Why Is This Lying Bastard Lying to Me? cover art

Why Is This Lying Bastard Lying to Me?

Searching for the Truth on Political TV

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Why Is This Lying Bastard Lying to Me?

By: Rob Burley
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About this listen

A deliciously irreverent and humorous insider’s account of 25 years working at the very top of British political television

‘What Rob Burley doesn't know about political interviewing isn't worth knowing’ – Andrew Neil

‘A delicious read’ – Emily Maitlis

'He writes beautifully' – Jeremy Paxman

'Very funny’ – Steve Coogan

'An excellent book' – James O'Brien

'He writes brilliantly' – Adam Buxton

Why Is This Lying Bastard Lying to Me? is a deliciously irreverent insider’s account of a career spent trying to get straight answers from politicians, offering a unique insight into the British political class during a time when no one appears to be telling the truth.

This book is Rob Burley’s love letter to the political interview and, with the help of exclusive conversations with TV giants from Jeremy Paxman and Andrew Neil to Andrew Marr and Emily Maitlis, it will take you inside the process like never before.

©2023 Rob Burley Elections & Political Process Entertainment & Performing Arts Film & TV History & Criticism Media Studies Politicians Politics & Activism Politics & Government Social Sciences Witty Funny Inspiring Thought-Provoking

Critic reviews

‘Entertaining and illuminating’ Beth Rigby

‘With years of experience editing the crème de la crème of political broadcasting, Rob Burley’s had a front row seat at most of them’ Susanna Reid

‘Incisive, brutally honest and very funny’ Steve Coogan

‘An absolute delight’ Emily Maitlis

‘Witty and well-informed’ Andrew Marr

'A riveting read' Guardian

'Well informed and funny' Charles Moore, Telegraph

'Droll and vivid' New Statesman

All stars
Most relevant
I very much enjoyed thus book; it has made sense of some of the interviews I have watched in past forty years. I understand that sometimes politicians have to lie for the public good, but thanks largely to Johnson they have made it an art form for no better reason than that they can……..

A serious matter illuminated in an accessible and engaging style

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Great insight into the world of political journalism and the lying b*stards they have to work with. Well narrated with humour by Rob Burley, I wish him well.

The b*stards lie.

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A superb listen. Was hooked. This is one of those books you can listen to more than once. This is really good.

Just brilliant and absorbing

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A must listen for anyone who has an interest in politics and its reporting. I can just remember Thatcher coming into power. This book brings back vivid memories of the excellent journalists who held politicians to account… and reminds us of the spineless lying cowards who can’t face scrutiny.
A well written and well read piece.
Paragraph 5C and the fridge….

The memories!

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I do not normally read / listen to non-fiction. I take the view that if I am going to use my free time to read or listen to something, then it should be a bit of escapism, rather than a serious topic.

I have followed Rob Burley on Twitter for a while however, and always found him interesting and engaging, so when this came out I pre-ordered and gave it a go.

It is a fascinating account of how the political shows on our TV's have changed over the years, and how we are all poorer for it.

Now that may sound like a very dull topic if you are not one of the Westminster bubble, but it actually really works and is a fantastic listen. It is written almost as an account of Rob's career, which just happens to coincide with all these changes, and that makes it a personal tale, rather than a boring political one.

We also hear what was really going on behind the scenes with some of the moments we probably all remember, but just don't know that we do.

Really worth giving this a listen. I thoroughly enjoyed it despite it being the sort of thing i would normally avoid.

Absolutely brilliant

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