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Who Runs Britain?

On sale

30th October 2008

Price: £10.99

Selected:  Paperback / ISBN-13: 9780340839447

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‘A compelling portrait of early 21st-century casino capitalism … essential reading.’ – The Times

On 13 September 2007, Robert Peston broke the news that Northern Rock had become a victim of the global credit crunch and was seeking an emergency loan from the Bank of England.

It was the latest in a long line of scoops by this award-winning journalist. Over the weeks that followed, the Government found itself exposed to the Rock to the tune of £57 billion, or almost £2000 for every taxpayer. As Robert Peston shows in this fascinating book, the seeds for the collapse of Northern Rock and the upheavals in the financial markets were sown years before.

Who Runs Britain? is the first time anyone has drawn all the threads together to weave a story that’s rich in extraordinary characters and outrageous feats of economic bravado. This book is about the widening gap between the super-rich and the rest of us. It explores and explodes the myth that the financial creativity of those who are amassing these vast fortunes is good for the wider economy and for all of us.

Whether you’re a financial expert or just have a bank account, Who Runs Britain? is a book you must read.

Reviews

Howard Davies, <i>The Times</i>
A compelling portrait of early 21st century casino capitalism ... essential reading.
<i>Observer</i>
Fluent, incredibly up to the minute look at Britain ... Peston, in relaxed, conversational style is a great travelling companion along the highways of finance.
Peter Wilby, <i>Guardian</i>
This lucid and timely guide to the world of turbo-capitalism ... absorbing book, essential reading for anyone who wants to know how the British economy now operates.
Polly Toynbee, <i>Guardian</i>
Starkly lucid
<i>Financial Times</i>
Peston catches the zeitgeist of Britain and the paradox that is Gordon Brown.
Harry Mount, <i>Telegraph</i>
Engaging
Sarah Sands, <i>Independent on Sunday </i>
Peston is our rock... The triumph of Robert Peston makes me proud of my old paper, the BBC and of journalism in general.
<i>Evening Standard</i>
This remains the most riveting book on finance you may ever bother to read.
Nicholas Lezard, <i>Guardian</i>
I recommend this book
<i>Sunday Telegraph </i>
wonderful clarity
<i>Financial Times</i>
Book of the year
Simon Jenkins, Sunday Times
A devastating account of Blair's producer capture by high finance... Peston navigates with ease the shark-infested waters of hedge funds, sub-prime borrowing, defined-benefit pensions and loans for honours.