In FIFTY YEARS ON, Roy Hattersley explores and explains the events which have shaped modern Britain. Combining acute analysis of domestic politics with a brilliant eye for the bigger picture, his 'prejudiced history' takes the reader from the high hopes of 1945 to the cynicism of end-of century Britain. Roy Hattersley focuses his attention on two particular features of post-war Britain: the perpetuation of an education system which fails to meet the needs of the whole country, and our stubborn refusal to accept that the United Kingdom is a medium-sized European nation which can only increase its power and prosperity by real integration within the European union. FIFTY YEARS ON is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the forces that have shaped us.

This eloquently written work would be my first choice for any student who wanted a compressed political history of the last fifty years in Britain...a classic. * Brian Walden, LITERARY REVIEW *
Hattersley calls it a 'prejudiced history' and it is all the better for that. What makes Hattersley a consistently thought-provoking and page-turning writer is the fact that his prejudices are not always predictable -- Andrew Rawnsley * Observer *
An entertaining, stylish and generally unbiased romp through the last half-century by Britain's leading born-again Socialist -- Ben Pimlott * Independent on Sunday, Books of the Year *
Centring on parliament, party, cabinet and conference, and where the inner history of the Labour Party is concerned, mingling casual revelations with well-researched accounts of key episodes. Not only is Hattersley's recall vivid, but he started in politics so young that he straddles the decades with little sign of effort. -- John Vincent * Spectator *
Mixes perspective and a polemic in a way which constantly makes you have to define where you stand -- Peter Preston * Observer, Books of the Year *
A formidable book, meticulously researched [and] immensely readable...Marvellous -- Tony Benn * Sunday Times *

Roy Hattersley is a politician turned writer. He was elected to Parliament in 1964 and in 1983 he became deputy leader of the Labour Party. He has written colums for The Guardian, Punch and The Listener.