British contemporary historian Sir Anthony Seldon critically explores the prime minister's role in Britain and how it has evolved in its 300 years of existence.

Robert Walpole and Boris Johnson – Britain's first and latest prime ministers – were both educated at Eton and then Oxbridge, 300 years apart.

Some aspects of leading Britain don't change. But there are plenty of aspects to Johnson's leadership that Walpole would not recognize.

British educator and historian Sir Anthony Seldon has written more than 35 books, with a particular focus on modern politics.

Seldon is a recognized expert on British prime ministers, having authored biographies on Margaret Thatcher, John Major, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron, and Theresa May.

Published in 2021, The Impossible Office? was written to mark 300 years since the inception of the office of British prime minister in 1721.

The book examines the various powers, resources, and constraints that prime ministers have faced, and how to best take on the most powerful position in Britain.