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Running From Office

'Wonderfully engaging, honest and witty' - Rory Stewart -THE NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER

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Running From Office

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

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

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

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

Bringing refreshing candour to the pressures and absurdity of politics, this book shows us who our politicians really are when there's nothing left to spin and no one there to spin it to. Politicians Politics & Activism Politics & Government Funny Thought-Provoking Witty Inspiring Government
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Critic reviews

'Wryly self-deprecating, but also informative and illuminating' (Matt Cooper)
'A wonderfully engaging, honest and witty portrait of the humiliations, idealism, nobility and banality of democratic life' (Rory Stewart)
'Riveting, a real page turner, I couldn't put it down' (Claire Byrne)
All stars
Most relevant
I always felt he got the brunt of everything. I cried as I could feel his pain. He tried his best in toxic environment. Present day the crisis is still very much a crisis. Great story telling too.

Fantastic and loved his narration !

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Insightful view into politics that is self deprecating, funny & idealistic of this public servant. Good for you for setting the record straight, naming names & honesty.
Great listen,!

Insightful, unputdownable!

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Excellent memoir by Eoghan Murphy that captures his idealism, intelligence, and self-doubt. Although a harrowing story at times, it is an important and insightful reflection on Irish public life.

Honest

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First person account of Irish politics from 2009-2021 from the Fíne Gael government minister of housing.

Really interesting account of Irish politics

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It’s a remarkable perspective on a tumultuous time in Irish public life. It gives a fascinating personal perspective on an extremely challenging ministerial brief; shows how isolated and poorly advised / not looked after the author was as minister; and how bad the politics of FG and FF were during this time such that they failed to marshal the state (national and local) around the problem of housing effectively.

It’s also just generally interesting on loads of details about the running of local and daily campaigns, Leo’s leadership campaign, and how hard it was to be in the public eye during this period for the author.

It’s 100% worth listening to if you’re into Irish politics

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