Andrew Marr

Striking an intellectual note for the common reader

Andrew Marr has always used his vast intellect with such wit and verve that he has always come across as a political pundit real people could enjoy. It’s hard to imagine David Frost interviewing Gordon Brown on a Sunday morning, as Marr did last month, and using the word ‘slags’ in a question about Islamic fundamentalists and their negative attitudes to women.
While TV has made Andrew Marr’s name, the Glasgow-born, ex-editor of The Independent has made TV a thoroughly watchable beast when it comes to politics. His hugely entertaining and insightful BBC series, and book, A History of Modern Britain will no doubt be on many people’s lips during any Q&A sessions here, and there will be much to chew over. In his review of the book, playwright David Hare described Marr’s method as the ‘Ben Schott approach to history’, which at first sounds as though it’s a harsh criticism. Instead, it’s intended to point out how Marr piles up the details of the past to create a more vivid picture than he would have given us had he resorted to sweeping generalisations. (Brian Donaldson)

Recommended Reading: A History of Modern Britain posits that shopping has replaced politics in the UK public’s psyche.

20 Aug, 6.30pm, £8 (£6); 21 Aug, 1.30pm, £7 (£5).

More: A History of Modern Britain, Andrew Marr, Book Festival, Edinburgh Festivals, History, Politics, Non-fiction (Books)

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