Books by Michael Ashcroft

Carrie Johnson is without doubt a very modern prime ministerial spouse. This examination of her career and life offers the electorate the chance to assess exactly what role she plays in Boris Johnson's unpredictable administration and why that matters.

The Falklands War, which may prove to be the last 'colonial' war that Britain ever fights, took place in 1982. Fought 8,000 miles from home soil, it cost the lives of 255 British military personnel, with many more wounded, some seriously.The war also witnessed many acts of outstanding courage by the UK Armed Forces after a strong Task Force was sent to regain the islands from the Argentine invaders. Soldiers, sailors and airmen risked, and in some cases gave, their lives for the freedom of 1,820 islanders.Lord Ashcroft, who has been fascinated by bravery since he was a young boy, has amassed several medal collections over the past four decades, including the world's largest collection of Victoria Crosses, Britain and the Commonwealth's most prestigious gallantry award.Falklands War Heroes tells the stories behind his collection of valour and service medals awarded for the Falklands War. The collection, almost certainly the largest of its kind in the world, spans all the major events of the war.This book, which contains nearly forty individual write-ups, has been written to mark the fortieth anniversary of the war. It is Lord Ashcroft's attempt to champion the outstanding bravery of our Armed Forces during an undeclared war that was fought and won over ten weeks in the most challenging conditions.

Book of the Day - The Guardian"e;Well-researched well-written even-handed balanced."e; - Baroness Hoey, The Critic"e;Red Knight is well written and researched and, I think, pretty fair."e; - Daniel Finkelstein, The Times"e;Ashcroft has done his research and he does tell us important things about Starmer."e; - The Independent"e;Well-researched, fair and objective Lord Ashcroft's book is a great aid to answering questions [about Starmer] and posing a few more."e; - TCW"e;Comprehensive."e; - The Tablet"e;Surprisingly sympathetic."e; - MoneyWeek***Sir Keir Starmer has played many parts during his life and career. He went from schoolboy socialist to radical lawyer before surprising many by joining the establishment, becoming Director of Public Prosecutions, accepting a knighthood and then, in 2015, standing successfully for Parliament. At Westminster, he was swiftly elevated to the shadow Cabinet, and in April 2020 he became the leader of the Labour Party.Michael Ashcroft's new book goes in search of the man who wants to be Prime Minister and reveals previously unknown details about him which help to explain what makes him tick.Starmer was the architect of Labour's second-referendum Brexit policy, which was considered a major factor in its worst electoral defeat for nearly a century. Is he the man to bring back Labour's lost voters? Is he the voice of competence and moderation who can put his party back on the political map? Or is he just a member of the metropolitan elite who is prepared to say and do whatever it takes to win favour?This meticulous examination of his life offers voters the chance to answer these vital questions.

Drawing on four years of groundbreaking research among voters across the United States, Lord Ashcroft examines the success of Biden, the appeal of Trumpism, and the prospects for the next chapter in American politics.

Michael Ashcroft's new book charts Sunak's ascent from his parents' Southampton pharmacy to the University of Oxford, the City of London, Silicon Valley - and the top of British politics.

The shocking expose of an inquiry into South Africa's lion business.

Arguing that it is vital for Labour to regroup if it is to offer a serious alternative government, Lord Ashcroft draws on extensive research among real voters - especially those who have moved away from Labour in former heartland seats now represented in Parliament by the Tories.

The first political biography of one of the most significant politicians of today.

Insightful analysis explaining how Americans think their President is performing.

Michael Ashcroft and Isabel Oakeshott investigate the state of the British Armed Forces today. Why do we still need them, and do they have what they need to do what is required of them? As external threats grow in an increasingly fragmented world, the state of our Armed Forces is becoming a dominant theme in and outside of Westminster.

Insightful analysis explaining how and why the British voted the way they did in the 2017 general election. Will be essential reading for students and followers of electoral politics.

Insightful analysis explaining how and why Americans voted in the 2017 Presidential elections.

In the months before the 2015 election, Lord Ashcroft Polls conducted focus groups all over the country to find out whether the parties' frenetic campaigning was having any effect on the people it was supposed to impress: undecided voters in marginal seats. The reports, collected here for the first time, show what was going on behind the polling numbers - what people made of the stunts, scandals and mishaps, as well as the policies, plans and promises that constitute the race to Number Ten. As well as shedding light on voters' hopes and fears, the book asks crucial questions: which party leader is like a Chihuahua in a handbag? Which cartoon character does David Cameron most resemble? What would Ed Miliband do on a free Friday night? And is Nigel Farage more like Johnny Rotten or the Wurzels? Pay Me Forty Quid and I'll Tell You- packed with shrewd and funny observations from real voters - proves that although most people have better things to do than follow every storyline in the political soap opera, nothing very important gets past them.

The fourth book in Ashcroft's Heroes series tells the extraordinary stories behind his collection of British and Commonwealth flying gallantry medals.

Extraordinary true stories of daring and valour

Author is the world's leading collector of VCs; his trust owns 146.