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For the Record
The memoir of former Prime Minister David Cameron.
David Cameron was elected Conservative leader in 2005, promising to modernise the party following its three successive electoral defeats. He became Prime Minister in 2010, forming Britain’s first coalition government in 70 years, at a moment of economic crisis, and went on to win the first outright Conservative majority for 23 years at the 2015 general election.
In For the Record, Cameron explains how the governments he led transformed the UK economy while implementing a modern, compassionate agenda that included reforming education and welfare, legalising gay marriage, honouring the UK’s commitment to overseas aid and spearheading environmental policies. He will shed light on the seminal world events of his premiership – the Arab Spring; the rise of ISIS; the invasion of Ukraine; the conflicts in Libya, Iraq and Syria – as well as events at home, from the Olympic Games in 2012 to the Scottish referendum.
He will also provide, for the first time, his perspective on the EU referendum and his views on the future of Britain’s place in the world in the light of Brexit.
Revealing the battles and achievements of his life and career in intimate and frank detail, For the Record will be an important assessment of the significant political events of the last decade, the nature of power and the role of leadership at a time of profound global change.
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First published September 19, 2019
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About the author
David Cameron
9 books25 followersDavid Cameron is a British politician who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2010 to 2016 and Leader of the Conservative Party from 2005 to 2016.
(source: Amazon)
(source: Amazon)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
May 16, 2024
As I write this, it’s a little over three years since Cameron resigned as the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister. Having led the campaign to remain in the European Union, indeed having been responsible for allowing a referendum on the issue in the first place, it was always going to end in tears for him personally if the vote was lost. I’ve always thought him a decent man and really wanted to know more of his story. Also, as it’s the way of most political memoirs to dish the dirt somewhat, I wanted to know what he really thought of the people around him during this pivotal period.
I knew of his posh boy image, but I hadn’t quite realised quite how privileged a childhood he’d had. Old money, boarding school at aged 7, Eton College and Oxford University – well, it doesn’t get much more establishment than that! Throw in links to the Royal Family, and here you have someone who’s been given every opportunity to succeed. And very soon, armed with a first-class honours degree (Philosophy, Politics and Economics), he was on his way.
There’s a little bit here on his upbringing, education, and early career steps, but the majority of the text centres on his time as leader of the Conservative Party and his six years as PM. The tenor of the book is largely formal and factual, and there’s sadly very little time for gossip or name calling. In fact, it all sometimes feels uncomfortably like a presentation or a speech. There are, though, a few occasions where a sense of humour shyly shows its head – I listened to an audio version read by Cameron himself and his gift for mimicry and grasp of regional accents really surprised me. There was, too, a section on the death of his young son, which was truly, heartbreakingly sad.
I’d expected his account of his years ‘in power’ to be largely self justifying and, to a significant extent that’s exactly what I found. He provides lengthy pronouncements on problems he inherited from a Labour government and protracted explanations of the actions he took in an effort to redress these issues. Where any doubt exists as to whether a decision he took or action he sanctioned was, in fact, beneficial for the nation he breaks down his thought process in some detail, listing why he chose a particular course of action and what other other options he considered. I confess that these sections tended to feel clunky and somewhat tedious.
Though he does point out instances where he feels he erred during his time in office, he certainly details what he considers to be his major achievements exhaustively. He also makes it clear who he thinks is principally responsible for these achievements – the words I ordered, I said and I did crop up continually. He confesses that he’s a ‘head under the car bonnet’ kind of guy, and he definitely doesn’t scrimp on the detail. In fact, one point that was driven home to me was just how much detailed knowledge a PM is required to absorb on such a huge range of issues - it really does seem truly mind-blowing and it's clearly not a job for anyone who values seven or eight hours sleep every night.
This is a large book, over seven hundred pages or thirty hours of audio, and a basic knowledge of macroeconomics is useful if you are to fully understand some of Cameron’s more detailed points. But on the whole, this is an easy to follow and highly interesting account of a key time in the UK's history. I know it’s just one man’s view of what happened through this period, but it’s an intriguing perspective all the same.
I knew of his posh boy image, but I hadn’t quite realised quite how privileged a childhood he’d had. Old money, boarding school at aged 7, Eton College and Oxford University – well, it doesn’t get much more establishment than that! Throw in links to the Royal Family, and here you have someone who’s been given every opportunity to succeed. And very soon, armed with a first-class honours degree (Philosophy, Politics and Economics), he was on his way.
There’s a little bit here on his upbringing, education, and early career steps, but the majority of the text centres on his time as leader of the Conservative Party and his six years as PM. The tenor of the book is largely formal and factual, and there’s sadly very little time for gossip or name calling. In fact, it all sometimes feels uncomfortably like a presentation or a speech. There are, though, a few occasions where a sense of humour shyly shows its head – I listened to an audio version read by Cameron himself and his gift for mimicry and grasp of regional accents really surprised me. There was, too, a section on the death of his young son, which was truly, heartbreakingly sad.
I’d expected his account of his years ‘in power’ to be largely self justifying and, to a significant extent that’s exactly what I found. He provides lengthy pronouncements on problems he inherited from a Labour government and protracted explanations of the actions he took in an effort to redress these issues. Where any doubt exists as to whether a decision he took or action he sanctioned was, in fact, beneficial for the nation he breaks down his thought process in some detail, listing why he chose a particular course of action and what other other options he considered. I confess that these sections tended to feel clunky and somewhat tedious.
Though he does point out instances where he feels he erred during his time in office, he certainly details what he considers to be his major achievements exhaustively. He also makes it clear who he thinks is principally responsible for these achievements – the words I ordered, I said and I did crop up continually. He confesses that he’s a ‘head under the car bonnet’ kind of guy, and he definitely doesn’t scrimp on the detail. In fact, one point that was driven home to me was just how much detailed knowledge a PM is required to absorb on such a huge range of issues - it really does seem truly mind-blowing and it's clearly not a job for anyone who values seven or eight hours sleep every night.
