Pandemic Diaries The inside story of Britain’s battle against Covid
By Matt Hancock and Isabel Oakeshott
When Covid-19 swept the world, governments scrambled to protect their citizens and chart a course back to normality. As Health Secretary, Matt Hancock was at the forefront of Britain’s battle against the virus, trying to steer the country through the crisis in a world where information was scarce, judgements huge and the roadmap non-existent.
Drawing on a wealth of never-before-seen material, including official records, his notes at the time and communications with all the key players in Britain’s Covid-19 story, this candid account reveals the inner workings of government during a time of national crisis, reflecting on both the successes and the failures.
Recounting the most important decisions in the race to develop a vaccine in record time and to build a nationwide testing capacity from the ground up, Pandemic Diaries provides the definitive account of Britain’s battle to turn the tide against Covid-19. Crucially, it also offers an honest assessment of the lessons we need to learn to be prepared for next time – because there will be a next time.
Reviews
“This candid account tells the story of what it was like to be at the heart of things. It’s the first draft of history and will help anyone fighting like we did to handle a pandemic.”
Michael Gove
“Unputdownable … What shines throughout this book is the eagerness with which Hancock seized the immense task presented to him – managing the national response to the worst pandemic in a century … There is much to learn here.”
The House
“Jaw-dropping”
Daily Mail
“Explosive”
Daily Express
“Revelatory … Hancock paints a vivid picture of how difficult it is for our leaders to translate policy into action”
Tim Stanley, Daily Telegraph
“A helpful contribution to the public record … This is a story about what happens when the entire machinery of government is too clunky, too inadequate to respond to a crisis”
Charlotte Ivers, Sunday Times
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- Hardback, 592 pages
- ISBN: 9781785907746
- 6 December 2022
- £25.00
- eBook
- ISBN: 9781785907753
- 6 December 2022
- £19.99