Synopsis
Summer 1914. A world on the brink of catastrophe.
In London, 26-year-old Venetia Stanley - aristocratic, clever, bored, reckless – is having a love affair with the Prime Minister, H. H. Asquith, a man more than twice her age. He writes to her obsessively, sharing the most sensitive matters of state.
As Asquith reluctantly leads the country into war with Germany, a young intelligence officer is assigned to investigate a leak of top secret documents – and suddenly what was a sexual intrigue becomes a matter of national security that will alter the course of political history.
Seamlessly weaving fact and fiction in a way that no writer does better, Precipice is the thrilling new novel from Robert Harris.
Publisher information
- Publisher: Cornerstone
- ISBN: 9781529152821
- Number of pages: 464
- Dimensions: 242 x 162 x 39 mm
- Weight: 691g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
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Excellent
A most enjoyable read! I love historical fiction and the author has written a novel that’s impossible to put down; the story unfolds of the relationship be... READ MORE
Based on real events
What an amazing story based on the letters written between PM Asquith and his socialite mistress Venetia Stanley. With World War one breaking out, the PM w... READ MORE
Harris at his very best
What bliss to be alive and in possession of a new Robert Harris novel, even better an advance proof copy. I like counterfactual novels (Fatherland) and one... READ MORE
History mixed in with a love story
Herbert Henry Asquith served as the British Prime Minister from 1908 to 1916. He took Great Britain and the British Empire into the First World War and was... READ MORE
Interesting read
This is a very interesting book, written as it is about a time in our history where decisions were made that changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of ... READ MORE
Highly intriguing.
The year is 1914 and the UK is on the cusp of war, and the only thing that is on the mind of H.H. Asquith the British Prime Minister is Venetia Stanley a v... READ MORE
Precipice Robert Harris.
I have yet to read but I have high expectations.
Something new from a master storyteller.
Something new from a master storyteller.
Say what you like about Robert Harris, he doesn't like to repeat himself. "Precipice" is something new from ... READ MORE
Another brilliant glimpse into history
A new book by Robert Harris is always an event in my world and Precipice continues his run as the unviralled master of historical fiction. He always seems ... READ MORE
Page turning and fascinating
4* Precipice by Robert Harris. The master of weaving historical fact into page-turning fiction is on top form in this incredible book.
HH Asquith is th... READ MORE
Love affair might wreck WWI
“The Past is a foreign country, they do things differently over there”. Hartley’s famous line is perfectly illustrated by this book. 1914 is just over on... READ MORE
Robert Harris never fails!
Robert Harris never fails! He always increases my thirst for knowledge and this novel is no exception! A page turner from the start. Lord Asquith, the P... READ MORE
A fascinating read
A brilliant, fact-based novel. One of his best. An extraordinary tale of politics and human dilemma on the eve of the First World War.
War and a piece on the side
Remarkable that a PM in the middle of a war can be so distracted by affection for a woman less than half his age. It is of course possible, as reckless as ... READ MORE
Very interesting and engagng. An eye opener
This is an excellent novel, set in 1914, just before and during the early months of the First World War. I studied this in detail for my history degree and... READ MORE
Another brilliant book by Robert Harris
I was fortunate to be allowed to read this new book by Robert Harris by NetGally for review.
Mr Harris never disappoints and this is a great example of ... READ MORE
Fascinating mix of fact and fiction
This is a fascinating insight into the lead up and first few months of WW1. Incorporating letters from Prime Minister Asquith to Venetia Stanley - often co... READ MORE
Astounding...if you only read one book this year.....read Precipice
Robert Harris as always delivers creating a story from the known facts and making a novel feel like you are present as the events unfold. HH Asquith was Li... READ MORE
Compelling
This is a superb new novel from Robert Harris. It blends the serious topic of war with daily routine- albeit it through letters between the Prime Minister ... READ MORE
Excellent book
Precipice by Robert Harris is an extremely well-written book, weaving fact with fiction and perfect for fans of political scandal and historical fiction. I... READ MORE
Interesting and based on reality
Interesting and based on reality
Robert Harris tells a good story, always keeping the interest going. It is a change for a book not to contain bad langua... READ MORE
Master of historical fiction
Robert Harris is fast becoming one of my favourite authors and is the master of making history accessible. Set in the summer of 1914 this book tells of the... READ MORE
another engaging story
Goodness this book was a real eye opener, and a shocking indictment of people in power and their ability, or otherwise, to make life or death decisions reg... READ MORE
Something new from a master storyteller.
Say what you like about Robert Harris, he doesn't like to repeat himself. "Precipice" is something new from this thriller writer - a love story.
"Preci... READ MORE
A masterful and thrilling blend of fact and fiction
He’s done it again – this book is yet another masterful blending of fact and fiction backed by superb and illuminating research, flawless writing, and a cr... READ MORE
Modern historical fiction at its best
Very well written. Weaving fact and fiction seamlessly. What a pleasure reading a modern writer with a complete grasp of the english language.
A few things I didn't know about ww1
Another robert Harris blockbuster and it doesn't disappoint at all
True story of a prime minister and his love for a young woman , told through letters a... READ MORE
Another Triumph for Robert Harris
Harris has once more found a little known historical event and created, yet again a brilliant page turner. His research into all aspects surrounding the st... READ MORE
Couldn’t put it down!
Harris weaves historical fact and fiction focused on Prime Minister Asquith and his obsession with the 26-year-old socialite, Venetia Stanley. The novel t... READ MORE
Masterpiece
First Robert Harris book I’d read and it won’t be the last! - The story takes the reader behind the scenes of high society and government as war breaks out... READ MORE
A gripping atmospheric read
I first heard about Precipice by Robert Harris on the radio, and as someone who loves historical books—especially those with a political element set in Vic... READ MORE
One hell of a pager turner!
What a book! I couldn't put it down. not for any great length of time. I really had to know what came next! And for the week I bought and finished it in, i... READ MORE
An interesting perspective
Prime Minister Herbert Asquith is leading a country on the edge of war. A shooting in the Balkans has led to tensions across Europe and Britain must decid... READ MORE
Fascinating dramatisation of history
A simply remarkable dramatisation of historical events.
Aside from knowing he was once prime minister, I didn't know anything about Asquith - feel a lit... READ MORE
Outstanding
One of his best. Fantastic weaving together of a fascinating historical scenario, and a clever fictional investigation
A meeting of love and war
Precipice by Robert Harris
1914, and as the storm clouds of The Great War start to build, so do the responsibilities of power for Prime Minister, Herber... READ MORE
Disappointing
Having read all Robert Harris’s novels and enjoyed them all, I was perplexed by Precipice. The story is long drawn out, the characters hold no charm or fas... READ MORE
Robert Harris on form again
As one of my very favourite authors Mr Harris creates another brilliant novel following on from Act of Oblivion another stand alone classic piece of work. ... READ MORE
Tedious and disappointing
Prompted by the impending release of the film this was the first Harris novel I read was 'Conclave' which I found an intriguing and thrilling page-turner. ... READ MORE
another success
Enough twists and turns that are totally believable to make a really compelling read.
Tried too hard.
I found the plot tedious. Prose were trying too hard with some of the language and the blurb and cover paint the story to be something it’s not. More a rom... READ MORE
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