"A book of considerable learning and importance, written with charm and clarity...that deserves to become a core text for students and should be read by all serious journalists." Peter Oborne, British Journalism Review "Virtually a social history of modern Britain, ... [written from] a fantastic vantage point ... with a lightness of touch. " Times Higher Education "One of the break-throughs of Malcolm Dean's book is the way it documents the fact that the media are more than just messengers. What it unearths is the degree to which ministers' attitudes and mindsets are influenced by the media in such crucial fields as law and order, drug reform and asylum. They are major players." Howard Glennerster, Emeritus Professor of Social Policy, London School of Economics and Politics. "As one would expect from an ex-journalist of a quality newspaper, the book is well written in a very accessible style. In particular, there is none of the jargon that is a feature of so many academic books on the media and politics." Raymond Kuhn, Journal of Social Policy "a compelling analysis of the complexities and, at times, cynicism of how policy has been shaped in modern Britain" Brian Murphy, Irish Examiner July 2013 "a remarkably detailed book...an intricate and subtle study" Julian Petley, Fifth Estate Online "Malcolm Dean had a media seat in the stalls of social policy through four tumultuous decades. He's been there, seen it - and knows it better than anyone. A vital subject: a definitive book." Peter Preston, former editor of The Guardian "Malcolm Dean's fascinating book explores an under-discussed dimension of politics -- how policy and political decisions are shaped by the popular media. Many of his examples should cause us great concern." Baroness Shirley Williams "Malcolm Dean has been uniquely well-placed to witness innumerable policy successes and failures, and the often distorted lens through which they have been covered by the media. This thoughtful and wise book will be invaluable for anyone working in the media who's involved in explaining social policy, and to anyone involved in social policy who needs to get the media on their side." Geoff Mulgan, Chief Executive of NESTA and former Director of the Prime Minister's Policy Unit and the Cabinet Office's Strategy Unit in Tony Blair's Government