What do you think?
Rate this book
Flying Free
In an age of colourless bureaucrats, Nigel Farage is a politician you are unable to ignore, causing controversy and admiration in equal measure. What cannot be denied is the effect he has had on British and European politics. A fun-loving iconoclast whose motto is “work hard and play harder”, Farage’s charismatic leadership and determination to battle the forces of anti-libertarianism have made him a Robin Hood figure to many, and propelled his party, UKIP, into a position of real power in the country.
A passionate advocate of living life to the full, Farage’s journey into politics has been fuelled by a desire to resist unnecessary authority. He resents being told what to do, especially by faceless bureaucrats in Europe.
Told with Farage’s customary wit and humour, Fighting Bull is a thoroughly engaging look at an extraordinary life, including the spills – a near fatal car accident and surviving testicular cancer – and the thrills – a boisterous boyhood in London and a career as a City trader, to battling bureaucracy in Europe and defending the nation’s hard-won freedoms against erosion from without and within.
His account of his journey into the Brussels labyrinth is compelling. The book tells of loyalty and treachery in his own ranks and of his struggle to overcome media preconceptions. It features sometimes hilarious and often terrifying encounters with a stellar supporting cast, including Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, Nicolas Sarkozy,José Manuel Barroso, and UKIP’s short-lived, silver-gilt mascot – Robert Kilroy-Silk. In September 2009 Nigel Farage announced he would stand against John Bercow, the newly elected Speaker of the House of Commons, in his Buckingham constituency in the next election, despite a modern convention that the speaker is not challenged for re-election. Fighting Bull is a candid, colourful life story by a fascinating and controversial character. It also shows that one fearless, determined individual can still make a difference.
A passionate advocate of living life to the full, Farage’s journey into politics has been fuelled by a desire to resist unnecessary authority. He resents being told what to do, especially by faceless bureaucrats in Europe.
Told with Farage’s customary wit and humour, Fighting Bull is a thoroughly engaging look at an extraordinary life, including the spills – a near fatal car accident and surviving testicular cancer – and the thrills – a boisterous boyhood in London and a career as a City trader, to battling bureaucracy in Europe and defending the nation’s hard-won freedoms against erosion from without and within.
His account of his journey into the Brussels labyrinth is compelling. The book tells of loyalty and treachery in his own ranks and of his struggle to overcome media preconceptions. It features sometimes hilarious and often terrifying encounters with a stellar supporting cast, including Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, Nicolas Sarkozy,José Manuel Barroso, and UKIP’s short-lived, silver-gilt mascot – Robert Kilroy-Silk. In September 2009 Nigel Farage announced he would stand against John Bercow, the newly elected Speaker of the House of Commons, in his Buckingham constituency in the next election, despite a modern convention that the speaker is not challenged for re-election. Fighting Bull is a candid, colourful life story by a fascinating and controversial character. It also shows that one fearless, determined individual can still make a difference.
256 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2010
10 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Nigel Farage
9 books39 followersFarage began his career in 1982 as a commodities trader at the London Metal Exchange and years later ran his own metals brokerage firm.
He left a successful career behind to go into politics after the Conservative party signed the Maastricht Treaty, which advocated “ever closer union” between European nations. He became a founding member of UKIP in 1993 and set about campaigning for Britain’s EU withdrawal. In 2014, under Farage’s leadership, UKIP came first in the European election topping the poll in the UK with 4.5 million votes and in doing so becoming the first political party since 1906 to win a national election that was not the Labour or Conservative parties.
This successful result eventually forced the Conservative party to hold a referendum on European Union membership. In June 2016, Farage was a leading figure in the campaign to leave. This gained him the name “Mr Brexit” by Republican Presidential candidate Donald J Trump, whom he supported at a rally on the campaign trail. Nigel Farage was one of the very few that predicted that Donald Trump would win the presidential elections and was the first foreign politician to meet the newly elected President in Trump Tower just days after his historic win.
With it seeming he had won the day, Nigel stepped back from frontline politics, providing political analysis for Fox News in America and presenting a daily show on LBC radio and writing for the Daily Telegraph. In early 2019, he was forced back into Westminster politics in order to stop the Brexit betrayal, founding his new ‘Brexit Party’ to win the May elections in just six weeks of campaigning. This made Nigel the only man in British political history to win two national elections with two different parties.
With Brexit finally secured it looks as though 27 years of hard work has paid off. However, Nigel continues to hold the feet of the ruling Conservative party to the fire as a campaigner and political commentator across British and American media.
He left a successful career behind to go into politics after the Conservative party signed the Maastricht Treaty, which advocated “ever closer union” between European nations. He became a founding member of UKIP in 1993 and set about campaigning for Britain’s EU withdrawal. In 2014, under Farage’s leadership, UKIP came first in the European election topping the poll in the UK with 4.5 million votes and in doing so becoming the first political party since 1906 to win a national election that was not the Labour or Conservative parties.
