I have been reading versions of this book since the 70's when the interlocking tribes of the establishment were as exotic as reading about South Sea Islands to a lad from slums and sink council estates. Over the years, I have become a participant in many of the tribes described as I get involved in developing policy and tracking individuals as they move up and around the system. I often see the human face of the key players and the support they draw thus seeing the web of influence of why a decision is made. On the whole I am amazed that the country manages to be run as talent, dedication, vision, are not the reasons why many individuals raise to the top, Its often, ability to network, knowing what the power holders want to know, writing and communication of breadth ( rarely depth), avoiding risk, ability to spin and talk-up and being born or married into the key establishment network. Or having the luck to be at the begining of a new network.

Sour grapes? Well I long ago when faced with the choice of changing the world or having people know that you have changed the world, I went with the first as you can get more change if you let others think that it was their idea! ( )