Smash hit

Cameron himself has chosen a less demanding way to start his summer break in Cornwall. He has been spotted leafing through Devil May Care, the pacy new James Bond book by Sebastian Faulks.

It is not known what important monographs Gordon Brown took to Suffolk. Last summer he let it be known he consumed The Age of Turbulence, by his friend Alan Greenspan, the former chairman of the US Federal Reserve, and The Assault on Reason, the latest doom-mongering epic from Al Gore.

This will suit you, sir

Politicians’ summer reading, as imagined by Roland White

George Bush: War and Peace

Available at a special discount as the section on “peace” seems to be missing.

Gordon Brown: A Tale of Two Cities

For the prime minister, a special edition that opens with the words: “It was the worst of times, it was the worst of times.” The story ends with that poignant moment when Sydney Carton faces his inevitable fate: “It is a far, far better thing that I get on with the job in hand and set out my vision for the country.”

David Cameron: Great Expectations

The story of an amiable young man who dreams that one day he will move into a prestigious London address. Remember, though, that in the Dickens novel the hero is scuppered by an illegal donation from a well-known crook (Magwitch).

Nicolas Sarkozy: Wuthering Heights

Perhaps the only way the French president will ever get inside the mind of Gordon “Heathcliff” Brown.

David Miliband: Oliver Twist

The story of a little boy who got into trouble by asking for more.

Silvio Berlusconi: Mrs Mills Solves All Your Problems

Dear Mrs Mills, I just can’t stop saying the first thing that comes into my head. Especially when I’m with women. As I am the prime minister of Italy, this can be embarrassing. Can you help? PS. You have beautiful breasts for an Englishwoman.

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