This successful result eventually forced the Conservative party to hold a referendum on European Union membership. In June 2016, Farage was a leading figure in the campaign to leave. This gained him the name “Mr Brexit” by Republican Presidential candidate Donald J Trump, whom he supported at a rally on the campaign trail. Nigel Farage was one of the very few that predicted that Donald Trump would win the presidential elections and was the first foreign politician to meet the newly elected President in Trump Tower just days after his historic win.
With it seeming he had won the day, Nigel stepped back from frontline politics, providing political analysis for Fox News in America and presenting a daily show on LBC radio and writing for the Daily Telegraph. In early 2019, he was forced back into Westminster politics in order to stop the Brexit betrayal, founding his new ‘Brexit Party’ to win the May elections in just six weeks of campaigning. This made Nigel the only man in British political history to win two national elections with two different parties.
With Brexit finally secured it looks as though 27 years of hard work has paid off. However, Nigel continues to hold the feet of the ruling Conservative party to the fire as a campaigner and political commentator across British and American media.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 20, 2015
Im not sure where to start. Im not exactly the sort of voter that is on UKIP and Farage's radar, shall we say. I am certainly no sympathiser of any opinion or stance that merely glances towards the wing of right. So can someone tell me why I both enjoyed this book and agreed with a lot of what he had to say?
I mean, come on. He certainly isn't going to make a fan out of me (let alone a dissenter of principles) gushing endearingly about his encounter with Enoch Powell and what a great bloke he was, neither am I going to warm to you for comparing the management and depletion of fish stocks to slavery or the EU as a governing body as a serial date rapist, but yet I am curiously drawn to what a lot of it seems basic common sense and clever and sound reformist suggestions.
Whereas, a tougher line on immigration is high on its list and the fact that his party really have overlooked giving responsibility within to some very dubious sorts over the years, UKIP are certainly not racist. They are certainly no BNP, who Farage describes as vile. In fact, even though he comes across generally arrogant and smug and prances about like some chippy Sgt Major sort, he really is just a harmless chap that yearns wistfully for simpler things and times and fears only change and the loss of ones cultural identity and the idea that we are forced to do so by a larger epiric unelected entity, who use our "hard-earned" (Well, most) taxes wastefully and criminally elsewhere from our green and pleasant land, this fair isle of ours. Of cream teas, village fetes, cricket and the lark.
But the country isn't like that and times do change. He is dismissive and tetchy from the word go upon his arrival as an MEP in Brussels and tries wherever to kick up a stink. He has every right to, but admits he gets carried away somewhat. Which tends to undermine his argument. He wishes for not only electoral reform, but less of centralized government and for us as a whole to become more of a self governing, inclusive community. A lot of which, strangely, I find Russell Brand echoing at times. The frustrations are certainly the same, even if the ideologies sometimes are not parallel.
It is definitely worth a read. I didn't come away vengeful or incredulous as very much a leftie, but then I thrive on nothing more than discovering how people of opposite opinions tick and whether or not these intriguing characters have more in common with I than I first thought. I wouldn't turn down a long, fascinating chinwag over a few pints of handpulled, that's for sure. I would just hope he would check his braggadocio at the door.
I mean, come on. He certainly isn't going to make a fan out of me (let alone a dissenter of principles) gushing endearingly about his encounter with Enoch Powell and what a great bloke he was, neither am I going to warm to you for comparing the management and depletion of fish stocks to slavery or the EU as a governing body as a serial date rapist, but yet I am curiously drawn to what a lot of it seems basic common sense and clever and sound reformist suggestions.
Whereas, a tougher line on immigration is high on its list and the fact that his party really have overlooked giving responsibility within to some very dubious sorts over the years, UKIP are certainly not racist. They are certainly no BNP, who Farage describes as vile. In fact, even though he comes across generally arrogant and smug and prances about like some chippy Sgt Major sort, he really is just a harmless chap that yearns wistfully for simpler things and times and fears only change and the loss of ones cultural identity and the idea that we are forced to do so by a larger epiric unelected entity, who use our "hard-earned" (Well, most) taxes wastefully and criminally elsewhere from our green and pleasant land, this fair isle of ours. Of cream teas, village fetes, cricket and the lark.
But the country isn't like that and times do change. He is dismissive and tetchy from the word go upon his arrival as an MEP in Brussels and tries wherever to kick up a stink. He has every right to, but admits he gets carried away somewhat. Which tends to undermine his argument. He wishes for not only electoral reform, but less of centralized government and for us as a whole to become more of a self governing, inclusive community. A lot of which, strangely, I find Russell Brand echoing at times. The frustrations are certainly the same, even if the ideologies sometimes are not parallel.
It is definitely worth a read. I didn't come away vengeful or incredulous as very much a leftie, but then I thrive on nothing more than discovering how people of opposite opinions tick and whether or not these intriguing characters have more in common with I than I first thought. I wouldn't turn down a long, fascinating chinwag over a few pints of handpulled, that's for sure. I would just hope he would check his braggadocio at the door.
