Dear public servants (yes, you, on your lunch break),
You have been whispering your truths with trusted colleagues in corridors for years. Amber has decided to put hers in writing. Hooseland has a new government, and this time it is personal...
Amber knows this particular Minister better than most (they have history), which is why this time the letters go to an old email address from her university days, and arrive furious. There are diary entries now too, for everything too risky to send, and the mixtape carries the vibe.
If you have ever been asked to 'soften' an evidence based briefing or been through a restructure, your stories all in here, unredacted. What began as a stream of missives on the state of the nation has yet again turned into trouble for Amber. If you are the sort who stays late and cares too much. You are not as alone as you think...
Also available on Amazon as a Kindle ebook or print-on-demand paperback.
As a career public servant (although I called myself a government servant, but that's another story), I found Amber Guette's very readable book of letters enthralling. Each chapter is a new letter; they are easy to read, witty, and at times caustic. Having personally worked closely with 7 ministers and 3 prime ministers in the Executive of the New Zealand Parliament, I was amazed at how much Amber appeared to know of my activities. I could identify myself, my department, and my Ministers in nearly every letter! How could she know this? The delightful, easy to read book is the result of research into the public service and government in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. That's how she knows so much. I recommend this book to everyone who has an interest in democracy and the inner workings of departments and ministers' offices.
