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TRUTH TO POWER;7 WAYS TO CALL TIME ON BS
YOU HAVE MORE POWER THAN YOU THINK.
At a time when many of us feel the world isn’t listening, Jess Phillips offers inspiration to those of us who want to speak out and make a difference.
No stranger to speaking truth to power herself, she will help you dig deep and get organised, finding the courage and the tools you need to take action.
As well as bringing us hope through her own experiences Jess talks to the accidental heroes who have been brave enough to risk everything, become whistle-blowers and successfully fight back.
Entertaining, empowering and uncompromising, TRUTH TO POWER is the book we all need to help us call time on the seemingly unstoppable tide of bullshit in our lives.
At a time when many of us feel the world isn’t listening, Jess Phillips offers inspiration to those of us who want to speak out and make a difference.
No stranger to speaking truth to power herself, she will help you dig deep and get organised, finding the courage and the tools you need to take action.
As well as bringing us hope through her own experiences Jess talks to the accidental heroes who have been brave enough to risk everything, become whistle-blowers and successfully fight back.
Entertaining, empowering and uncompromising, TRUTH TO POWER is the book we all need to help us call time on the seemingly unstoppable tide of bullshit in our lives.
Hardcover
Published October 3, 2019
90 people are currently reading
803 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
January 4, 2020
Yes bab.
October 10, 2019
Jess Phillips is wonderful. I don't know how she finds time or resolve to be such an effective parliamentary member, to work for her constituents locally, to contribute to wider campaigning, to write books and to narrate them. But I'm so glad she does. Her words are so much more powerful heard in her native Brummie voice. It's a cliché to talk about people being national treasures, but any list of such that misses her is misguided.
December 6, 2020
This short book is ostensibly about 7 ways you can speak out and - as the books says - “speak truth to power”. The problem is, the book says these exact words an awful lot, until they lose all meaning and become a platitude. Yes, there are some interesting points made - primarily about the value of speaking out for those who agree with you but don’t yet have the courage to say anything, which challenges the idea of ‘preaching to the choir’ - but ultimately it all felt too theoretical. “Suppose that...” “If I wanted to...” - the examples given seem real enough, but a lot of them were hypothetical and the context was therefore greatly simplified. There were also several missteps: quoting Brendan Cox (in a supportive light) in a book which speaks frankly about the #MeTop movement seems odd (& the book was published in 2019 so the allegations about him had already been made by then); Phillips talks simultaneously of how important it is speak out and be prepared to fail, while at the same time stressing that you need to pick your battles (which is it?); and she speaks of assessing what you’re willing to lose, but then speaks about several people who lost their lives (who presumably did not think what they were doing would lead to death). Overall, I’m not quite sure what this book is trying to achieve. It’s not a rallying cry for a particular cause, and it’s not sufficiently detailed as a primer on those who want to get into activism. It reads instead like a commencement or graduation speech (or perhaps a TED talk) - something sufficiently high level that gives people some things to mull over, but isn’t enough on its own. Ultimately, I couldn’t identify what it was trying to achieve and I think that was its biggest drawback.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2019
An inspiring, funny, sad and energetic book. Just like Jess Phillips herself. The case studies are interesting and real. They explore a world beyond the headlines, a world we sometimes miss. Maybe written by a future Prime minister? Fingers crossed!
June 24, 2020
Loved it! Essential reading for anyone fed up with our fucked up world and wondering what can be done. Jess Phillips is such an authentic voice in everything related to fairness, equality and a progressive politics. Hope she will lead Labour one day.
June 3, 2022
A neat little book about speaking up - not that I need encouragement!
September 28, 2024
Very readable handbook for anyone who is thinking of taking on the powers that be. Really inspirational and informative.
January 17, 2020
My favorite UK politician. Love her thoughts and ideas, and her specific examples which make it sound so obvious! She talks to important truth-tellers for their input, too.
November 16, 2019
Incredibly inspiring. Perfect if you're thinking of setting up a campaign as there's a step by step guide inside.
February 3, 2025
I liked this book, a quick read that gives you a few pointers on how to organise yourself to take on a cause you are passionate about.