February 8, 2020
A great account by the man himself of the journey of the man himself - Mr. Brexit.
Love him or hate him Farage is quite what it says on the tin, and in this narrative he takes us through a series of stories outlining how he came to be a Marmite Man, and wound up leading UKIP (United Kingdom Independence Party). Now we know how it turned out - with Brexiteers winning 2 European elections, 2 general elections and a referendum, before finally securing freedom from the EU. But the book ends in 2011 - long before the outcome was really deemed feasible.
You don't really need to be a fan of Farage to enjoy this book. He is a good storyteller. And his description of the workings of the EU Parliament (of which he was an MEP) is amusing and informative. Similarly for his description of a terrible plane crash he endured.
I look forward to the next installment - covering 2011-Feb 2020.
Love him or hate him Farage is quite what it says on the tin, and in this narrative he takes us through a series of stories outlining how he came to be a Marmite Man, and wound up leading UKIP (United Kingdom Independence Party). Now we know how it turned out - with Brexiteers winning 2 European elections, 2 general elections and a referendum, before finally securing freedom from the EU. But the book ends in 2011 - long before the outcome was really deemed feasible.
You don't really need to be a fan of Farage to enjoy this book. He is a good storyteller. And his description of the workings of the EU Parliament (of which he was an MEP) is amusing and informative. Similarly for his description of a terrible plane crash he endured.
I look forward to the next installment - covering 2011-Feb 2020.
April 18, 2020
A good book, although slightly outdated. So much has happened in Farage’s career since 2011 that this book is a little outdated. Regardless, this is an enjoyable and often humorous read. This book is divided into two parts; I only read the first part. I bought this book as I was interested in finding out about Farage and his background. Part 1 focuses on his early life, his family history, school life and early career in the City- this is what I was most interested in. I already know a great deal about his career in the European Parliament and about UKIP. I therefore omitted Part Two. A worthwhile read if you can acquire it. However, it would be good idea if he wrote an autobiography now. So much has happened since 2011 in his life that his second autobiography would be much more interesting!
July 3, 2013
If you never have heard of Nigel Farage, you are doing yourself a great disservice by remaining clueless as to who he is. If you do know who Nigel Farage is, you clearly will agree with the first sentence.
Nigel is very much a cerebral person, enabling him to be one of the most articulate individuals I have ever had the pleasure to listen to. During his speeches before the European Union, he literally toys with those who oppose his positions, evolving into a cause célèbre, given his strident defense of his beliefs before a morass, unimaginative and inarticulate collection of bureaucratic miscreants.
This book provides insight into Farage’s life, views and beliefs. Arguably, it has limited appeal, particularly to Americans who likely have never heard of him. Nevertheless, I enjoyed this book and believe anyone who looks forward to the next YouTube clip of Nigel’s most recent speech, will enjoy this publication.
Nigel is very much a cerebral person, enabling him to be one of the most articulate individuals I have ever had the pleasure to listen to. During his speeches before the European Union, he literally toys with those who oppose his positions, evolving into a cause célèbre, given his strident defense of his beliefs before a morass, unimaginative and inarticulate collection of bureaucratic miscreants.
This book provides insight into Farage’s life, views and beliefs. Arguably, it has limited appeal, particularly to Americans who likely have never heard of him. Nevertheless, I enjoyed this book and believe anyone who looks forward to the next YouTube clip of Nigel’s most recent speech, will enjoy this publication.
December 29, 2014
I wasn't expecting a page turner. How wrong was I.....You can't help admire the rise in status of Nigel Garage and the impact he is making in politics. A charismatic character. He is not afraid of hard work and taking on the establishment and yet his ideology makes good sense...loved the insight into the exploitation of MEP parliamentary expenses even though he did try to distance himself from any scandal. British politics needs characters....eloquently written. Surprised he is not an alcoholic with the amount of social appetite this man has....but his motto is work hard, play even harder.
March 29, 2014
Love him or hate him?. Support his views or not?
In light of the recent gladiatorial televised debate between Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage - Clegg may have had the smartest armour but Farage wielded the 'Sword of Truth'.
In light of the recent gladiatorial televised debate between Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage - Clegg may have had the smartest armour but Farage wielded the 'Sword of Truth'.
February 23, 2015
Don't think I'd want him as Prime Minister. Best parts were the account of the plane crash and the epilogue - some good common sense ideas without the political language that bores me so much (and goes over my head).
September 23, 2016
I first met Nigel in the Nineties when I helped in the office with Craig McKinley and Kirsten. Later in the Naughties I became UKIPS office manager.
The book is very useful if you want to find out more about this man of the moment.
well written in an easy readable style.
The book is very useful if you want to find out more about this man of the moment.
well written in an easy readable style.
December 15, 2010
Enjoyed the read, well written, great autobiography of his journey so far. Big Fan.
July 29, 2014
An eye-opener!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews