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  • Published: 18 October 2019
  • ISBN: 9780241451649
  • Imprint: Penguin Audio
  • Format: Audio Download
  • RRP: $32.99

Who Dares Wins

Britain, 1979-1982





The fascinating story of how Margaret Thatcher, Princess Diana and the SAS changed the world

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.

  • Published: 18 October 2019
  • ISBN: 9780241451649
  • Imprint: Penguin Audio
  • Format: Audio Download
  • RRP: $32.99

About the author

Dominic Sandbrook

Dominic Sandbrook has been passionate about history ever since he read the Ladybird children's books. As a historian, he has written eight books for adults. He has also presented several BBC television series, covering topics such as time travel, alien invasions, the James Bond films and the Harry Potter stories. His favourite book is The Lord of the Rings. His favourite football team is Wolverhampton Wanderers.

He lives in Oxfordshire with his wife and son, Arthur. It was Arthur who came up with the idea for Adventures in Time, after a family trip to the Imperial War Museum. He now serves as the books' chief battle consultant.

Also by Dominic Sandbrook

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Praise for Who Dares Wins

Terrific fun ... Sandbrook isn't like other historians ... He heads off down strange, neglected byways, teasing out unexpected connections, with the results often proving far more illuminating - and enjoyable - than conventional narratives ... I defy you not to be swept up in a narrative that's as colourful as it is dramatic.

John Preston, Mail on Sunday

I read it in less than two days, my attention never flagging ... It is dramatic, perceptive and often extremely funny

John Preston, Spectator

Relentlessly entertaining

Daisy Goodwin, Sunday Times

Not only thoroughly entertaining, but crammed with as many serious insights as a shelf-ful of academic studies.

Alwyn W Turner, The Telegraph

Praise for THE GREAT BRITISH DREAM FACTORY: Delightfully good ... an exuberant and learned celebration of British culture

Nick Cohen, Observer
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