Jeremy Corbyn: Accidental Hero

by W. Stephen Gilbert

Literary Nonfiction. Political Biography. How did modest backbench MP Jeremy Corbyn come virtually out of nowhere to lead the parliamentary opposition, as the most avowedly non-conformist Labour leader in British history? Is his leadership built to last? Will those in the Labour party who reject his policies and principles seek to have him replaced? Will Corbyn self-destruct or become a game-changer? British politics is poised at a fascinating and unpredictable juncture.

Genres: Politics

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2015

Reviews

[Gemma]

Excellent book. Clear, factual and shows his journey in life. Highly recommended

[Anne Tucker]

good introduction - it is a bit out of date now as it was written before the election. But it gives a sound analysis (always useful when you are 'living through' something as its hard to sort out movements and lucky chances). I knew him during the Cruise Missile/Greenham days as he spoke often at events i was co-organising, but have missed much of the last 20 years of development of his thought.

[Joseph Ramsden]

Whipped through this as I’m meeting the author tomorrow. No need for a spoiler alert, the book’s called ‘Accidental Hero’ so no surprise that it’s pro-Corbyn. That said, it details his recent history well. Gilbert is a funny man too; having read (and struggled with) Richard Seymour’s ‘Corbyn’ earlier in the year, this book had me laughing throughout.

[Joseph Busa]

One for the Corbynistas!

Concise and to the point little book detailing the life and rise through the Labour Party of a man that our great nation's "free press" loves to hate.

[Rosalie Morris]

Quite clearly biased (could have guessed this from the title) but contained some interesting information. It didn't really seem to have a conclusion or a plotline, but fairly enjoyable.

[Jack]

Feel like pure shit just want him back 😢 x

(2015 feels like a lifetime ago)

[Ian D. Smith]

This excellent book rights many wrongs, and gives a clear description of how the left can gain power under Corbyn's conviction politics. Faults may be to dwell too long debunking every mainstream media and party political smear campaign and conflation. Move on. Who cares about that when there is so much policy to talk about? Needs to dwell more on what Corbyn is for: peace, prosperity, democracy, unity, solidarity, fairness, and equality, as well as what he's against, but I was convinced by a brilliant and unexpected section comparing and contrasting negative media treatment of that other conviction politician, Margaret Thatcher, and how she gained power by sticking to her guns even though she was known to be wrong (industry), or deceiving people (Westland). People like a stickler. Five star for political intrigue and enlightenment.

[Kriegslok]

A very good readable account of the rise of Jeremy Corbyn to leadership of the Labour Party, the outrage that this caused to the Labour Part establishment as the great unwashed elected the sort of leader they wanted (and screwed up lots of carefully laid plans to career politics and lucrative directorships) and predictions of possible futures. The BBC led story of Corbyns anti-Semetic Blackshirts rampage to bring fascism through Labour shows that Gilbert wasn't paranoid enough in his writing about where it might all lead. A very good introduction to Corbyn, the early hours of leadership.

[Sean Coules]

Nice little introduction to the political career of the current Labour reader. As its publication date was October 2015 ( just after Jeremy won the leadership election) I sense it was a bit of a rush job . Nonetheless it's still worth a read

[Pinko Palest]

not much original material, but a pithy and sympathetic summary of the leadership election and the First months of Corbn's leadership nevertheless