It is hugely enjoyable to indulge in the beauty of great book covers and what better excuse than a review of your favourites of the year?

We’ve featured some fantastic examples of the use of photography to tell a story in political non-fiction — take a look at A Journey or The Third Man.

This cover, however, takes it to a whole new level. For those who know about the Milibands’ rivalry, this image says everything and tells you immediately that this is not a straight biography of Ed but an analysis of a bitter struggle, hidden behind public displays of unity. This is the story that most people want to read and it’s cleverly communicated by this choice of photo, which would work even without the strapline.

The book’s approach and conclusions, however, are rendered ambiguous by this image. Has Ed emerged triumphant from his brother’s shadow? Or will he be haunted and hampered by David for the rest of his career? Any reader will want to pick this up to find out which angle the authors have taken.

For anyone unfamiliar with the story, this picture is both striking and intriguing. Why, on a biography of a political leader, are there two people featured on the front? There must be more to this than a straightforward political profile.

Striking, communicative and well chosen — the perfect approach to a cover image.