the book should inspire historians to do more research on the Partys political culture, identity, and language.
Gary Love, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Twentieth Century British History
This book should be essential reading for any modern politician, from the humblest constituency envelope-stuffer to the present Prime Minister.
Ian Cawood, The Times Literary Supplement
the fundamental importance of Ball's work ... is to demonstrate beyond all doubt that there is sufficient source material to encourage further and deeper research on the interwar Conservative Party. In fact, the book should inspire historians to do more research on the Partys political culture, identity, and language.
Gary Love, 20th Century British History
the most thorough history thus far of any 20th-century British political party. ... a portrait in the truest sense. It is as much a major contribution to historical method as it is to the history of 20th-century Britain.
Dr Andrew Thorpe, Reviews in History
This is a big and important book. Stuart Ball weaves together a narrative and a thematic approach in order not just to tell the story of the Conservative Party between the wars but to provide a guide to its anatomy and its ecology ... Ball's book can be dipped into with delight or read from start to finish
Averil Cameron, English Historical Review
The highly-nuanced analysis presented in Portrait of a Party is the product of its wealth of detail.
N.C. Fleming, Parliamentary History