The powers behind the prime minister : the hidden influence of number ten (text only)

A handy 3-in-1 Italian study book: grammar, verbs and vocabulary in one volume, ideal for beginners who need a clear and easy-to-understand Italian reference and revision guide. This book gives you the essential tools to help you progress quickly in your study of Italian. The grammar, verb and vocabulary sections have been designed for all those learning Italian at school, in an evening class, for work or for leisure. • Grammar: this section provides easily accessible information in an attractively presented layout. Key grammatical points are highlighted throughout the text as a means of reinforcement. Hundreds of examples of real Italian illustrate clearly the grammatical points being made. In addition, a full glossary gives clear and simple explanations of grammatical terminology. • Verbs: you will find 120 fully conjugated regular and irregular verbs in this section. Each is self contained in a double-page spread showing all the major tenses. Major constructions and idiomatic phrases are given for all verb models, as well as hundreds of examples of real Italian to show you how verbs are used in context. An index contains thousands of verbs which are cross-referred to their conjugation model. • Vocabulary: this handy section covering 50 topics (such as family, free time, careers, computing, education, food and drink, health, shopping) gives you all the vocabulary you need to communicate effectively in Italian. With its clear, user-friendly grammar, all the most important Italian verbs shown in full, and an extensive vocabulary guide, this book gives you all the elements to start speaking and writing with confidence in Italian. (This edition does not include illustrations.) 'Kavanagh and Seldon's view of 20th-century British politics from behind the doors of Number10 should be compulsory reading. "The Powers Behind the Prime Minister" rattles along like some great pageant on the theme of "Yes, Minister".' Sue Cameron, Sunday Telegraph In this exclusive and important book, Dennis Kavanagh and Anthony Seldon reveal, for the first time, the truth about Number 10 Downing Street and how successive Prime Ministers have used the house to consolidate their power. Their book is to Number 10 what Peter Hennessy's study was to Whitehall – a close examination of a British Prime Minister's power centre – showing how successive PMs have wielded power within its walls. The authors had unprecedented access to contacts inside 10 Downing Street who agreed to speak to them exclusively and for the first time – civil servants, political advisors, secretaries and politicians. They have also talked to every Prime Minister still living. The book, as a result, contains controversial material never disclosed before. It also looks closely at the workings of power within Number 10 and the importance of geography inside the house for access to the Prime Minister, and to information and influence. 'The Powers Behind the Prime Minister' sheds sensational new light on many of our PMs. 'The best account of the Blair inner circle.' Peter Riddell, The Times Books of the Year "Dennis Kavanagh and Anthony Seldon's book gives a picture of the workings of prime ministerial power in Britain from 1970 onwards and throws the spotlight on those who work there. It examines the various units serving the Prime Minister, the powerful influence of officials, the tensions between civil servants and political aides, and it takes the reader through the six premierships from Ted Heath to Tony Blair. Kavanagh and Seldon have had unprecedented co-operation from senior civil servants and government insiders - both past and present - as well as from former Prime Ministers, secretaries and other Downing Street staff. As most of the period covered by the book still falls under the Thirty Year rule, it contains material that has never before been disclosed which sheds an illuminating new slant on much of the politics of the last forty years."--Jacket.