November 9, 2019
Very easy to read. A call to action which will inspire you with the bravery shown by others.
October 30, 2019
If you want to become an activist this is the book for you. Frank and, at times, funny guide to the best ways to engage, create and develop movements for change.
November 17, 2019
This book has its heart very much in the right place. It certainly has its faults (the fact she writes "mom" instead of "mum" had me screaming) but it's written in a nice conversational tone that makes it relatable. It's a step-by-step guide to getting involved, changing society and influencing then political process. If you like Jess Phillips you'll probably like the book, but plenty of people don't. Our family are definitely in favour.
February 21, 2023
This is the third book of Jess’ that I’ve read and sadly it was my least favourite. That’s not to say it is a bad book because it wasn’t, it was informative, interesting and engaging but I couldn’t help but feel it was more of a self-help book as it isn’t the sort of book that you’d sit and read just for fun. Instead it is one that would be helpful if you were going through a situation which required you to talk ‘truth to power’ in your life.
Jess outlines the process of successfully talking truth to power giving tips such as always ensuring you have a detailed plan, making sure that you are speaking truth to power for the right reasons and the power of social media to aid your campaign. Throughout all the individual chapters covering the process there are inspiring and informative examples used to demonstrate individuals who have used the methods Jess describes to aid their campaigns such as The Grenfell United campaigners, and The Together for Yes campaigners. The examples are excellently executed to highlight the methods that Jess advocates using and as I have come to expect from Jess’ writing she writes in an accessible way without jargon so the book is suitable for everyone.
My only real criticism of the book is that whilst I think it would be an excellent book to read if you were currently running or participating in a campaign, it isn’t a book that you find yourself wanting to pick up and read when you aren’t in that situation. I also doubt some of the advice given, whilst I think in general it is useful advice if you are undertaking or participating in a large scale campaign I don’t think it would be much use in a singular situation such as the workplace. Maybe I think this because I am already someone who isn’t afraid to voice their opinion and instead if I was someone who was afraid/unsure how to do so then the tips within this book might be useful but on the whole I think they lack a larger awareness of the implications that speaking up can have when you aren’t in the position to absorb the negative consequences of doing so with ease.
That said I did like the book and I would read future books that Jess writes however I hope she uses the style of writing that she used in her other two books rather than the self-help style of this one.
Jess outlines the process of successfully talking truth to power giving tips such as always ensuring you have a detailed plan, making sure that you are speaking truth to power for the right reasons and the power of social media to aid your campaign. Throughout all the individual chapters covering the process there are inspiring and informative examples used to demonstrate individuals who have used the methods Jess describes to aid their campaigns such as The Grenfell United campaigners, and The Together for Yes campaigners. The examples are excellently executed to highlight the methods that Jess advocates using and as I have come to expect from Jess’ writing she writes in an accessible way without jargon so the book is suitable for everyone.
My only real criticism of the book is that whilst I think it would be an excellent book to read if you were currently running or participating in a campaign, it isn’t a book that you find yourself wanting to pick up and read when you aren’t in that situation. I also doubt some of the advice given, whilst I think in general it is useful advice if you are undertaking or participating in a large scale campaign I don’t think it would be much use in a singular situation such as the workplace. Maybe I think this because I am already someone who isn’t afraid to voice their opinion and instead if I was someone who was afraid/unsure how to do so then the tips within this book might be useful but on the whole I think they lack a larger awareness of the implications that speaking up can have when you aren’t in the position to absorb the negative consequences of doing so with ease.
That said I did like the book and I would read future books that Jess writes however I hope she uses the style of writing that she used in her other two books rather than the self-help style of this one.
October 19, 2019
Massively inspiring, a very easy read.
November 5, 2019
Truth To Power will galvanise anyone into taking action on injustices after reading. The case studies Jess Phillips uses are powerful (The #HomeToVote campaign used for the Irish same-sex marriage referendum and the repealing of the law banning abortion, the Harvey Weinstein scandal, Grenfell) and illustrate how ordinary people, when pushed, can make a real difference. Her overarching message is: don’t let other people speak for you, seek representation and stand up when the moment calls for it - speak your truth!
