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Who Dares Wins

By: Dominic Sandbrook
Narrated by: Dominic Sandbrook
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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

The early 1980s were the most dramatic, colourful and controversial in our modern history. Margaret Thatcher had come to power with a daring plan to reverse Britain's decline into shabbiness and chaos. But as factories closed their doors, dole queues lengthened and the inner cities exploded in flames, would her harsh medicine rescue the Sick Man of Europe - or kill it off?

Evocative, surprising and gloriously entertaining, Dominic Sandbrook's new book recreates the great turning point in Britain's modern history. For some people this was an age of unparalleled opportunity, the heyday of computers and credit cards, snooker, Sloane Rangers and Spandau Ballet.

But as industries collapsed, working-class communities buckled and the Labour Party tore itself apart, it was also an age of extraordinary acrimony. And when Argentine forces seized the Falklands, it seemed the final humiliation for a deeply divided country.

Here are the early 1980s in all their gaudy glory: Tony Benn, Ken Livingstone, Ian Botham and Princess Diana. Here are Joy Division, Chariots of Fire, the Austin Metro and Juliet Bravo; wine bars, cruise missiles, the battle of Goose Green and the ZX Spectrum. And towering above them all, the most controversial prime minister in our modern history - the Iron Lady.

©2019 Dominic Sandbrook (P)2019 Penguin Audio
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History
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a trip down memory lane

I was in my late teens and early 20s during the.time frame of the book. I enjoyed reliving those times under the careful and beautifully judged writing of Mr Sambrook. it feels so near still but how the world has changed. I will now go further back in time and listen to his earlier histories. my biggest memory of 1982 was living in Paris during the Falklands conflict. no end of smug Frenchmen told me about their jets and bombs hitting 'our boys'. it is very difficult to avoid French food in Paris. well it was then. but by a pure piece of luck I ended up doing the PR for the launch of MacDonald's in France. revenge is a dish best served with a side of fries and a milk shake.

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Fascinating reflection of the early Thatcher years

An engrossing history of British history during the first term of Margaret Thatcher’s premiership, entertainingly written and well balanced. Covering not only the obvious political and military, but fascinating insights into the social aspects of the time.

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Fantastic from start to finish

This is a brilliant book to listen to if you are at all interested in the popular abs political culture of the 1980s. Sandbrook gives detail about every aspect with great enthusiasm and accuracy. His reading of the book is also very good. His voice impression of Tony Ben made me laugh on several occasions as it was so well done.

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Really good as everything from Sandbrook

Superb account of the early Thatcher era. We forgive him from writing on the Daily Mail, since he is a great narrator.

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Encore!

Finished the 3rd of the three on audible. Absolutely magnificent! Please put Never Had It So Good and White Heat on audible Dominic. Thank you!

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Remarkable

Perhaps it is because of my own personal interest in the era, perhaps it is simply that this book is so well written, perhaps it is that this book is so well narrated, Perhaps it is just that the subject matter is so diverse. Whatever the reasons, sitting after sitting, chapter after chapter I put this book down with an exclamation of, “ what an amazing book!“

What an amazing book!

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Very entertaining and thought provoking.

As a person who came of age in the period covered, I truly enjoyed the fresh perspectives delivered on Thatcher and many of the events of the time. Very well delivered by the author too.

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Best history of post war Britain

Latest installment of Dominic Sandbrook epic history series. I just love these books and I realise how much was going on that I oblivious to as I lived through it all. I preferred the narration on this as previous narrator was a bit enthusiastic with his impersonations and I found this distracting. Why aren't the early books covering the 50's and 60's available in this format ? Bring on the next episode

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Simply amazing

I didn’t think this would be as good as the preceding two books on the seventies, but it surpassed them - simply amazing.

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Another great listen

Have read all of Sandbrook’s books and this is up there with the best. I could relate well to many of the chapters as I was a teenager in the 80’s. Keep em coming Dominic. Brilliantly written and narrated

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