Robert Harris' "The Precipice" offers an insightful historical fiction narrative set against the backdrop of early 20th-century British politics and the onset of World War I. The novel focuses on the intriguing relationship between real-life figures Herbert Asquith, the British Prime Minister, and Venetia Stanley, a much younger woman from high society. Through authentic letters (from Asquith, Venetia's letters were burned), Harris masterfully weaves a tale of personal and political drama.

The novel explores the psychological dynamics between Asquith and Venetia, highlighting themes of power, influence, and emotional dependency. It provides a fascinating study of their relationship, shedding light on Asquith's vulnerability and Stanley's struggle with the overwhelming attention and responsibility placed upon her.

"The Precipice" excels in its meticulous research and vivid portrayal of historical events, including the political tensions and behind-the-scenes dealings within the British government. The book brings to life figures like Winston Churchill, depicting his relentless drive for war and I enjoyed scenes, where he was portrayed as a man obsessed with one goal - pushing towards military conflict.

While the novel may lack the traditional suspense associated with Harris' thrillers, it compensates with its rich historical detail and character exploration. "The Precipice" could be a captivating read for those interested in historical fiction and the complexities of power dynamics during a pivotal moment in history, however if you're looking for tension and action, as I did, you will end up somewhat disappointed.

This is a fascinating read. I thouht I knew all therr was to know about the start of the First World War but this book adds a whole new dimension. A fascinating character study of Asquith, told through his infatuation and affair with Venetia Stanley. Pacey an held my interest throughout.

Robert Harris, it seems, can turn his hand to any era and produce a first rate novel, factually based that really brings the period to life. Precipice tells the story of Asquith’s affair with a much younger woman. As OM, about to take the country to war, he was obsessed with his liver and wrote numerous letters which contained top secret information. I knew nothing about this story and found it both incredible and incredulous.

Harris has a keen eye for detail and I assume the research is both meticulous and accurate. This is historical fiction at its best; two principal real life characters woven into an exciting and well plotted story. A fascinating insight into the man and his times and a well paced plot that held e gripped from the start. It’s difficult to beat for pure, well written escapist fiction and fir me, another winner from a master storyteller.

I am an unashamed Robert Harris fan and was delighted to receive a review copy of this, his latest novel, from the publishers via Netgalley. It is an astonishing piece of work. Who can believe that a Prime Minister conducting a World War could simultaneously conduct correspondence detailing the most secret facts and figures of his daily business, even including actual original documents! All the correspondence detailed and quoted from Asquith to Venetia Stanley is true and extant. Fantastic in the extreme. As a novel however, it loses pace, particularly in the middle third, when things get a bit repetitive. Nonetheless, I recommend this and also suggest that a bit of googling will confirm and extend much of what is written.

Robert Harris does it again, another entertaining book, this one starts just before WW1. Venitia Stanley is the much younger mistress of the then Prime Minister Asquith and throughout their relationship they had an extensive exchange of letters. Some of these included top secret information which is problematic when they are intercepted.

The historical events and the thought proccesses of a Prime Minister on the brink of war are fascinating. It's somewhat surprising that he had the time and headspace to keep up an affair and the letter writing. One has to wonder if he was concentrating enough to be in receipt of so much power.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC.

A most enjoyable read! I love historical fiction and the author has written a novel that’s impossible to put down; the story unfolds of the relationship between Venetia Stanley and the then Prime Minister Asquith, who is twice her age. Asquith is besotted with this young independent and impetuous lady, writing to her several letters daily, totalling over 500 during their two year acquaintance. However, even though these are in part love letters they also include top secret details and telegrams of discussions and events relating to the Government’s handling in the early stages of WW1. Their communications are intercepted by a young enthusiastic policeman seconded to a secret Government Department, which amount to potential espionage.

Robert Harris is now firmly in place on my ‘must read’ list.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this e-ARC.

Venetia Stanley is a young upper class woman whose life is very privileged in pre WW1 Britain.

She is in a semi secret relationship with HH Asquith, the Prime Minister. "Prime" writes to her several times a day,detailing the machinations of the running of the country.

As WW1 breaks out, he continues to write to her,being careless with the nation's secrets which attracts the attention of the nascent Special Branch.

As with all Robert Harris books, it is wrapped around true facts and is well written and hugely enjoyable.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Heinemann Publishing for the chance to read and review this book

This is a very interesting book, written as it is about a time in our history where decisions were made that changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, and made in such arbitrary ways. The writing, as always with this author is excellent, and so well researched.

Although I never really knew much about Herbert Asquith, and nothing about Venetia Stanley, I didn’t take to him, but found Venetia to be unusual for the era, in that she was a woman who took an interest in everything going on around her and wasn’t afraid to make her thoughts known.

As with anything written about real people, there is a certain poetic license that an author must use, and like the author, I like to think of Venetia doing her ‘bit’ for the war effort.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

There’s three main characters in this novel, two real and one fictional . The real ones are Herbert Asquith, Prime Minister in 1914 when the book starts, and Venetia Stanley, daughter of a wealth, aristocratic family. Asquith and Venetia are having an affair despite the fact he is married and in his sixties while she is in her twenties. The book is based on fact, using the actual letters he wrote to his mistress daily, sometimes more than once a day. To say he was obsessed with her would be a gross understatement. What she saw in him is less clear. Meanwhile, the First World War breaks out. The PM is constantly distracted from running the government by his passion for Venetia and he relies on her advice, sharing confidential papers with her in breach of security. This comes to the attention of the police when some of these documents are found by the public as Asquith has a habit of chucking them out of his car window into the street and this is where the fictional character of Paul Deemer comes into the story, though he has already met Venetia as she was connected to an incident in which two men drowned in the Thames during a party on a boat. Deemer is asked to investigate what is going on in relation to the confidential documents and whether there’s a. risk to national security and soon uncovers the relationship between the PM and his mistress.
It’s a fascinating story and incredible that someone in such a position at such a time could be so obsessed with his lover in the midst of taking such important decisions affecting millions of troops. But it’s also very human. Asquith was after all just a man and we have got used to politicians in recent times putting their personal lives before the country with devastating consequences. Partygate, anyone?
I enjoyed the book though it doesn’t have as much tension or drama as other Harris titles . However, the period detail is brilliant as is the insight into the machinations of government during a crisis.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher Penguin for an ARC in return for an honest review.