This is a large book, over seven hundred pages or thirty hours of audio, and a basic knowledge of macroeconomics is useful if you are to fully understand some of Cameron’s more detailed points. But on the whole, this is an easy to follow and highly interesting account of a key time in the UK's history. I know it’s just one man’s view of what happened through this period, but it’s an intriguing perspective all the same.
January 17, 2020
It doesn't look like Brexit's role in British politics is going to diminish anytime soon, and so I thought this was an important book to read. There definitely isn't as much on the referendum as I would have liked, but I enjoyed getting an insight into the daily workings of Downing Street and I learnt a lot about the political situation pre-2014 (I didn't start reading the news every day until Year 10) and the duties of the Prime Minister.
It's pretty long and slow-paced in places, but I would recommend it if you're interested in British Politics.
It's pretty long and slow-paced in places, but I would recommend it if you're interested in British Politics.
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did-not-finish
October 1, 2019So, I'm reading this book right now...
I suspect it'll be incredibly difficult to rate Cameron's poorly-titled memoirs. It's very long and certainly has a fair amount of detail, with a few glancing anecdotes that made me smile (e.g. 'If Davis doesn't like what I'm doing, I'm on the right track').
On the other hand... I'm only a few pages in, yet Cameron comes across, by any objective measure, as blinkered, ideological, and arrogant. He's not above taking cheap shots at the other political parties; you could argue that this is a political memoir and so of course it would be full of potshots at Brown and Clegg, but many of them felt unnecessary and over-the-top. At times it felt like I was reading an election manifesto for 2010/2015 all over again. There was no sense of confession or honesty.
His party was been absolutely destroying itself over the last three years - you don't need to have, as another reviewer phrased it, a 'socialist chip on your shoulder' to see that the Tories are in a bad place right now, and I'd prefer to see Cameron take a little more responsibility rather than the unending staggering overconfidence I'm being subjected to.
[Blog] - [Bookstagram]
I suspect it'll be incredibly difficult to rate Cameron's poorly-titled memoirs. It's very long and certainly has a fair amount of detail, with a few glancing anecdotes that made me smile (e.g. 'If Davis doesn't like what I'm doing, I'm on the right track').
On the other hand... I'm only a few pages in, yet Cameron comes across, by any objective measure, as blinkered, ideological, and arrogant. He's not above taking cheap shots at the other political parties; you could argue that this is a political memoir and so of course it would be full of potshots at Brown and Clegg, but many of them felt unnecessary and over-the-top. At times it felt like I was reading an election manifesto for 2010/2015 all over again. There was no sense of confession or honesty.
His party was been absolutely destroying itself over the last three years - you don't need to have, as another reviewer phrased it, a 'socialist chip on your shoulder' to see that the Tories are in a bad place right now, and I'd prefer to see Cameron take a little more responsibility rather than the unending staggering overconfidence I'm being subjected to.
[Blog] - [Bookstagram]
February 6, 2020
Better than I was expecting is really the only way I can sum up this book. Like a classic politician, Cameron manages to go on for a few hundred pages longer than needed, and does try to defend his motivations behind many controversial decisions, but overall does succeed in presenting an emotional coverage of his time at No. 10.
On a side note, the thing which I found strangest was the fact that he referred to all these famous politicians, such as George Osborne and Lord Hague as “George” and “William”...
On a side note, the thing which I found strangest was the fact that he referred to all these famous politicians, such as George Osborne and Lord Hague as “George” and “William”...
December 23, 2020
For the Record is Cameron's attempt to salvage his legacy after his failure to keep Britain in the EU. He defends his track record in a number of areas before discussing the reasons for calling the referendum and dissecting the (doomed) Remain campaign.
I am biased, because I have always been pro-Cameron, so take this review with a pinch of salt. Still, I do think Cameron's work in government deserves more praise, and his decision to hold the referendum less scorn, that it gets.
Start with his successes: it is undeniable that Cameron's government propped up the economy. Indeed, the UK performed much better following the recession that almost any other country in Europe. Though it is common for detractors to argue that the economic recovery is a mirage, the record-breaking employment rate supported by exploitative contracts, and the GDP growth disguising rising inequality, the facts do not bear out this interpretation: according to the ONS, inequality indicators such as the Gini coefficient and the P90/P10 ratio (a proportion of the average income of someone at the top 10% to that of someone at the bottom 10%) are slightly down from 2010. As for jobs, the fact that so many immigrants like myself have come to work in the UK is testament to the strength of the economy (and is, ironically, almost certainly one of the factors that led to Brexit).
Cameron lists several other areas in which his government did well - the protection and even slight increase of the NHS budget, the opening of schools, foreign policy, inclusivity (under Cameron, the Tories drastically increased the number of women and minority MPs - though still significantly behind Labour), and (according to Cameron at least - I have not looked into this) establishing his government as the most energy-efficient government in British history.
But of course all this is overshadowed by Brexit. Even those who begrudgingly agree that Cameron did prop up the economy point out that Brexit is likely to undo all his work and plunge the UK into another recession. So what does he have to say about it?
First, he makes a few defensive points, which are, however, fair enough: a) people who lay the referendum squarely on this shoulders should remember that MPs voted to hold one; b) his predecessors had promised a referendum before major EU treaties, but failed to honour that promise with Lisbon; c) two very common criticisms, often made by the very same people, are actually contradictory: the first is that Cameron only held the referendum to appease his own MPs, and the second that the UK has parliamentary representation, not direct democracy, and so such monumental decisions should be left to MPs, not to citizens. But as Cameron points out, it does not make sense to argue that on one hand he should leave this matter to MPs, but on the other that he should not have worked to accommodate the elected representatives of his own party; and d) that the claim he only held the referendum to protect the Tories against UKIP is untrue, since he had mentioned a referendum in speeches way before UKIP became a threat.