November 20, 2019
Brilliant guide on how to stick up for what you know to be right in the face of people who want you to know your place! Thank you, Jess
January 14, 2020
A frank account of how to engage in activism, this book serves as a clear account of the author’s underlying philosophy at a time when she is standing to be leader of the Labour Party. Whilst the accounts of how to build campaigns and the importance of storytelling are valuable, any response to activists by those in power is instantly treated as oppression or patronising behaviour. This is too much of a jump and encourages the adoption of a ‘victim’ mentality that is not always useful when fighting for a cause.
October 30, 2019
This book gives you inspiration you didn’t know was missing. Read it, then give it to a friend to read. In a world where people don’t feel heard, this book will empower and inspire you to raise your voice and speak out.
October 8, 2020
Didn't add anything to the mix over how to be more powerful against various injustices in the social system., other than don't take anyone/organisation on alone.
October 1, 2021
Jess Phillips' voice is a beacon for the firm, reasoned and sensible internal voice that everywoman has inside of her. Keep speaking and keep writing Jess you are brilliant.
December 19, 2019
Just when you were ready to give up hope, along comes this little book and shows you just how things can be different. In fact, it shows you how to make that difference. Jess Phillips is the straight-talking Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley and she likes a fight. In her book she is very clear that tactics, preparation, working together and slog are essential ingredients in the struggle for social, climate and any other type of justice in the face of calculated obfuscation, distraction, inertia and misinformation from the powers that be.
Jess Phillips talks from her own experiences and interviews with some amazing and inspiring contemporary change makers including Zelda Perkins, who first blew the whistle on Harvey Weinstein ; Paul Caruana Galizia, son of the assassinated Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia who investigated political corruption in her country and Sara Rowbotham who had to fight against her employers in order to protect young women and children who were in their care from serious sexual abuse.
What all these people had in common was bravery. But it was not the kind of solo-heroism where a single individual hurls themselves against a Goliath-sized foe. For one thing, Jess tells us, that simply won't work. The righteous anger that all these inspiring people felt was felt on behalf of others. In fact working in behalf of and with others is absolutely key. The strength, resources and the talent of the group is always stronger. The strength needs to be worldly-wise and, in this book, we are given clear details of the the way that conventional power will try and block changes for justice. Luckily they always behave in the same way and any justice orientated campaign will be able to expect and challenge appeasement, obfuscation and prevaricating. Being canny and choosing your battles is also really important, as well as maximizing the expertise of the group.
She also promises that your first victory will not be your last. The habit of calling-out bullying, prejudice and corruption seems to be addictive from swingeing cuts to services to yobbish name-calling on the street.
Jess's style is direct and forthright and there is a lot of swearing in this book, as well as a lot of humour. The world may look like its going to the dogs but all over the world people are making clear and embedded changes in the way things are done to make it a better place. The book will help empower you and others to be part of that change.
Jess Phillips talks from her own experiences and interviews with some amazing and inspiring contemporary change makers including Zelda Perkins, who first blew the whistle on Harvey Weinstein ; Paul Caruana Galizia, son of the assassinated Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia who investigated political corruption in her country and Sara Rowbotham who had to fight against her employers in order to protect young women and children who were in their care from serious sexual abuse.
What all these people had in common was bravery. But it was not the kind of solo-heroism where a single individual hurls themselves against a Goliath-sized foe. For one thing, Jess tells us, that simply won't work. The righteous anger that all these inspiring people felt was felt on behalf of others. In fact working in behalf of and with others is absolutely key. The strength, resources and the talent of the group is always stronger. The strength needs to be worldly-wise and, in this book, we are given clear details of the the way that conventional power will try and block changes for justice. Luckily they always behave in the same way and any justice orientated campaign will be able to expect and challenge appeasement, obfuscation and prevaricating. Being canny and choosing your battles is also really important, as well as maximizing the expertise of the group.
She also promises that your first victory will not be your last. The habit of calling-out bullying, prejudice and corruption seems to be addictive from swingeing cuts to services to yobbish name-calling on the street.
