The historian, wrote E. L. Doctorow, will tell you what happened. The novelist will tell you what it felt like. This book sees Peter Hennessy and Robert Shepard combine both approaches with the art of the interviewer, a craft at once sensitive and probing. "Reflections "collects transcripts of the best interviews from the BBC Radio 4 series "Reflections with Peter Hennessy," a show on which the British political elite have spoken candidly about their careers and the moments that came to define their political lives. Supplementing the interviews are short biographies and profiles of the interviewees, allowing readers a fuller picture of each speaker s background and professional trajectory. This revealing book includes conversations with political heavyweights such as former prime minister John Major; former foreign secretaries Margaret Beckett, David Owen, and Jack Straw; Labour Party leader Neil Kinnock; Liberal Party leader David Steel; and chancellor of exchequer Nigel Lawson. In addition, "Reflections" presents interviews with leading women, including Shirley Williams and Clare Short, who spent years at the forefront of their parties in Westminster.The latest volume in the popular Haus Curiosities series, "Reflections" offers valuable insights from some of today s most influential political figures. "

Peter Hennessy s conversations with leading politicians of ourtime have reinvented the political interview. Probing, yet sympathetic, thought-provoking and at times moving, they providea rare glimpsebehind the public face and an insight into the background, inspirationsand motivations of these key figures. --Carolyn Quinn
The art of the interview is to caress, coax and cajole your subjectinto revealing more about themselves than they ever planned to. PeterHennessy does just that with verve and panache. --Nick Robinson
Peter Hennessy always combines entertaining verve with immense depth of knowledge and that shines through in this collection. --Martha Kearney
Peter Hennessy is the perfect companion for a walk through thepolitics that made our time, and these are conversations that tell somuch. Sharp, touching and wise. --James Naughtie
This is an unusual politics book. It takes the reader inside theheads of some of the towering politicians of our age. Compelling stuff. --Robert Peston
Hennessy knows the ins and outs of post-War British politics so well that he is able to give a little nudge with a quick intervention, sometimes just a few words, when necessary. A true professional, and worthy of reading and rereading for all those who want to know what makes front-line politicians tick. --Jonathan Fryer

Peter Hennessyspent twenty years in journalism and as a presenter for BBC Radio 4. Baron of Nympsfield since 2010, he is also a fellow of the British Academy and the author of multiple books, including "Establishment and Meritocracy" and "The Kingdom to Come." Robert Shepherd is a radio and television producer based in London. He is the author of "Westminster: A Biography."