More substantively, Cameron tries to lay out his own nuanced view of the EU. He believes the EU is set up to fail (which it did come close to doing with Greece - and only avoided doing so by forcing an elected PM to capitulate to its demands, thus, arguably, giving up sovereignty): the EU is a monetary union without a common fiscal policy. This makes it very hard for member states to respond to economic instability. Furthermore, the EU has open boarders internally, without having succeeded in enforcing strong outside boarders, which causes tensions, especially at times when there is a drastic increase in the number of illegal immigrants. Finally, the EU is steadily increasing its centralised powers, with little accountability; indeed, any single country's MEPs have little control over legislation, and can always be outvoted by the MEPs of the other member states.
All these points, which I believe are valid, made Cameron a Eurosceptic long before the referendum. He believes that the UK needed to redefine its relationship with the Union, and failing that, that it might be better outside it. So arguing that the referendum was only an exercise in party politics is unfair: according to Cameron things were bound to come to head anyway - and better to hold a referendum, try and renegotiate with the EU and campaign to stay in a reformed Union under his leadership, than kick the can down the road, when a referendum and Brexit might be pursued by a government actively campaigning for it.
To me this reasoning makes sense. I blame Cameron not for holding the referendum, but for running an unconvincing campaign. To his credit, he does acknowledge his mistakes: he raised high expectations for his renegotiation, failed to explain the agreement he got from the EU, and did little to combat the lies spread by the Leave campaign. To those I would add focusing too much on the downsides of leaving the EU, rather than touting the positives - the UK's leadership role in it, its ability to influence regulations rather than being forced to comply to them without having a say in them (which it will most probably have to do to trade) etc. Sadly, the "Cameron single-handedly caused Brexit" narrative is much simpler and easier to sell - and is therefore likely to be written down as fact in the coming years and decades.
Regarding style, the book is reasonably well-written, and the passages regarding Cameron's son Ivan were truly moving. I am withholding one star because the book could definitely have been shorter.
I am biased, because I have always been pro-Cameron, so take this review with a pinch of salt. Still, I do think Cameron's work in government deserves more praise, and his decision to hold the referendum less scorn, that it gets.
Start with his successes: it is undeniable that Cameron's government propped up the economy. Indeed, the UK performed much better following the recession that almost any other country in Europe. Though it is common for detractors to argue that the economic recovery is a mirage, the record-breaking employment rate supported by exploitative contracts, and the GDP growth disguising rising inequality, the facts do not bear out this interpretation: according to the ONS, inequality indicators such as the Gini coefficient and the P90/P10 ratio (a proportion of the average income of someone at the top 10% to that of someone at the bottom 10%) are slightly down from 2010. As for jobs, the fact that so many immigrants like myself have come to work in the UK is testament to the strength of the economy (and is, ironically, almost certainly one of the factors that led to Brexit).
Cameron lists several other areas in which his government did well - the protection and even slight increase of the NHS budget, the opening of schools, foreign policy, inclusivity (under Cameron, the Tories drastically increased the number of women and minority MPs - though still significantly behind Labour), and (according to Cameron at least - I have not looked into this) establishing his government as the most energy-efficient government in British history.
But of course all this is overshadowed by Brexit. Even those who begrudgingly agree that Cameron did prop up the economy point out that Brexit is likely to undo all his work and plunge the UK into another recession. So what does he have to say about it?
First, he makes a few defensive points, which are, however, fair enough: a) people who lay the referendum squarely on this shoulders should remember that MPs voted to hold one; b) his predecessors had promised a referendum before major EU treaties, but failed to honour that promise with Lisbon; c) two very common criticisms, often made by the very same people, are actually contradictory: the first is that Cameron only held the referendum to appease his own MPs, and the second that the UK has parliamentary representation, not direct democracy, and so such monumental decisions should be left to MPs, not to citizens. But as Cameron points out, it does not make sense to argue that on one hand he should leave this matter to MPs, but on the other that he should not have worked to accommodate the elected representatives of his own party; and d) that the claim he only held the referendum to protect the Tories against UKIP is untrue, since he had mentioned a referendum in speeches way before UKIP became a threat.
More substantively, Cameron tries to lay out his own nuanced view of the EU. He believes the EU is set up to fail (which it did come close to doing with Greece - and only avoided doing so by forcing an elected PM to capitulate to its demands, thus, arguably, giving up sovereignty): the EU is a monetary union without a common fiscal policy. This makes it very hard for member states to respond to economic instability. Furthermore, the EU has open boarders internally, without having succeeded in enforcing strong outside boarders, which causes tensions, especially at times when there is a drastic increase in the number of illegal immigrants. Finally, the EU is steadily increasing its centralised powers, with little accountability; indeed, any single country's MEPs have little control over legislation, and can always be outvoted by the MEPs of the other member states.
All these points, which I believe are valid, made Cameron a Eurosceptic long before the referendum. He believes that the UK needed to redefine its relationship with the Union, and failing that, that it might be better outside it. So arguing that the referendum was only an exercise in party politics is unfair: according to Cameron things were bound to come to head anyway - and better to hold a referendum, try and renegotiate with the EU and campaign to stay in a reformed Union under his leadership, than kick the can down the road, when a referendum and Brexit might be pursued by a government actively campaigning for it.
To me this reasoning makes sense. I blame Cameron not for holding the referendum, but for running an unconvincing campaign. To his credit, he does acknowledge his mistakes: he raised high expectations for his renegotiation, failed to explain the agreement he got from the EU, and did little to combat the lies spread by the Leave campaign. To those I would add focusing too much on the downsides of leaving the EU, rather than touting the positives - the UK's leadership role in it, its ability to influence regulations rather than being forced to comply to them without having a say in them (which it will most probably have to do to trade) etc. Sadly, the "Cameron single-handedly caused Brexit" narrative is much simpler and easier to sell - and is therefore likely to be written down as fact in the coming years and decades.
Regarding style, the book is reasonably well-written, and the passages regarding Cameron's son Ivan were truly moving. I am withholding one star because the book could definitely have been shorter.
October 20, 2019
DNF at 50 %
Cameron I assume wrote this book in order for people to like him and better understand his views and motives. Unfortunately, he just comes off as an arrogant asshole. (And that's coming from a non-British person who didn't really have a clear image of him prior to picking up this book.)
