I love this cover. While so many political biographies show their subjects gazing wistfully — modestly — into the middle distance, the direct image and the in-your-face text give this an immediacy similar to Paul McKenna’s (see our post on I Can Make You Thin), while the limited but bold colour palette makes the whole thing hang together in a very satisfying way. All together, the whole jacket backs up the grand and utterly confident title.

This confidence is taken through to the spine, too, giving the book good standout on a rather dull shelf. Even on a smaller scale, the photo is arresting and unusual. His enigmatic expression — slightly troubled but with a twinkle in his eye — and direct gaze really grab your attention. And the pose is a stroke of genius, as it raises lots of questions. Is he getting ready for political battle? Or loosening his tie at the end of  an era?

The fact that Mandelson’s name is the most recessive element on the cover also works to convince us that we should read this book. Here is someone so well-known, so important, that we should recognise his image straight away and can’t afford not to read his story.

Simple…  not particularly pretty… but deadly.