As a piece of fiction this is very well written and a real page turner set at the start of World War 1. Robert Harris is a wonderful writer who makes his characters really come to life and it is as though you are right there sharing each event with the two main characters, Venetia Stanley a 26 year old aristocratic socialite and Herbert Henry Asquith, the 62 year old Prime Minister of Great Britain. Were this as purely fictional story then the plot line would seem improbable but both characters are real (as are most of the surrounding cast) and they did have a very close relationship at the time the book is set. Asquith was besotted with Stanley and wrote messages to her each day and often several per day. The author Harris has based the book on the real letters and telegrams sent by Asquith which still exist today. They include details of the Government Cabinet meetings, major decisions and often including military sensitive information. They provide a fascinating insight into the mind of this PM as the country heads into war but most surprising is his preocupation with this young woman who seems to dominate his thinking while the lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers fighting at the front hang on the decisions he and his Cabinet are making. As a piece of historical record Harris’s account of the infighting in the cabinet, particularly between Lord Kitchener and Winston Churchill, are themselves great reasons for just picking up the book. Harris says up front that Asquith’s correspondence printed in the book is verbatim from the originals in the archives so this is primary source material!
The fictional part of the book is both Stanleys response to the PM's notes, although these are derived from the PM's responses, and a completely fictional detective story about Scotland Yard investigating this breach of security after some confidential memorandums turn up. This story is well crafted and fits easily into the unfolding non fiction story.
All in all it is a great read and I would commend this to any students of WW1 or UK politics in general. I am very fond of the Historical Fiction genre as a way to immerse yourself in real events from the past. I do, however, find some offerings such as The Crown, TV series, go too far in blurring the line between reality and fiction. The Precipice maybe getting into this territory and I did find myself constantly searching the internet to learn the "true" stories of the characters in the book. Perhaps that shows the power of the genre in stimulating further research? The saving grace is that the story is very enjoyable and believable and not at all salacious despite the obvious temptations. Let’s just hope the people behind The Crown dont get hold of it!!
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for providing access to this book.

This is a great example of fiction based on, illuminating and conveying a version of historical events. Based on letters between Asquith and Venetia Stanley at the onset of WW1. Harris doubtless engages poetic licence to convey some of the situations and relationships, otherwise this would be non-fiction, rather than fiction. Nonetheless, the quality of the writing is excellent, and the effect is compelling. Highly recommended. Grateful thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

This is the first Robert Harris book I have read and based on this I need to read more of his work. This was absolutely gripping, a page turning thriller that does not sacrfice historical detail for pace, or story for accuracy. Read in one sitting.

I always enjoy a Robert Harris novel. This one was brilliantly researched with surprising details and interesting facts as the prime minister has an affair with a much younger lady in his social set, as the world stands on the brink of WW1.
It was an intriguing read as the country progressed to war and through the beginning of the conflict as disaster unfolds. Startling details emerge as the familiar names from history work together or against each other to implement the plans and decisions of the early months. As the 2 main characters are from the influential aristocracy, the lists of servicemen losing their lives seem to make little impact. I enjoyed the attempts of the policeman to act as a spy with little or no knowledge or equipment!
Highly recommended

What an amazing story based on the letters written between PM Asquith and his socialite mistress Venetia Stanley. With World War one breaking out, the PM writes about everything, including top secret information, and sends it in the normal post to his young girlfriend. The politics and personalities, including Winston Churchill, are brought to life, and the intrigue behind what was happening with at the top show the absolute disregard for the thousands of lives that were being lost, especially in the Gallipoli campaign. So shocking that it is based on truth, with actual correspondence used throughout the book, and a little literary licence to tie it all together. This is another absolute page turner from this author.

History brought to life in a compelling and understandable way. Britain is on the very edge of the First World War and Asquith must fight to keep order but he also yearns to see his mistress and confidante, Venetia Stanley. The events that unfold are masterfully told and the characters are believable and rounded. A really interesting and very readable fictionalised account of dark days.

This is an excellent novel, set in 1914, just before and during the early months of the First World War. I studied this in detail for my history degree and the diplomacy and political squabbles are so well written and understandable. They give the reader a great understanding of what was going on at the time. And the letters beween Asquith and Venetia running through the book make for a great read. They are amazing, I had never heard of them before. A very well written book (as expected from Robert Harris) with an interesting and engagng plot. The notes at the end were insightful and interesting too. With thanks for the e-ARC to read and review.

My first novel by the author, and I must say, I am impressed! This novel based on the original letters written by H.H. Asquith and Venetia offers an incredibly honest, intimate and moving insight into their love affair. However, their letters were not only about love and utmost trust, but also definitely bordered on treason.... As their correspondence took place before and during WWI, the reader gets firsthand information about political decisions involving the war. Fascinating! The police investigation about the letters came to a rather thought provoking conclusion.....
Highly recommended!
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I willingly leave an honest review.