It's poorly written, in that way that it's trying to be artsy and beautiful without succeeding, and it's uninteresting since basically everything he writes reads like a cliche´. There are some anecdotes in there to show what a cool guy he is. There are some visions of a utopian and equal society to show what a fair och good natured politician he is. Even when he talks about his son passing away it is with an uncomfortable feeling that is it carefully edited to show what a vulnerable guy he is.
I want to read memoirs to get an insight into someones life, of their struggles and challenges, and what made them fall in love and what made them change their minds, and what made them grow and all that. Here, it seems like political recap, personal milestones and entertaining anecdotes are neatly laid out as to show what a great guy he is, like it was all written about his brand rather than his person. But then of course, I guess it is.
So, all in all, it was quite boring, in that nothing-is-really-said-kind-of-way. I didn't make it through the whole thing.
Cameron I assume wrote this book in order for people to like him and better understand his views and motives. Unfortunately, he just comes off as an arrogant asshole. (And that's coming from a non-British person who didn't really have a clear image of him prior to picking up this book.)
It's poorly written, in that way that it's trying to be artsy and beautiful without succeeding, and it's uninteresting since basically everything he writes reads like a cliche´. There are some anecdotes in there to show what a cool guy he is. There are some visions of a utopian and equal society to show what a fair och good natured politician he is. Even when he talks about his son passing away it is with an uncomfortable feeling that is it carefully edited to show what a vulnerable guy he is.
I want to read memoirs to get an insight into someones life, of their struggles and challenges, and what made them fall in love and what made them change their minds, and what made them grow and all that. Here, it seems like political recap, personal milestones and entertaining anecdotes are neatly laid out as to show what a great guy he is, like it was all written about his brand rather than his person. But then of course, I guess it is.
So, all in all, it was quite boring, in that nothing-is-really-said-kind-of-way. I didn't make it through the whole thing.
March 22, 2020
felt this book didn't go far enough and papered over important events or didn't go into much detail
noway-josé
September 14, 2019
Emmy van Deurzen: "The man who broke Britain is unrepentant. Cameron’s book will enrage many, but sell like hot cakes as we desperately try to understand why anyone would risk Britain’s future on a flimsy referendum on a topic that was not urgent in 2015."
So, he announces he is breaking his silence, to which there have been, erm, quips:
Ship of Twats - remastered (now with added twats)
- THIS SUNDAY 15th Sept 2019: In an exclusive extract from his new book, David Cameron opens up about the devastating loss of his son, Ivan
- Liar, Liar Captain SKA
December 25, 2019
Finally completed this monster of a book. All while starting a family, hence the long completion time!
I have seen reviews as little as one star across many platforms/stores. This is a little frustrating. Let's leave our opinion of David Cameron out of it and have the opinion of what has been written...
The book is very detailed in his major decisions as prime minister. His daily operations and major focus points. On many occasions the reading can be very disconcerting, this is more regarding any opportunity to discredit and outline the woeful decision of the labour government, all awhile emphasising the discernable impact his government produced. This somewhat, pretty much, fully justified. Nevertheless, it occurs often and monotonous regularity!
If you do not have knowledge regarding the subject of politics, you will gain deep insight, which is always worth the read. Along with the pressure of such high stakes of someone leading a country.
Overall, for me, I enjoyed the book and was always excited to be reading on, wanting to find out what's next.
I have seen reviews as little as one star across many platforms/stores. This is a little frustrating. Let's leave our opinion of David Cameron out of it and have the opinion of what has been written...
The book is very detailed in his major decisions as prime minister. His daily operations and major focus points. On many occasions the reading can be very disconcerting, this is more regarding any opportunity to discredit and outline the woeful decision of the labour government, all awhile emphasising the discernable impact his government produced. This somewhat, pretty much, fully justified. Nevertheless, it occurs often and monotonous regularity!
If you do not have knowledge regarding the subject of politics, you will gain deep insight, which is always worth the read. Along with the pressure of such high stakes of someone leading a country.
Overall, for me, I enjoyed the book and was always excited to be reading on, wanting to find out what's next.
November 30, 2019
Reading this reminded me of one of the reasons that I’m so glad that public libraries exist - it’s the definition of something that I thought would be interesting, but would never want to buy. The most interesting parts of the book are actually about party management and how Cameron modernised the Conservative party post-2005, and how many battles he needed to fight with it in office. I started skipping through more of the chapters on his Premiership itself, which - presumably unintentionally - spend far more time justifying things that went wrong or where he took risks that seemed like to backfire. For anyone reading it cold, the abiding impression is probably one of somebody who spent a lot more energy thinking about how to manage his party than run the country, which is probably a fair summary.
October 2, 2019
A good overall political memoir.
I do believe the book is an honest account of some of the major decisions he made during his life. It's written well, and flows easily.
Personally, I would have preferred much more about his early life, school, and university. I also would have liked to read more anecdotes and 'behind the scenes' commentary.
Would recommend to anyone who follows politics.
I do believe the book is an honest account of some of the major decisions he made during his life. It's written well, and flows easily.
Personally, I would have preferred much more about his early life, school, and university. I also would have liked to read more anecdotes and 'behind the scenes' commentary.
Would recommend to anyone who follows politics.
February 22, 2021
It's sufficient to say that myself from the past would be shocked, outraged even, that I own, read, let alone (for the most part) enjoyed, a book written by a Tory. In fact, Former PM David Cameron's memoir is most-likely the first book I've ever read authored by someone who's political leanings I don't share. I think that's a reflection of the echo chamber we like to keep ourselves in, as we tend to read and consume media within the parameters of our ideological comfort zones. The surprised (and a few scorning) looks that I've been on the receiving end of whenever it's come into conversation what I was currently reading has been a confirmation of this. Throughout reading I noticed that unlike with the other political books I've read, I didn't spend the whole time nodding in agreement. Instead, it was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster; from astonishment, as I agreed with him on many points or at least found his point of view persuasive; to infuriation, scoffs, eye-rolls and and even laughable moments of disagreement or disapproval with his perspective on things, or frankly, his poshness and exceedingly privileged (Eton, Oxford) background. It's definitely taught me that it's important to know and understand your "enemies" i.e. your political opposition. I think that's quite an important concession to make during a time when society is increasingly polarised and politically tribalistic. There's always something to be learnt from others, especially those whom we might not usually take the time to understand.
From reading Cameron's memoir, I have to admit I've gained a greater respect and maybe even fondness for him, especially learning of his son Ivan, which was utterly heartbreaking and something which I never knew about at the time. Knowing the route British politics has taken since he resigned and the shambolic record of Cameron's successors in 10 Downing Street, dare I say this book even made me nostalgic for his premiership. My angry political-coming of age, teenage self was so blissfully unaware of how much worse it was going to get from there on out. Looking back, he really wasn't all that bad. Whatever your views, his pragmatic and stable leadership is at least preferable to what we have been lumped with now, in my opinion anyway.
It's a long-winded read, but it is a thorough run through of his life and political career. It's a patriotic, optimistic and even rose-tinted account. It reads surprisingly more like a manifesto than I was expecting from a retired politician. Obviously Cameron could not resist making some cheap shots to easy and predictable targets - Labour, Ed Miliband, the EU, UKIP, SNP, the Lib Dems, Nick Clegg, Jeremy Corbyn, Boris Johnson, etc (some of those were justified, in fairness). On the other hand, it also reads quite like a love letter to George Osborne.
The many detailed chapters on and discussion of Europe and the Referendum, which encapsulate Cameron's lasting legacy on British politics, are the true climax or "juicy bits" of his memoir. Perhaps unsurprisingly, since the book is literally titled "For the Record", the overall tone of the book very much feels like Cameron justifying every single decision he ever made in office, right up until the bitter end. Any rare admission of a mistake (including his strategy over the EU referendum) comes with a “but” and an explanation.
Overall, though, I think it’s good to hear people out, even those you might not see eye-to-eye with, and I do think he’ll be remembered as one of the better, more capable Prime Ministers, one who oversaw important landmarks in our country’s history, such as equality of marriage.
From reading Cameron's memoir, I have to admit I've gained a greater respect and maybe even fondness for him, especially learning of his son Ivan, which was utterly heartbreaking and something which I never knew about at the time. Knowing the route British politics has taken since he resigned and the shambolic record of Cameron's successors in 10 Downing Street, dare I say this book even made me nostalgic for his premiership. My angry political-coming of age, teenage self was so blissfully unaware of how much worse it was going to get from there on out. Looking back, he really wasn't all that bad. Whatever your views, his pragmatic and stable leadership is at least preferable to what we have been lumped with now, in my opinion anyway.
It's a long-winded read, but it is a thorough run through of his life and political career. It's a patriotic, optimistic and even rose-tinted account. It reads surprisingly more like a manifesto than I was expecting from a retired politician. Obviously Cameron could not resist making some cheap shots to easy and predictable targets - Labour, Ed Miliband, the EU, UKIP, SNP, the Lib Dems, Nick Clegg, Jeremy Corbyn, Boris Johnson, etc (some of those were justified, in fairness). On the other hand, it also reads quite like a love letter to George Osborne.
The many detailed chapters on and discussion of Europe and the Referendum, which encapsulate Cameron's lasting legacy on British politics, are the true climax or "juicy bits" of his memoir. Perhaps unsurprisingly, since the book is literally titled "For the Record", the overall tone of the book very much feels like Cameron justifying every single decision he ever made in office, right up until the bitter end. Any rare admission of a mistake (including his strategy over the EU referendum) comes with a “but” and an explanation.
Overall, though, I think it’s good to hear people out, even those you might not see eye-to-eye with, and I do think he’ll be remembered as one of the better, more capable Prime Ministers, one who oversaw important landmarks in our country’s history, such as equality of marriage.
September 5, 2022
6.7/10.
A month ago my parents bought a shed to store our garden table and chairs over the winter. It cost them £350 from B&Q and is made of plastic. I helped put it up, and then helped to weigh it down with paving stones, fit sealant to the roof and dig a trench around it, in my dad's efforts to make it remotely weatherproof. This is the sort of thing David Cameron has never had to do.
***
Cameron's memoirs reveal him to have been an intelligent, thoughtful prime minister with a steadfast ideology he was always transparent about - that much is true, and he should be recognised for it. The first half describes the time before he became PM, and is well written, personal and interesting. He presents himself as a decent guy wanting to lead his country for the right reasons. Maybe if he had been a politician at any time other than in the wake of the 2008 crash, his legacy would have been more than austerity and Brexit.
***
The second half, however, undermines his decent start. Examining policy areas one by one, Cameron justifies his approaches, occasionally letting slip that (for example) certain cuts were made because they were politically convenient, or certain cuts weren't made because they would have been politically inconvenient. Everything is framed in economic terms first, and social terms second. Sure, he left the economy in a better state than he found it - he will be the first to tell you that. But the hardship it caused and the wealth inequality it led to are not referenced. Maybe he genuinely doesn't realise.
***
Frustratingly, he is constantly on the defensive - it doesn't make for engaging reading and becomes slightly incredulous. He admits to two types of mistakes - trivial political matters such as keeping Iain Duncan-Smith in his cabinet following the 2015 election, and his campaigning tactics in the EU referendum, although even then the result is framed as 'leave won, remain didn't lose.' A justification of the spectacular crash and burn his campaign suffered would have been too far, even for him. His writing style here can best be described as 'average' - It's concise, but repetitive.
***
Overall, this is worth reading because it details important events in Britain's recent political history, but don't expect to be entertained in the way some political biographies do - Obama's 'The Promised Land', for example. Given his shed cost £25,000 has a metal roof and is on stilts, I would have hoped for better.
A month ago my parents bought a shed to store our garden table and chairs over the winter. It cost them £350 from B&Q and is made of plastic. I helped put it up, and then helped to weigh it down with paving stones, fit sealant to the roof and dig a trench around it, in my dad's efforts to make it remotely weatherproof. This is the sort of thing David Cameron has never had to do.
