Overview

The power of words in politics is well known, and Lend Me Your Ears, the fourth edition of the Oxford Dictionary of Political Quotations, brings together both words of wisdom and things that might have been better left unsaid. This unique reference not only charts the most influential political events of recent times through the things people said about them - including an international financial crisis and a watershed in American presidential politics - but also digs deeper than ever into the rich heritage of political history from around the world. A mouth-watering collection for anyone with an interest in history and politics, Antony Jay has assembled both a crash course in political wisdom past and present, and a treasure trove of politicians' blunders and put-downs. The book showcases a who's who of politics, covering everyone from Napoleon to Barack Obama, plus such notables as Mahatma Gandhi, Dorothy Parker, George Washington, Charles de Gaulle, Juan Peron, and Jean-Paul Sartre. The quotations cover every facet of political life--the pivotal and momentous, the sincere, the bemused, the tongue-in-cheek, and the downright rude. With 5,000 quotations in all and 300 new to this edition, Lend Me Your Ears is the most comprehensive and up-to-date resource for political quotations available. It also includes an essay by the political journalist Matthew Parris and keyword and subject indexes to help in tracing just the right quote. New quotations include: 'The inherited and permanent fact that North America speaks English.' Otto von Bismarck, when asked what was the greatest political fact of modern times 'British jobs for British workers.' Gordon Brown 'If I misspoke that was just a misstatement.' Hillary Rodham Clinton 'You never want a serious crisis to go to waste.' Rahm Emanuel 'A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to excuse his failure to keep his word.' Niccolo Machiavelli 'We are not going to give up our country for a mere X on a ballot. How can a ballpoint pen fight with a gun?' Robert Mugabe 'We will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.' Barack Obama.

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9780199572670

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<br> Excellent. --Daily Express <br><br> There is something on every page to make you sit up with interest, chuckle, or reconsider what you thought you knew. -Mail on Sunday <br><br> This is not merely an excellent work, but it fills a serious gap. --Financial Times <br><br>

Author Information

Antony Jay has spent 50 years travelling in the realms of government and politics as a television writer and producer. The journey has included the editorship of Tonight, writing the two royal TV documentaries Royal Family and Elizabeth R, and many programmes with Sir David Frost, including the twelve interviews with Harold Wilson in A Prime Minister on Prime Ministers. He was a senior executive in BBC TV, and a member of the government's Annan Committee on the Future of Broadcasting. In the 1980s he wrote the hugely successful comedies Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister.

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