Jess's style is direct and forthright and there is a lot of swearing in this book, as well as a lot of humour. The world may look like its going to the dogs but all over the world people are making clear and embedded changes in the way things are done to make it a better place. The book will help empower you and others to be part of that change.
December 27, 2019
This is both a very practical and inspiring book from the Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley.
I have always been a fan of Jess Phillips and very much enjoyed attending a live event in Nottingham that promoted this book.
The book interviews and uses the examples of some inspring people who have all faced up to powerful interests, called them out, fought for justice and equity. These range from Zelda Perkins who was one of the first people to publically challenge Harvey Weinstein's behaviours to campaigners for justice for the Grenfell tragedy and successful campaigners in the Irish eighth amendment campaign.
Jess Phillips provides excellent practical advise in this book, bith from the experiences of the subjects featured as well as her own experience, advising people to find other people with common cause, to plan carefully and to be ready for backlash from those with vested interests.
At a time when female politicians are routinely threatened ( including the author ) for the simple act of being as well as of speaking out this is a timely book, inspiring and motivating - I hope to see Jess Phillips in increasingly senior positions in the Labour Party and government.
I have always been a fan of Jess Phillips and very much enjoyed attending a live event in Nottingham that promoted this book.
The book interviews and uses the examples of some inspring people who have all faced up to powerful interests, called them out, fought for justice and equity. These range from Zelda Perkins who was one of the first people to publically challenge Harvey Weinstein's behaviours to campaigners for justice for the Grenfell tragedy and successful campaigners in the Irish eighth amendment campaign.
Jess Phillips provides excellent practical advise in this book, bith from the experiences of the subjects featured as well as her own experience, advising people to find other people with common cause, to plan carefully and to be ready for backlash from those with vested interests.
At a time when female politicians are routinely threatened ( including the author ) for the simple act of being as well as of speaking out this is a timely book, inspiring and motivating - I hope to see Jess Phillips in increasingly senior positions in the Labour Party and government.
February 17, 2020
I really like Jess Phillips. She is ballsy, outspoken but more than anything she is all about equality. I need a lot to respect a politician because in my opinion the majority of them are corrupt and I have disliked our current government because of its disregard for the working classes.
What I loved about this book and indeed what I love about Jess Phillips she will call people on their wrong doings like then our current Prime Minister prorogued Parliament. Jess Phillips showed up because the people of her constituency needed her to. You get the feeling that she genuinely cares about the people and I am gutted that she is no longer running for the leader of the Labour Party.
This book is brilliant. For something that is relatively small it packs a massive punch. It makes you feel like you can make a difference. Sometimes the smallest things make the biggest impact. With her book, Jess Phillips makes you believe you can.
Truth to Power – 7 Ways to Call Time on B.S. by Jess Phillips is available now.
What I loved about this book and indeed what I love about Jess Phillips she will call people on their wrong doings like then our current Prime Minister prorogued Parliament. Jess Phillips showed up because the people of her constituency needed her to. You get the feeling that she genuinely cares about the people and I am gutted that she is no longer running for the leader of the Labour Party.
This book is brilliant. For something that is relatively small it packs a massive punch. It makes you feel like you can make a difference. Sometimes the smallest things make the biggest impact. With her book, Jess Phillips makes you believe you can.
Truth to Power – 7 Ways to Call Time on B.S. by Jess Phillips is available now.
July 30, 2020
This is a relatively quick read, which good because sometimes these sort of books can get beefed out to 300+ pages just so the reader feels like they've good a good pence per page. The problem with that approach is bloat and repetition.
Thus book can be summarised as a non-partisan call to activism. It doesn't go into all the practicalities, it's not a guide. It's a nudge. It uses real people examples of occasions wheb someone did something and things changed or were highlighted. It covers the high and lows of trying to bring change and the hurdles and, briefly, how to deal with them.
I'm a bit of a fan of Jess Phillips so that might influence my review a bit, but i think it's a nice little easy read.