***
Cameron's memoirs reveal him to have been an intelligent, thoughtful prime minister with a steadfast ideology he was always transparent about - that much is true, and he should be recognised for it. The first half describes the time before he became PM, and is well written, personal and interesting. He presents himself as a decent guy wanting to lead his country for the right reasons. Maybe if he had been a politician at any time other than in the wake of the 2008 crash, his legacy would have been more than austerity and Brexit.
***
The second half, however, undermines his decent start. Examining policy areas one by one, Cameron justifies his approaches, occasionally letting slip that (for example) certain cuts were made because they were politically convenient, or certain cuts weren't made because they would have been politically inconvenient. Everything is framed in economic terms first, and social terms second. Sure, he left the economy in a better state than he found it - he will be the first to tell you that. But the hardship it caused and the wealth inequality it led to are not referenced. Maybe he genuinely doesn't realise.
***
Frustratingly, he is constantly on the defensive - it doesn't make for engaging reading and becomes slightly incredulous. He admits to two types of mistakes - trivial political matters such as keeping Iain Duncan-Smith in his cabinet following the 2015 election, and his campaigning tactics in the EU referendum, although even then the result is framed as 'leave won, remain didn't lose.' A justification of the spectacular crash and burn his campaign suffered would have been too far, even for him. His writing style here can best be described as 'average' - It's concise, but repetitive.
***
Overall, this is worth reading because it details important events in Britain's recent political history, but don't expect to be entertained in the way some political biographies do - Obama's 'The Promised Land', for example. Given his shed cost £25,000 has a metal roof and is on stilts, I would have hoped for better.
September 26, 2019
Some day all political memoirs will be like this
This is a stunning account of the Cameron years, written by Cameron. It's beautifully written, sincere, serious, researched, factual, and sometimes funny. I have never read a political autobiography as good as this. I wept with him on the death of his son Ivan. My heart was in my mouth with him as bloody events unfolded in Libya, Syria, and Iraq. And although we all know what happened in 2016, I was in the edge of my seat with him as England (not Britain) voted to leave the EU. Yes, he "sets the record straight" on this and other matters, and he doesn't take me with him in everything, but why should he? I thank him for this book.
This is a stunning account of the Cameron years, written by Cameron. It's beautifully written, sincere, serious, researched, factual, and sometimes funny. I have never read a political autobiography as good as this. I wept with him on the death of his son Ivan. My heart was in my mouth with him as bloody events unfolded in Libya, Syria, and Iraq. And although we all know what happened in 2016, I was in the edge of my seat with him as England (not Britain) voted to leave the EU. Yes, he "sets the record straight" on this and other matters, and he doesn't take me with him in everything, but why should he? I thank him for this book.
October 28, 2019
I'm not sure if this is just as bad as I suspect the average political autobiography by a national leader is, or worse, but can certainly imagine it being the latter. A very superficial book that seems to edge close to revealing some interesting discussions and insights, but always veers off to the next self-serving justification for this policy or that.
It's clearly written with an 'average' person in mind, so if you did follow UK politics closely over Cameron's time in government, it's rather tedious to read through the contextual detail. Especially when so little additional inside information is divulged.
It's clearly written with an 'average' person in mind, so if you did follow UK politics closely over Cameron's time in government, it's rather tedious to read through the contextual detail. Especially when so little additional inside information is divulged.
April 10, 2024
I’d give this 4.5 if I could. Very similar to obamas book that I also liked. Would have wanted more about his failures and clear mistakes at times can feel very self praising but great insight to British politics.
November 25, 2019
I feel so nostalgic for the middle ground of politics that Cameron writes about. In this age of lunatic populism from left and right, this book reminds one of what a force for good a moderate government can be, whether Conservative or Labour. While not agreeing with everything he writes, it's an interesting and pretty honest view of the period that Cameron led the Tories. Not too much self-justification, more about explaining why he did what he did. Perhaps in the end, there was a tragic inevitability to what happened, and he chanced to be the Prime Minister while it all took place.
A reminder of the kind of politicians who are now only too rare.
A reminder of the kind of politicians who are now only too rare.
October 21, 2020
3.5/5
Interesting book on a tumultuous time in British politics. Not focused merely on the referendum but on all of Cameron’s years in politics. Nevertheless, you come to better understand the motivation for changing the relationship with the EU. Obviously, Cameron wants to defend his legacy. But you also feel how losing the Brexit referendum has and will continue to bother him for the rest of his life.
Brexit will be the shadow over his legacy and he tries to shed some light on it. Time will only tell and judge the Cameron legacy accordingly.
Interesting book on a tumultuous time in British politics. Not focused merely on the referendum but on all of Cameron’s years in politics. Nevertheless, you come to better understand the motivation for changing the relationship with the EU. Obviously, Cameron wants to defend his legacy. But you also feel how losing the Brexit referendum has and will continue to bother him for the rest of his life.
Brexit will be the shadow over his legacy and he tries to shed some light on it. Time will only tell and judge the Cameron legacy accordingly.
Read
August 11, 2023This felt surprisingly more wholesome than I was expecting for a political memoir. Maybe it's because he did the audiobook too and his voice is calming. This is really useful for those such as myself who were unfamiliar with the early years of the Cameron premiership, as the Scotland and Brexit votes tend to take up way more space in most people's heads. He walks us through his early years as a Tory staffer for Thatcher before taking the party by storm. Lots of names you probably heard at one point if you've ever followed UK politics, lots of reshuffles, lots of little jabs at Boris, whom he portrays as opportunistic and shifty. I was excited for him to devote so much time to the whole Big Society agenda, which can be a bit confusing, but definitely helpful to understanding later policy decisions. I was a bit surprised with the way he defended his takes on Libya and Afghanistan, as neither of those stances aged particularly well and he had an opportunity to reflect a bit. He admits policy mistakes in other areas but comes off as needlessly stubborn here. All the while, Brexit lumbers in the background. Indeed, it's hard to even tell the story of his tenure without constantly thinking about it, and the narrative is punctuated with meetings with Merkel and various euroskeptic Tory backbenchers. He actually did quite a compelling job in my opinion of spelling out his personal case for Remain (probably better in the book than in the real campaign), as he had previously achieved breakthroughs in the UK-EU relationship. Yet his coverage of EU bureaucrats almost feels like Yanis Varoufakis's at times-- a rather vindictive set of Brussels cronies intent on getting around democracy in any way they can to increase their own power, consequences be damned. As we move inexorably toward the Independence referendum it becomes hard not to see Cameron as a sort of tragic hero in his own terms, coasting on a major electoral and referendum victory only to be undone by Brexit.
