t about spinning the past or settling scores.

[Jeffrey Kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

First I met the author, just a radom coffee and chat in the city of Tbilisi, Georgia. I had never heard of him before, we had nothing in common, except that we were two guys from Ireland working in Georgia in the former Soviet Union. I have been there for a long time and he has a short term posting to oversee general elections.
I instantly enjoyed his witty conversation, he told me he had written a book which was soon to be released, I instantly knew I wanted to read it. I hadn't the foggies idea how politics and governnent works in Ireland. Eoghan had been a member of parliment (TD) and the book is a lovely story of how he started and eventually finished as a 'Minister of Housing' (and infastructure) whilst Ireland was going througt a housing crisis and a pandemic. His position as minister was in the cross hairs of every man and beast in the country that needed a roof over their tent!
My favorit part was how he managed to drop in so many witty bits and make you giggle your way out of some potentially sad scenarios. There was an occasion when the going got too tough, he visited a doctors clinic whilst at a low point, he suggested to the doctor that 'perhaps she could perscribe some houses'....... she didnt get the joke, I did.
I am deligted that I read it, delighted by what I learned from it and furthermore, I also bought and listened to the audio version which was read buy the author.

[Tata · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't regret reading it. It's not badly written, and it's an insightful look into how Fine Gael members think (shallow and power-obsessed and priveleged).

Several times I sent quotes from him to my friends, so we could all laugh - blustering around, demanding a promotion from Varadkar, feeling bitter that his constituents aren't nice to him and his job isn't rewarding or fun. So not a waste.

Murphy went into politics with no beliefs and no ideas, and if he has any now, he's too cowardly to write any of them down. He seems puzzled and dismayed by the fact people went and stayed homeless because of him, and still doesn't seem to think anyone could possibly do anything about this. He seems apologetic about having a big head and not liking or wanting to help people, which I appreciate, but he could've tried harder.

At one point he has a "vulnerable mental health breakdown" moment where he goes for a night walk out of stress and considers resigning. I wish he had, but sadly he went back to work.

It's a little depressing to think the people running the country are like this. The crises are just things to make excuses and whine about, "research" is just a thing you ask your older brothers and the man at the pub about, and people with "ideology" are to be sneered at in the boys' club for real politicians. Keep running, Murphy.

[Aoife · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I saw this book was coming out, I pre-ordered the audiobook straight away. I won’t deny it, this was a political downfall I wanted to read all about.

Enough dust has settled for him to take his stand, make his excuses and right his wrongs. Life for Eoghan could have been so different and so much easier, he had made waves as a travel writer, he turned down a job in the UN, yet he felt public service was for him, as he said someone had to do it. When he found out that the Irish public had voted No to the Lisbon Treaty, he knew the disillusioned and disenchanted public needed a changing of the guard and he was the man for the job.

He explores how he wasn’t a true blue. It was a party of convenience and a chance meeting in a pub in London with Enda brought a means to an end. We hear about the road to being a councillor, a TD and finally the Minister for Housing. It was the poisoned chalice or as he coined it, he became the proverbial piñata, there to take a beating, but he wanted so much to be at that table and he had a friend in the Taoiseach, well that’s what he thought.

It’s so hard not to feel empathetic for him as we hear of the deceitfulness, the power plays, the bureaucracy, the votes of no confidence, the lampooning, abuse and panic attacks and how his quick fixes in one area exacerbated another. He wasn’t there for the Mercs and perks. It seemed he could never get it right, every holiday ended in a crisis. He lost his passion for politics and his family and friends no longer recognised him. He became known as the Minister for Gaffs, i.e. both mistakes and houses. But as he said a true life in politics is one that ends in failure and his surely did. When you mention his name, his legacy unfortunately reminds us of the JCB incident and the person that suffered life changing injuries. He admits he should have left sooner but a personal tragedy distracted him from his out.

It was heartfelt, anti-establishment and eye-opening. I wished he shared more about his life now and let us in more into his life after politics

[James Durkan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Running From Office: Confessions of Ambition and Failure in Politics / Eoghan Murphy

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

~ …and people said I was out of touch. It blew up on Twitter of course and so I got Chris to tweet an apology from me admitting it was not a good comparison. According to one woody columnist, I was christened the Minister for Gaffes, meaning mistakes, as well as the Minister for Gaffs, meaning homes… ~

LAST BOOK OF 2024.

A cautionary tale, it reads quite well throughout it all. Eoghan Murphy should have been a shining star, except his star rose to quickly in Irish politics and was left to mistake after mistake. There’s a certain lack of self awareness throughout, but in fairness he put his name out there and ran.

It’s funny listening back to these stories, as the problems he faced are still very much big problems in Irish society. Housing, homelessness, it’s not getting better.

I hope Murphs has found his peace in it all. He did well for council, but the Dáil? Sorry pal.

Audiobook Length: 8hrs, 25mins
Narrator: Eoghan Murphy

* Read: 22/12/24 - 30/12/24
* Release Date: 16/12/24

[Aaron Gillespie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book and it was an easy read that flowed nicely even though I wasn’t a major fan of the jumping between time.

Murphy is someone I fundamentally disagree with but he is open and honest in this book and after reading it’s clear that he got into politics and FG party itself for all the wrong reasons and his naïveté and lack of clear ideology towards housing or any polices he worked on is what let him down.

The tone of the book try’s to garner sympathy for him but he is someone very hard to sympathise with and he doesn’t really come across as a likeable or sympathetic character.

I will commend him for his honesty and openness within the book and the insight it gives inside the workings of the FG party and government of that period.

For those reasons it’s worth a read if you’re someone that follows Irish politics from any side of the political spectrum. But don’t expect any detailed reflection or justification of his housing polices or the impacts they have had because he doesn’t give any and I don’t really think he has any.

[Liam Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable. The best political memoir I've read. Self-deprecating and honest (well as much as a politician can be), I left the book with a deeper understanding of how modern politics works. Yes, Eoghan Murphy failed in certain areas of his portfolio but the constant image you get is of someone trying to fix what he thought was wrong. He didn't always make the right calls, he was probably too young for the job and he definitely didn't have as much as grit as he thought he had but at the end of the day he was a human trying his best in a job that very little in the country would like to take on. Going back and forth between when he was just starting out in politics so being in the thick of his post as Minister For Housing, the story is told in a way that keeps you engaged and interested. I left the book pitying anyone in government and low-key annoyed at people who hurl so much abuse at politicians. For some (looking at you Bertie) it's warranted but for others.... Could those shouting and screaming do any better job?

[Alannah Canton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very honest retrospective account during a very difficult time in politics. The country is in recovery post austerity and is struggling with a housing crisis, in which the author has responsibility to resolve as housing minister. As someone who previously worked in the area of homelessness during this time, it was a fresh perspective to get eoghans understanding of what happened within Fine Gael and government at that time. His frustration is clear at the lack of pace and reform which he could achieve is clear but ultimately it is failure as what needed to be achieved was admittedly the impossible.

[Stephen Kinsella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Food for thought for anyone interested in politics

Murphy’s memoir is unsparing of himself or politics. Everyone a hypocrite, everyone a bombast unable to make the distinction between their personal interests and the national interest. Murphy tells us something fundamental about Irish politics, which is that radical change is nearly impossible. The toll politics takes on the individual is clear, as is the eventual accumulation of damage, heading towards the exit. In the end Murphy’s memoir is a cautionary tale.

[Rob Geraghty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me a new perspective on the challenges of holding a ministerial post, especially after being critical of Murphy during his time in office. It was fascinating to learn about the red tape involved in a democratic society—sometimes necessary, sometimes frustrating—that makes governing far more complex than it might seem to an armchair politician. I also appreciated how self-critical Murphy is throughout the book, even though he’s had years to reflect and frame his experiences. The writing is excellent, and the Audible narration is top-notch. Highly recommend!

[Kevin Sweeney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would recommend this book to anyone with even a passing interest in Irish politics, regardless of your political affiliation.
Murphy gives a brutally honest account of what is involved in being an elected government minister. This includes the interplay between various public bodies and governmental departments, as well as the internal politics which can overshadow actions and decisions.
The book reads well and highlights the pressure that politicians are under, while also acknowledging the mistakes that they sometimes make.

[Oisín · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve wanted to read this book for a while, there’s something fascinating about getting the “inside scoop” on a government. And I generally enjoyed the book, but it’s given me a real sense of dread and disappointment in how government and our civil service works. And it really makes me feel like the housing crisis won’t be solved any time soon.

I think I appreciated Eoghan’s self-deprecating tone and honesty throughout. But again, it doesn’t inspire faith in the systems of Ireland’s governance.

Sad!

[Darren Clarke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to this as an audiobook and enjoyed it. It's a decent account of what it's like being both inside and outside of politics and he's honest about his and the political system's failings. However, for many in my generation he was the face behind the housing crisis and despite his explanations for how things did or did not happen, it's very hard to look beyond his personal failings on the crisis. That said, it's a nice insight into politics at the highest level. Certainly deterred me from ever considering entering politics.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am aware that the object of this book was not intended to be a diary account of the author's time in public office. While somewhat insightful into the happenings in Cabinet, the disjointed chapters and flitting between different years in office leads to an overall lack of cohesion in this book.

I wouldn't call this a politics book, it offers little of interest to the policy anoraks that would find themselves gravitating to the Politics section where this is displayed in bookshops.

[Walter Stevens · Rating 3 out of 5]

The memoir of a fast-climbing Irish politician, who "burnt out" after a period as a Cabinet Minister. It has elements of humour, but it mainly serves to show how the process of installing someone as the political head of departments with an extremely wide remit is fraught with problems. In that sense it echoes Rory Stewart's book On the Edge, but Murphy is less whiney. A solid read if you're a West Wing aficionado.

[Anna Heverin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found Murphy’s account surprisingly unflinching and honest in his expression of motivations, thoughts and back room machinations of his time in government. I found it a very good read with some elements of humour injected even amongst the meanderings of in depth housing policy. Perhaps it’s too late in the court of public opinion for the author to cut a sympathetic figure but I think he afforded the reader more honesty in this book than maybe was permissible when he was a minister