Speaking My Mind

by Leo Varadkar

Brought to you by Penguin.

Leo Varadkar shares his fascinating experience as Irish prime minister at a time of much change and turbulence, in this remarkably honest memoir.

Leo Varadkar was an unlikely Taoiseach – the youngest on taking office in 2017, the first Taoiseach to be gay, and the first person of colour to be Taoiseach.

Equally unlikely was his decision to bow out of politics in his mid-forties. Now, liberated from the constraints of office, he tells his fascinating story with characteristic courage and candour, and provides a unique insight into the formation and evolution of a senior politician.

In Speaking My Mind Leo Varadkar shares his pride in helping to bring about transformational changes, such as marriage equality. He describes experiences that only a prime minister could have – speaking frankly to Pope Francis on the legacy of church abuses, connecting with Barack Obama about both being the ‘tall, dark guy with the funny name’, navigating challenges such as the pandemic and the fallout from Brexit. And he writes honestly about the costs that go with the immense privilege of holding high office.

Speaking My Mind is a revealing, intimate and important memoir from a singular public figure.

Leo Varadkar 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Ireland

Audible Audio

Published September 11, 2025

Reviews

[Gayle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't believe I did this to myself

[Jack · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some political memoirs are interesting for what they reveal about events, others are interesting for what they reveal about the authors.

This is a man who was in charge of our country as recently as last year. He was Taoiseach for almost five years, Tánaiste for almost two and served as a Minister in Cabinet for about six. Despite this, his account of events over those years is not massively more insightful than what you would get from following media coverage of them. It’s so shallow.

Varadkar’s take on NPHET and the pandemic is, however, hugely interesting and one he probably deserves credit for expanding on well here.

It’s also massively interesting to read between the lines into his relationships with people like Eoghan Murphy and Simon Harris - from the accounts of these two in the book I feel they didn’t get on.

He actually could, and maybe should, have taken more of a victory lap in areas like Maurice McCabe, confidence and supply and the historic coalition formed after the 2020 general election.

The book is interesting in itself for seeing what Varadkar chooses to highlight and spend time on. It’s not one of those “here’s why I was right all along” memoirs but it’s just so surface level.

I found it very jarring that the opening quote to the book is one warning against criticising “the man in the arena” making hard decisions, aka government, when many would argue Varadkar is now doing that in his current newspaper columns and media interviews, despite literally having been in charge of our country a year ago.

I’m not sure if I expected more, but it’s hard not to feel that if he waited a few years he probably would’ve been in a position to deliver a deeper, better book. What we have here feels like a rushed attempt to put a stamp on his own legacy before anybody else.*


*One of my pet peeves in books is the use of unnecessary footnotes. That’s on full show here. Some of them are laughable, but that they are there speaks to a lack of self awareness that runs throughout the book, which is one of the most interesting things about it.

[Stella Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll say 3.5, it was lowk well written and very interesting if you are into political memoire its very much day to day. Nothing too juicy, good to see the day to day stuff also nice to see other politicians in it like a crossover episode

[Emma-Jane Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really informative read about the last 20 years of Irish politics. Conveys the inner workings of the government and how decisions have been reached which at the time weren’t clear.
Varadker takes accountability for misgivings without falsity or over the top apologies. The book does have some humour and shows a softer side to the previous Taoiseach.
It also highlights the key achievements of himself and Fine Gael some of which were not covered the way they should have been.

[Noelle Ni Mhaolchaithaigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, he was in power during a fascinating time. He was a great leader never afraid to push back. In this book it shows the background behind many of the events in recent history from his perspective, covid, dublin riots and Brexit. I love hearing about the discussions in the background. It shows the pressure and the fact that the job is always on with relentless decision making. I loved how he is not afraid in the book to admit when he got it wrong, made mistakes or misspoke. I would recommend for sure.

[Joseph Galgey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Shockingly banal and unsurprisingly spiteful. It's a little impressive to write a whole book about yourself without revealing any interesting things about yourself besides how bitterly you disliked Joan Burton.

[Leo Cuddigan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately I found it to be an oppressively average read.

[Andrew Burns · Rating 1 out of 5]

.

[Evan OL · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good read. Nice touches of dry humor. There is plenty of tidbits and self-deprecating moments. At the same, there is a fair bit of self-praise! Too many important things are glossed over.

[Kevin · Rating 2 out of 5]

One word to describe this book: Arrogance. He would go on to say “I was born to be taoiseach”. This book is an exercise of sheer narcissism and ego. Do not recommend.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an expatriate Northern Irish woman living in England, I was eager to read Leo Varadkar's memoir, Speaking My Mind, which covers his turbulent time as Ireland's Prime Minister (Taoiseach) and Deputy Prime Minister (Tánaiste). His tenure was marked by rapid social change—including key constitutional referendums—and major global crises like Brexit, the Pandemic, and the war in Ukraine.