November 26, 2019
A frank, phenomenal memoir.
The obligatory retrospectives by political leaders are often self-serving, inaccurate, and yield little in the way of new information. I'm pleased to say that this was the opposite in every respect. Cameron was a titanic figure, party leader at 38, prime minister at 43. In 2015 he won the first Tory majority since 1992 in a shocking upset, standing high atop the world of UK politics. And then it was over in an instant.
Cameron is incredibly self-aware. This reads more like a confession in some places than anything else. He acknowledges his mistakes, is candid about his regrets, and when appropriate fiercely defends many of his controversial decisions.
If you're interested in Cameron, UK politics since the last days of Blair, or the European referendum that toppled a prime minister and upended a nation, read this book. PS - If you're like me, you're always looking for a good book to listen to on audio. This was a superb recording, personally narrated by the author. So if you're deciding whether to read or listen, don't hesitate to do the latter.
The obligatory retrospectives by political leaders are often self-serving, inaccurate, and yield little in the way of new information. I'm pleased to say that this was the opposite in every respect. Cameron was a titanic figure, party leader at 38, prime minister at 43. In 2015 he won the first Tory majority since 1992 in a shocking upset, standing high atop the world of UK politics. And then it was over in an instant.
Cameron is incredibly self-aware. This reads more like a confession in some places than anything else. He acknowledges his mistakes, is candid about his regrets, and when appropriate fiercely defends many of his controversial decisions.
If you're interested in Cameron, UK politics since the last days of Blair, or the European referendum that toppled a prime minister and upended a nation, read this book. PS - If you're like me, you're always looking for a good book to listen to on audio. This was a superb recording, personally narrated by the author. So if you're deciding whether to read or listen, don't hesitate to do the latter.
March 23, 2023
This is more like 3.5 stars because I genuinely really liked this book. First of all, I think the title is great for a memoir, especially given the content. I find brexit so fascinating and so I’ve keen wanting to read this for a while. I listened to it as an audiobook which was definitely the right move.
On to content, I was really struck by how different the British political system is to America. It’s really refreshing to have multiple parties where compromise seems more possible. It made me kind of depressed at times because I knew we could never have that here. At times, the book goes way too in depth on certain political platforms and policies, but also I do really like that stuff. I especially liked all the details on the run up to the Brexit vote. At the end of the day though, while listening to this book gave me more sympathy as to why Cameron called the vote, I’m not sure I ultimately agreed with his premise that a vote was inevitable and to do it on his terms. 2016 was a time of some of the most immense political strife, maybe waiting to see how his negotiations with the EU played out in practice would have been worth pushing the vote.
On to content, I was really struck by how different the British political system is to America. It’s really refreshing to have multiple parties where compromise seems more possible. It made me kind of depressed at times because I knew we could never have that here. At times, the book goes way too in depth on certain political platforms and policies, but also I do really like that stuff. I especially liked all the details on the run up to the Brexit vote. At the end of the day though, while listening to this book gave me more sympathy as to why Cameron called the vote, I’m not sure I ultimately agreed with his premise that a vote was inevitable and to do it on his terms. 2016 was a time of some of the most immense political strife, maybe waiting to see how his negotiations with the EU played out in practice would have been worth pushing the vote.
December 27, 2019
David Cameron does what anyone would expect him to do, explains everything he did and why he did it. He doesn’t excuse everything and admits mistakes, but he makes a point of trying to get the reader to understand why he did and said what he did. I am a fan of this style of writing and how he managed to get the balance between chronological order and a captivating thread of topics etc. Inevitably we are all biased when reading political books, but for me Cameron portrays himself just as I would have hoped 13 years ago when he really helped sway my view on politics. I’ve already mentioned balance, but again I feel this is an important word. A balance between being candid but remaining professional, honest and diplomatic, defensive and self-critical, political operator and human being. A cracking read and well worth it for anybody interested in the last 10/15 years of politics whatever your persuasion.
March 3, 2021
Ursäkta men Cameron skrivit så brittiskt?! Vet inte hur jag ska förklara det men det är i alla fall väldigt underhållande.
Är egentligen inget stort fan av självbiografier men den här var helt ok. Jag hade önskat lite mer struktur, han hoppade i tiden ganska mycket, och mer personliga anekdoter men jag antar att det inte var hans syfte med boken. Kapitlena om brittisk inrikespolitik var ganska tråkiga men det är nog mest för att jag saknar förkunskaper om den, jag känner liksom inte igen namn på högt uppsatta Tories och diverse ministrar från när jag var 9-14 år gammal. Kapitlena om utrikespolitik var däremot ofta väldigt intressanta och bjöd på roliga anekdoter om inte minst Angela Merkel och Berlusconi.
Allt som allt så är det en bra bok och även om den har sina svagheter skulle jag säga att den definitivt är läsvärd om man vill veta mer om Cameron och hans tid som premiärminister.
Är egentligen inget stort fan av självbiografier men den här var helt ok. Jag hade önskat lite mer struktur, han hoppade i tiden ganska mycket, och mer personliga anekdoter men jag antar att det inte var hans syfte med boken. Kapitlena om brittisk inrikespolitik var ganska tråkiga men det är nog mest för att jag saknar förkunskaper om den, jag känner liksom inte igen namn på högt uppsatta Tories och diverse ministrar från när jag var 9-14 år gammal. Kapitlena om utrikespolitik var däremot ofta väldigt intressanta och bjöd på roliga anekdoter om inte minst Angela Merkel och Berlusconi.