Thus book can be summarised as a non-partisan call to activism. It doesn't go into all the practicalities, it's not a guide. It's a nudge. It uses real people examples of occasions wheb someone did something and things changed or were highlighted. It covers the high and lows of trying to bring change and the hurdles and, briefly, how to deal with them.
I'm a bit of a fan of Jess Phillips so that might influence my review a bit, but i think it's a nice little easy read.
November 7, 2020
"If you believe that speaking truth to power is for the exceptional, it is because that is what the powerful told you to keep you quiet. It doesn't have to be the exception, it can be the rule that we make those with power live by."
A brilliant pocket-rocket of a book, peppered with amazing stories of ordinary people who have instigated genuine change. Jess offers no-nonsense, straight talking words to inspire you, challenge you, and push you into activism, be that national campaigns or 'seemingly insignificant' truth speaking.
I think it's fair to say, this book feels more relevant than ever.
" You have more power than you think; don't give it away to people who don't deserve it."
A brilliant pocket-rocket of a book, peppered with amazing stories of ordinary people who have instigated genuine change. Jess offers no-nonsense, straight talking words to inspire you, challenge you, and push you into activism, be that national campaigns or 'seemingly insignificant' truth speaking.
I think it's fair to say, this book feels more relevant than ever.
" You have more power than you think; don't give it away to people who don't deserve it."
January 11, 2021
Reflections and lessons learned:
Fantastic mix of rousing, fight no matter what, calls to arms, whilst also sounding like a sassy auntie talking cleverly over a carvery and a couple of bottles of wine in Wolverhampton this is genuinely something that I crave at this lockdown point!). Very moving in places with the difficult political topics, prime examples of when a situation needed the fight.
I soooo wish that Jess would have been further considered for the Labour Party leader - could you imagine if we’d have had a prime minister that called people bab? We’d be paving the way in world peace in no time
Fantastic mix of rousing, fight no matter what, calls to arms, whilst also sounding like a sassy auntie talking cleverly over a carvery and a couple of bottles of wine in Wolverhampton this is genuinely something that I crave at this lockdown point!). Very moving in places with the difficult political topics, prime examples of when a situation needed the fight.
I soooo wish that Jess would have been further considered for the Labour Party leader - could you imagine if we’d have had a prime minister that called people bab? We’d be paving the way in world peace in no time
March 28, 2022
As great a concept as this was, it fails short of her first book, 'Everywoman' as it rehashes similar anecdotes and talking points. But it's a great conscise version of her personal manifesto, cleverly sectioned off into important subjects.
Jess Phillips is still a rock star though and should have gotten the Labour leader's job over that wet PE sock of a man, Kier Starmer. But no, a man is going to win over three women, isn't he?
Just ridiculous.
To be fair, this is more of a political manifesto than her previous book, but it is still a cracking read. It's unique it's frankness and like all of her writing, she doesn't mind cursing, unlike your normal politician.
Jess Phillips is still a rock star though and should have gotten the Labour leader's job over that wet PE sock of a man, Kier Starmer. But no, a man is going to win over three women, isn't he?
Just ridiculous.
To be fair, this is more of a political manifesto than her previous book, but it is still a cracking read. It's unique it's frankness and like all of her writing, she doesn't mind cursing, unlike your normal politician.
December 19, 2019
I bought this last month and had intended to read before the General Election but didn’t get round to it. Now I’m quite pleased that I did. I felt incredibly low post-election and felt very helpless about the prospect of another 4-5 years of this awful government. Truth To Power came at the right time and has given me lots of ideas about how to channel my frustrations into the things that I care about, irrespective of who is in power. Even if you’re not a fan of Jess Phillips, I highly recommend this book.
May 4, 2020
This is a hard one to rate on my (personal) scoring matrix. It's an easy read, with plenty of sensible advice and real life case studies. It's positive and uplifting, reminding us all that we can make a difference. Doing nothing means you are siding with the bullies. If I had a cause, I would probably score it 4 or 5 stars and use it as a manual. But (at the moment) I don't, and it hasn't inspired me to take one up. So, I've just scored it as a book and a decent read. I may come back to it though.......
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews