Overview

The Sunday Times Bestseller‘Seasoned Whitehall watchers often remark: “It wouldn’t have been like this if Jeremy Heywood were still around.” … How could it be that the effectiveness of the once-revered civil service had become reliant on a single man?’ Guardian ‘This book should be read in a similar spirit to Mantel’s masterpieces – as a portrait of an exceptional man who was always at the centre of events … Invaluable’ Guardian As a young civil servant, Jeremy Heywood’s insightful questioning of the status quo pushed him to the centre of political power in this country for more than 25 years. He directly served four Prime Ministers in various roles including as the first and only Permanent Secretary of 10 Downing Street, the Cabinet Secretary and the Head of the Home Civil Service. He was at the centre of every crisis from the early 1990s until 2018 and most of the key meetings. Invariably, when faced with a new policy initiative a Prime Minister’s first response would be: ‘but what does Jeremy think?’ Jeremy worked up until his death, retiring just a few days before he died from lung cancer in October 2018. This book began as a joint effort between Jeremy and his wife Suzanne – working together in the last months of his life. Suzanne completed the work after his death. In a time of political uncertainty, this extraordinary book offers an unforgettable and unprecedented insight into political decision-making, crisis management and the extraordinary role of the civil service. It is also a moving celebration of Heywood’s life in the beating heart of UK politics, and a man who for so long was the most powerful non-famous name in Britain. (Sunday Times Bestseller, February 2021)

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9780008353124

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Reviews

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'I just couldn't put it down. A fabulous book' Iain Dale, LBC 'This book should be read in a similar spirit to Mantel's masterpieces - as a portrait of an exceptional man who was always at the centre of events ... It will be invaluable as a source for scholars and historians both as to how, when, why and by whom certain decisions were taken, and to what the decision-making process within government looks like up close' Guardian 'This is an astonishing book ... She captures a remarkable sweep of recent UK political history and the central part that her late husband - a brilliant product and architect of the UK civil service and arguably the most influential cabinet secretary of modern times - played in making it work better' Financial Times 'An intimate personal memoir that is in places very moving and a fascinating political history that is at times revelatory ... The book brilliantly captures the way in which the personal and political are inextricably entwined' The Times 'A fitting tribute to an important public servant and a valuable insider account for political junkies ... She has succeeded hands down in justifying her belief that her husband was a worthy subject' Sunday Times 'The words Civil Servant seem too dry to describe greatness. But Jeremy was a great man whom I look back upon with a sense of pride in what he achieved and a sense of privilege in having achieved at least some of it together.' Tony Blair 'A collapsing pound, stock exchange crash, leaks, scandals, sackings, banks going under, capital flight, sometimes all in the same morning. Jeremy didn't need crisis, but crisis needed him.' Gordon Brown 'His was a confidence born of genuine ability, talent and brain. We were so lucky to have him.' David Cameron 'Calm, practical, pragmatic, forensic, creative and witty too. The greatest public servant of our time.' Theresa May

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'This book should be read in a similar spirit to Mantel's masterpieces - as a portrait of an exceptional man who was always at the centre of events ... It will be invaluable as a source for scholars and historians both as to how, when, why and by whom certain decisions were taken, and to what the decision-making process within government looks like up close' Guardian 'This is an astonishing book ... She captures a remarkable sweep of recent UK political history and the central part that her late husband - a brilliant product and architect of the UK civil service and arguably the most influential cabinet secretary of modern times - played in making it work better' Financial Times 'An intimate personal memoir that is in places very moving and a fascinating political history that is at times revelatory ... The book brilliantly captures the way in which the personal and political are inextricably entwined' The Times 'Suzanne and Jeremy Heywood have created a marvellous book which lives. breathes and talks to its reader. There is insight and humanity on every page. It will be a goldmine for historians of government.' Peter Hennessy 'The words Civil Servant seem too dry to describe greatness. But Jeremy was a great man whom I look back upon with a sense of pride in what he achieved and a sense of privilege in having achieved at least some of it together.' Tony Blair 'A collapsing pound, stock exchange crash, leaks, scandals, sackings, banks going under, capital flight, sometimes all in the same morning. Jeremy didn't need crisis, but crisis needed him.' Gordon Brown 'His was a confidence born of genuine ability, talent and brain. We were so lucky to have him.' David Cameron 'Calm, practical, pragmatic, forensic, creative and witty too. The greatest public servant of our time.' Theresa May

'The words Civil Servant seem too dry to describe greatness. But Jeremy was a great man whom I look back upon with a sense of pride in what he achieved and a sense of privilege in having achieved at least some of it together.' Tony Blair 'A collapsing pound, stock exchange crash, leaks, scandals, sackings, banks going under, capital flight, sometimes all in the same morning. Jeremy didn't need crisis, but crisis needed him.' Gordon Brown 'Jeremy's tenacity, that semi-permanent half smile he always used to have, his svelt intellect, and his preternatural appetite for finding agreement in a sea of disputes were, in many ways, qualities that were tailor made for Coalition Government.' Nick Clegg 'His was a confidence born of genuine ability, talent and brain. We were so lucky to have him.' David Cameron 'Calm, practical, pragmatic, forensic, creative and witty too. Some would say, the very best of Sir Humphrey, with none of the downsides. But I would go further. Surely the legend of our brilliant Civil Service should no longer be the fictional story of Sir Humphrey but the true story of Sir Jeremy. The greatest public servant of our time.' Theresa May

Author Information

Suzanne Heywood was born in the UK but for most of her childhood sailed around the world with her family, with limited access to formal education. She came back to the UK aged 17 and won a place to study at Oxford University. After her PhD at Cambridge University, she joined McKinsey and Company where she became a senior partner. She is now a managing director of Exor and chair of CNH Industrial. She married Jeremy in 1997 and they have three children.  

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