Politicians and Other Animals

A familiar face on our screens and voice on our radio and in our newspapers over the last thirty years, we know Olivia O'Leary from RTE's Prime Time and its predecessor Today Tonight, from the BBC's Newsnight and from BBC Radio 4's Between Ourselves. Her broadcasting career is interlaced with her journalistic career with The Irish Times and The Sunday Tribune. Most recently she was back on RTE with Later with O'Leary and on radio with In My Life and her slot on Five-Seven Live.

'In O'Leary's Attenborough-esque examination you see the political animals in all their colours. A great introductory guidebook to for a Dail safari' -- The Sunday Business Post Sunday Business Post 'In this book, broadcaster Olivia O'Leary has brought to life in all their vanities the politicians who perform in the theatre of democracy known as Dail Eireann. Olivia uses her acute gift for observation to write memorable reports on the Dail's star turns and the lesser actors alike.' -- Evening Herald Evening Herald 'She's a masterful observer of the deviant behaviour that is politics ... It's a little book of epiphanies about politics and politicians and all their faults and failings, strengths and achievements. It's a most amusing and carefully observed picture' -- Pat Rabbitte 'An extremely entertaining read' -- RTE Guide RTE Guide 'Perfect bedtime reading for the political junkie. Her collection of short essays ... Pose the fundamental question - why do they do it and why are we so interested in them? It is acerbic, witty, moving, angry, and irreverent. O'Leary should be running the country.' -- Dermot Ferriter - The Irish Times The Irish Times