"In our chaotic era, our politics seems ever more volatile, and citizens ever less empowered. But Peter Allen's brilliant book reminds us to see from the forest from the trees-not to get caught up in this year's politicians and events but to see the core themes that have always driven how we organise, care for, and command each other. A wonderfully written guide to the fundamental forces that matter in our political lives." -Ben Ansell, Nuffield College"One of the most lively and thought-provoking politics books I've read in a long time. Peter Allen writes with intelligence and humour and integrity and here he gifts the public that rare thing: a discussion of how to think about politics aimed, not at the denizens of Westminster, but the rest of us." -Aditya Chakrabortty, The Guardian"In our chaotic era, our politics seems ever more volatile, and citizens ever less empowered. But Peter Allen's brilliant book reminds us to see the forest for the trees-not to get caught up in this year's politicians and events but to see the core themes that have always driven how we organise, care for, and command each other. A wonderfully written guide to the fundamental forces that matter in our political lives.

" -- Ben Ansell, Nuffield College, Universityof Oxford"One of the most lively and thought-provoking politics books I've read in a long time. Peter Allen writes with intelligence and humour and integrity and here he gifts the public that rare thing: a discussion of how to think about politics aimed, not at the denizens of Westminster, but the rest of us." -- Aditya Chakrabortty, The Guardian.