Want to learn about political campaigning? 5 books for Christmas

Looking forward to some festive season reading or wondering what books to get some of your politically-minded friends?

Here are my top five books which will tell the reader about how political campaigning really works. Not the starry-eyed fun fiction of the West Wing but real politics and real campaigning.

Talking to a Brick Wall by Deborah Mattinson – a fascinating account of how politics looks through the eyes of the voter.

A Fortunate Life by Paddy Ashdown – a great read covering many topics, including a chapter on how he won Yeovil. Still very relevant.

Minority Verdict by Michael Ashcroft – find out how the Conservative party used data and targeting in its key seats at the last general election.

The Victory Lab by Sasha Issenberg – the essential introduction to how smart political campaigns run tests to find out what works.

101 Ways To Win An Election – well I would recommend it, wouldn’t I? But one of the reasons for writing it was that Ed and I felt there is so much about campaigning which other books don’t tell you.

Happy reading!

For other Christmas present ideas, check out the still excellent reader round-up from 2010.