Allt som allt så är det en bra bok och även om den har sina svagheter skulle jag säga att den definitivt är läsvärd om man vill veta mer om Cameron och hans tid som premiärminister.
August 3, 2021
David Cameron debe ser uno de mis referentes más potentes en la actualidad. Siendo bastante joven ganó el liderazgo del Partido Conservador y con una campaña que siempre recuerdo haber seguido con entusiasmo en 2010 logró desbancar a los laboristas del gobierno y formó el primer gobierno de coalición después de la II guerra mundial, con los libdems. En 2015 lograría una cómoda mayoría absoluta que le garantizarían 5 años más, ahora en solitario, pero el Brexit y otras decisiones cambiarían su plan original.
De esto se trata estas memorias de Cameron, es fantástico como describe una política exterior muy fuera de la caja de la tradicional línea británica, habla de su vida personal y su hijo que sufrió una parálisis cerebral que terminaría encontrando penosamente la muerte, también hablaría sobre su Big Society, los cambios en materia económica, política y cultural de los conservadores, en 2013 impulsó y aprobó la ley de matrimonio igualitario, ganó el referéndum de la independencia de Escocia y se da tiempo para explicar el por qué del Brexit, porque apostar a someterlo a plebiscito, entre otros.
Me gustan mucho las biografías de los políticos que tienen estatura, Cameron sin duda la tiene. Y creo que los hacen muy humanos y atractivos que tengan muchos contrastes, muchos claroscuros. Lo recomiendo 100%.
De esto se trata estas memorias de Cameron, es fantástico como describe una política exterior muy fuera de la caja de la tradicional línea británica, habla de su vida personal y su hijo que sufrió una parálisis cerebral que terminaría encontrando penosamente la muerte, también hablaría sobre su Big Society, los cambios en materia económica, política y cultural de los conservadores, en 2013 impulsó y aprobó la ley de matrimonio igualitario, ganó el referéndum de la independencia de Escocia y se da tiempo para explicar el por qué del Brexit, porque apostar a someterlo a plebiscito, entre otros.
Me gustan mucho las biografías de los políticos que tienen estatura, Cameron sin duda la tiene. Y creo que los hacen muy humanos y atractivos que tengan muchos contrastes, muchos claroscuros. Lo recomiendo 100%.
December 2, 2021
Listened to on Audible whilst running. Taken me around 18 months, which indicates how compelling it is.
Mainly a litany of Cameron defending what he did in office (as well as some intimate, and genuinely heart breaking, stories about Ivan). Which is fine, he gets to do that. And it can be vaguely interesting, as well as a nice history of the last ten years. But if you already think Cameron isn't Satan incarnate, listening to relatively plausible explanations of why he did X rather than Y won't be mind blowing. It gives a bit of an insight into what it is to be PM, but still nothing greatly eye opening here.
Best bit is him relaying an anecdote of Seamus Heaney meeting Prince Philip at a party and finding him very funny. 'Bajesus, that man's a card' says the Bogman poet. That was interesting. But that was about it. (Listening to Cameron critique Johnson's Brexit motives, and stand in disbelief at Gove, is also interesting enough, but probably not worth slogging through an entire book for it.)
I'd be hard pressed to read another PM's biography. Are there better ones out there?
Mainly a litany of Cameron defending what he did in office (as well as some intimate, and genuinely heart breaking, stories about Ivan). Which is fine, he gets to do that. And it can be vaguely interesting, as well as a nice history of the last ten years. But if you already think Cameron isn't Satan incarnate, listening to relatively plausible explanations of why he did X rather than Y won't be mind blowing. It gives a bit of an insight into what it is to be PM, but still nothing greatly eye opening here.
Best bit is him relaying an anecdote of Seamus Heaney meeting Prince Philip at a party and finding him very funny. 'Bajesus, that man's a card' says the Bogman poet. That was interesting. But that was about it. (Listening to Cameron critique Johnson's Brexit motives, and stand in disbelief at Gove, is also interesting enough, but probably not worth slogging through an entire book for it.)
I'd be hard pressed to read another PM's biography. Are there better ones out there?
December 27, 2022
David Cameron has a mighty interesting story to tell. He discusses in depth why he made certain decisions, and I enjoyed the snapshot into his thinking.
However:
a. The book is far too defensive, and his stubborn refusal to admit mistakes in calling the EU referundum - and to insist he did so in the national interest - is frustrating to read.
b. The book is poorly edited. It is too long, and tends to dedicate a lot of space to unimportant details, then gloss over parts which should be more substantial.
However:
a. The book is far too defensive, and his stubborn refusal to admit mistakes in calling the EU referundum - and to insist he did so in the national interest - is frustrating to read.
b. The book is poorly edited. It is too long, and tends to dedicate a lot of space to unimportant details, then gloss over parts which should be more substantial.
July 16, 2023
I thought it might give a bit of insight into his time as prime minister but it felt like a pretty superficial political broadcast with him trying to still push getting rid of human rights due to Muslims (his caveats don't stack up as he talks about the far right very little and is very bullish about what the Muslim community should do to condemn messages that can encourage terror but not about how this can be applied to those within his party, nor those like Modi) and never really gets beyond bland sound bites of what British values etc. mean.
February 21, 2020
This took my faaaar too long to complete but brilliant throughout. Reading Cameron’s thoughts through political history I lived through was an odd experience of continued reminiscing. It read as he spoke which made it easy to comprehend while engaging enough. Nothing too drastic that wasn’t revealed in the news on its release but has shaped my ideas around certain topics of British politics, diplomacy etc
June 18, 2021
Obviously he is an appalling human being but the book itself was pretty interesting - I liked that he didn't spend much time on his life, childhood etc. and spent most of it on the key decisions involved in being Prime Minister, which was good to read about even if I disagreed with every single one of them...
January 29, 2020
Often self-congratulatory and disingenuous, but nonetheless compellingly written and in some parts, deeply moving. Interesting to read a book by someone with whom you wholeheartedly disagree and end up thinking you'd actually quite like an evening in the pub arguing with them and asking follow up questions. I will never forgive Cameron for calling the referendum, but still glad I read this book.
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