Bøker av Ian Martin

Be more Boris thanks to this parody collection of invaluable life lessons that will guarantee you success no matter what situation you might find yourself in

The perfect gift for fans of The Thick of It, Have I Got News for You and general moaning about the UK government: Do YOU have what it takes to be the next Prime Minister?Most of us know our limitations, especially when it comes to a career choice. We watch documentaries about A&E departments and the heroes who work there, and we think no. Oh no, thanks very much. We wouldn't have the nerve, or the stamina, or the resilience to do THAT. But who amongst us hasn't looked at the woeful performance of a prime minister and thought: 'Really, is that all there is to it? Even I could do that'. Now is your opportunity to familiarise yourself with what the job of prime minister actually is. This satirical and illuminating guide takes you through the craft and mystery of it all - packed full of quizzes, personality tests, word searches and much more - to see if you've got what it takes. In this book you will find:- Media training: top professional advice for the novice aspirational politician, including live rehearsals with interviewers, trick questions, sustained ignoring and how to choose the perfect walk on track. - PM Cards: which one of the past PMs is your political guiding light?- Money: how to charm people out of money on an industrial scale, complete with a guide on how to create a cash for honours system with your family- A Brief History of the Office of PMs: it won't surprise you to learn that they simply made it up as they went along. Written by Ian Martin, Emmy award winning writer, who was a core member for The Thick of It (and their swearing consultant too), Veep and The Death of Stalin, this is the ultimate guide to keep you and the family (or should we say your performance coaches) busy to see whether you're going to be our next Prime Minister this year. GOOD LUCK!

The international intervention after the 2011 Libyan uprising against Muammar Gaddafi was initially considered a remarkable success: the UN Security Council's first application of the 'responsibility to protect' doctrine; an impending civilian massacre prevented; and an opportunity for democratic forces to lead Libya out of a forty-year dictatorship. But such optimism was soon dashed. Successive governments failed to establish authority over the ever-proliferating armed groups; divisions among regions and cities, Islamists and others, split the country into rival administrations and exploded into civil war; external intervention escalated. Ian Martin gives his first-hand view of the questions raised by the international mission. Was it a justified response to the threat against civilians? What brought about the Security Council resolutions, including authorising military action? How did NATO act upon that authorisation? What role did Special Forces operations play in the rebels' victory? Was a peaceful political settlement ever possible? What post-conflict planning was undertaken, and should or could there have been a major peacekeeping or stabilisation mission during the transition? As Western interventions are reassessed and Libya continues to struggle for stability, this is a unique account of a critical period, by a senior international official who was close to the events.