Why Is This Lying Bastard Lying to Me?: Searching for the Truth on Political TV

An excellent, well balanced book that informs and inspires much more than any BBC programme. I have read it in a few days, and could have read even more. Of a similar age to Mr Burley, I remember the Robin Day Question Times through to the COVID days. If you like politics read this. If you don't like politics, the reason is probably in this book.

I finished this excellent book in one weekend. It’s got a serious overarching theme about politicians and our access to them and equally, the desperate need for some high calibre interviewers with the time required to establish the truth. It’s also very funny in parts and extremely well written throughout.

Really enjoyed this book about political interviewing. As someone who interviewed Mrs Thatcher when I was a teenager (in 1976 for hospital radio when she gave me 20 mins), I found Rob’s excellent book and its stories fascinating. Thanks for a great read!

Very funny at times, it also makes you despair of a lot of our politicians. Interesting too on the techniques and strengths of famous interviewers.

I was given this book for my birthday last week, and on first inspection wasn't fully sure what to expect. I'm more a man for proper political biographies, and the cartoon cover, coupled with the unnecessary swearing in the title, meant I approached with - to be frank - some caution. However I couldn't have been more wrong. I was gripped right from the first page.Mr Burley has a rare gift when it comes to writing, seemingly incapable of producing a boring sentence. He's been at the heart of many of the key moments in British political journalism in recent years, and his first hand accounts of interviews with Prime Ministers Johnson, May and Cameron are sparkling with insight, into both their on-screen and off-screen personae. The author is particularly astute when it comes to outlining the infuriating techniques Johnson and his ilk employ to avoid answering a straight question, and I enjoyed learning about the various methods in which both interviewer and producer seek to overcome such obfuscation.Hearing how the likes of Andrews Neil and Marr prepare for heavyweight encounters with senior figures was truly fascinating. However, some of the strongest sections come when the author delves further back into the realms of childhood memory, and legendary encounters featuring the likes of Brian Walden and Sir Robin Day. I was surprised to find these early chapters did cause me to slightly revisit my long-held opinions on the dreaded Maggie. At least she wasn't scared of coming to the fight, unlike today's sorry crop.As mentioned above, the writing is never boring, indeed I found myself laughing aloud at numerous points. By the end of the book one feels one knows Mr Burley very well, and I felt I had spent several hours in extremely rewarding company.All in all, by some distance the best book I've read so far this year.

..and this isn't one. If you ever suspected a left wing bias in the MSM and needed it confirmed, this is for you. Occasionally amusing and certainly well-written, but a more appropriate title would have been; Why Is This Biased B______ Preaching To Me?

As a child who used to skive school to watch TUC and party conferences (unusual, granted), then a politics student during Thatcher's 80s, and a general lover of a meaty political interview, I was recommended this book by a knowing friend. The author's love and respect for the mighty political journalists past and present and unshakable belief in the value of the quality, long-form political interview shines through. This coupled with his unique position from the inside of many leading news/politics programmes makes for captivating, tantalising discoveries and revelations across the last few decades, including, crucially, Brexit. His writing style is easy, humorous, reflective and honest which adds to making the Lying Bastard a real page-turner. I honestly couldn't wait for bedtime to come around and felt a real sense of loss as the final page closed. This Lying Bastard was a thoroughly satisfying companion!

as a 44 year old person who's grown up in the analogue and digital age, who is fascinated by the political interview and political tv in general.. i feel this book was literally written for me! to learn everything rob has to tell about robin day, walden, frost, paxman, marr, mair, rigby - and how the last four decades of political tv has progressed and all his behind the scenes knowledge, is just fantastic. the book is packed with anecdotes and stories. i fell in love with the political interview after seeing robin day vs john nott - and rob's description of that interview gave tingles down my spine. highly recommend. five stars.

Whilst I don’t necessarily question the parentage of our politicians (or its relevance to anything) their honesty is a different matter.An interesting read. I note also that it highlights in a few places the tendency of the BBC (and its author) to follow the lead of the printed media despite the greater decline in subscribers of the latter.Thought provoking regarding our troubled political situation though offering no actionable answers.