The book offers a fascinating, candid listen. Varadkar is honest in his reflections, noting that the biggest embarrassments often came from minor slip-ups, not major policy decisions. He cites the 2020 Phoenix Park 'picnic' controversy as an example, admitting: "I still don’t think I broke any rules, but I did break the spirit of the guidance, and I regret it. When you’re asking people to sacrifice so much, you have to be above reproach."

As a medical doctor leading during the Pandemic, his background brought a unique lens to the crisis, earning him national respect. The memoir also sheds light on the nuanced differences between the traditional political rivals, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, and the shifting landscape with the rise of Sinn Féin.


Overall, this memoir provides an insightful look into the complex machinery of government and the personal cost of high office, showing how Ireland has emerged as a small country 'punching above its weight' on the international stage. A very strong read, but not quite a perfect one (4/5 stars), recommended for anyone interested in modern Irish politics.

[Ultan · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of the worst Taoiseachs Ireland has ever had, I could only muster listening to one or two chapters of the audiobook before giving up on it as it's very obvious this book is going to be just Leo stroking his ego and blaming everyone else for his failings. From listening to the introduction chapters Leo has lived an extremely easy and privileged life something he seems to completely forget about when convenient to him. The majority of the country suffered through his policies and he contributed very little as Taoiseach as did his cancerous party. I still remember Leo flip-flopping around every single topic he touched and then changed to the majority opinion, Leo has no morals whatsoever. No amount of fake 4 star reviews can redeem this book and it is definitely not worth the 25 Euro price tag. I would encourage readers not to waste their time with the inane babbling of polarising former Taoiseach Varadkar.

[nalini singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a naturalized Irish citizen of indian origin, Leo is very special to me in terms of representation. so I had to get my hands (ears!) on this one. it didn't disappoint!
It's not one of those deep revealing memoirs, but still very very enjoyable and informative! loved listening to the inner workings of the Irish govt and political parties, Leo's ambitious youth, anecdotes about the global political celebrities he got to meet over his long eventful career who he went to meet in a budget jet (with a bathroom that was also the coat rack) owned by the govt 😂
I wish he was more open about personal stories and his personal goals beyond just a few anecdotes about Matt and his parents. I definitely ended the book wanting more, that's why the 4 stars, but I am grateful for it, nonetheless.
I got a lot from it despite not growing up in Ireland. I came out knowing so much more about the country's recent history and economy!

[Annemarie O'Donovan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly enjoyable read. I’m not an FG supporter but I’ve never minded Leo too much. I always thought he got a lot of abuse for nothing real reason.

The book is really well written, he seems very open. I found myself agreeing with most of his points on the important issues we have faced in Ireland in the last decade plus.

I enjoyed the behind the scenes look at how decisions are made, roles decided and how lines are blurred between work & personal life, quite unfairly I think.

It’s an honest read. I hope he’s happy now he has left it behind but something tells me we haven’t seen the last of him

[Enda Hackett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Publish a book quickly before people forget you! Leo divided opinion during his time as a politician. And I am sure if you ask anyone outside Dublin and even Leo's echo chamber their views would not be very flattering. Alas, the book is interesting in places and worth reading for those with an interest in very recent Irish plotixtical history.

[Shane Colton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting autobiography. It was easy to follow and not too politics heavy. So much has gone on in this country in the last 7 or 8 years it was a mad time. i particularly enjoyed the parts of the book covering the politics within politics, the things like who backs who and who would lift the phone to ring John before they speak to Mary type of things.

[Sarah O Dwyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. An inspiring read! It gives a really good behind the scenes peep at Irish politics - I liked how open LV was about connections, how decisions were made, and how he felt about other public figures. For me it was a page turner.

[Suzi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly don't bother, there are better books. Expensive hardback but little of substance. I found the gossipy tone grating and not befitting a leader.

[Julie Whelan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful, honest and interesting

[Leigh Marsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this actually quite insightful and humanising.

[Emily Farrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can’t say I agree with his politics, and it’s definitely a biased view of history; but an interesting account all the same.

[Liam Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very detailed in some areas but bizarrely sparse in some crucial others. Skimmed over quite a lot of his tenure and leaves the reader to fill in the gaps themselves

[Adam Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good read covering an eventful time in Irish and European politics. Leo Varadkar gets the right balance of covering his career and personal life.