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Swift Press Harold Wilson.
Harold Wilson was one of the most successful politicians of the twentieth century. Prime Minister from 1964-70, and again from 1974-76, he won four elections as well as a referendum on UK membership of the European Community. The achievements of the Wilson Era – from legalising homosexuality to protecting ethnic minorities, from women's rights to the Open University – radically improved ordinary people's lives for the better.
In Harold Wilson, former Labour cabinet minister and bestselling author Alan Johnson presents a portrait of a truly twentieth-century man, whose 'white heat' speech proclaimed a scientific and technological revolution – and who was as much a part of the sixties as the Beatles and the Profumo scandal.
In Harold Wilson, former Labour cabinet minister and bestselling author Alan Johnson presents a portrait of a truly twentieth-century man, whose 'white heat' speech proclaimed a scientific and technological revolution – and who was as much a part of the sixties as the Beatles and the Profumo scandal.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 1, 2025
‘Harold Wilson’s… mastery of the political arts was unceasingly displayed, to the confounding of the prophets, the discomfiture of his critics and the helpless rage of his political opponents.’
Bernard Levin
With this quote, Alan Johnson concludes his masterful biography of Harold Wilson, one of the foremost politicians of the twentieth century.
I have long admired Harold Wilson. He was Prime Minister when I was born, then having just won his second general election with a landslide victory. His twinkling intelligence and good humour are fondly-remembered features of my childhood.
Of course, I now know how that good natured ease hid (none too well) a prodigious intellect, a deep passion for fairness and social justice, a profound belief in the value of education, and unmatched political savvy.
With insight, wit and empathy, Alan Johnson’s exploration of Wilson the man and the politician is written with the confident understanding of another fine politician who has held senior office. While relatively brief, the biography addresses the key aspects of Wilson’s career, the challenges and the many achievements, political, economic and social.
On a personal note, as a former and current student at the Open University, Wilson’s support for the development of that institution is just one of many reasons for my admiration.
Alan Johnson is justifiably recognised as a fine writer of memoir, fiction and biography; ‘Harold Wilson’ will only strengthen this reputation.
Bernard Levin
With this quote, Alan Johnson concludes his masterful biography of Harold Wilson, one of the foremost politicians of the twentieth century.
I have long admired Harold Wilson. He was Prime Minister when I was born, then having just won his second general election with a landslide victory. His twinkling intelligence and good humour are fondly-remembered features of my childhood.
Of course, I now know how that good natured ease hid (none too well) a prodigious intellect, a deep passion for fairness and social justice, a profound belief in the value of education, and unmatched political savvy.
With insight, wit and empathy, Alan Johnson’s exploration of Wilson the man and the politician is written with the confident understanding of another fine politician who has held senior office. While relatively brief, the biography addresses the key aspects of Wilson’s career, the challenges and the many achievements, political, economic and social.
On a personal note, as a former and current student at the Open University, Wilson’s support for the development of that institution is just one of many reasons for my admiration.
Alan Johnson is justifiably recognised as a fine writer of memoir, fiction and biography; ‘Harold Wilson’ will only strengthen this reputation.
October 15, 2025
A magnificent short biography of one of the United Kingdom's most consequential Prime Ministers of the twentieth century.
Johnson has a truly accessible writing style outlining his subject's life and qualities (and one or two less admirable ones to go alongside them).
Johnson has a truly accessible writing style outlining his subject's life and qualities (and one or two less admirable ones to go alongside them).
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews