What do you think?
Rate this book
The Long and Winding Road
'Johnson writes with his usual warmth, wit and modesty' Sunday TimesWinner of the Parliamentary Book Award, best memoir by a Parliamentarian, 2016This is politics as you've never seen it before.From the condemned slums of Southam Street in West London to the corridors of power in Westminster, Alan Johnson’s multi-award-winning autobiography charts an extraordinary journey, almost unimaginable in today’s Britain. This third volume tells of Alan’s early political skirmishes as a trades union leader, where his negotiating skills and charismatic style soon came to the notice of Tony Blair and other senior members of the Labour Party.As a result, Alan was chosen to stand in the constituency of Hull West and Hessle, and entered Parliament as an MP after the landslide election victory for Labour in May 1997. But this is no self-aggrandizing memoir of Westminster politicking and skulduggery. Supporting the struggle of his constituents, the Hull trawlermen and their families, for justice comes more naturally to Alan than do the byzantine complexities of Parliamentary procedure. But of course he does succeed there, and rises through various ministerial positions to the office of Home Secretary in 2009.In The Long and Winding Road, Alan’s characteristic honesty and authenticity shine through every word. His book takes you into a world which is at once familiar and this is politics as you’ve never seen it before…
348 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 8, 2016
69 people are currently reading
285 people want to read
About the author
Alan Johnson
15 books57 followersAlan Arthur Johnson (born 17 May 1950) is a British politician who served as Secretary of State for the Home Department from 2009 to 2010 and Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2010 to 2011. A member of the Labour Party, Johnson served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Hull West and Hessle from 1997 to 2017.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
November 9, 2018
From its compelling opening line, ‘I knew I shouldn’t have gone’, the reader realizes this book isn’t going to be some dry political memoir but a revealing, personal and honest account of a life that has seen its fair share of ups and downs. For example, the author makes reference to his troubled childhood and early family life (explored in more detail in the first volume of his memoirs, This Boy).
Alan Johnson is disarmingly self-deprecating when it comes to recounting anecdotes from his time as a union official, Member of Parliament and Government minister. Not every politician would be as honest as the author in recalling campaign and policy failures or as modest about his many successes on behalf of the union members and constituents he represented. Johnson readily admits to being a late adopter when it comes to new technology, such as mobile phones and email. However, he describes himself as an avid reader so that makes up for almost anything, to my mind!
Alan Johnson comes across as ambitious but not for the sake of personal aggrandizement or in an ‘end justifies the means’ way. Instead, his motivation is to use his influence to change things for the better and improve the lives of others. He notes, ‘Leadership for its own sake was never something I enjoyed…revelling in the position and the authority and the power it brought.’
Johnson’s time as an union official gives him valuable experience of negotiation. He observes at one point, ‘The necessary components of success in negotiating a settlement are mutual respect, and indeed trust, between negotiators, the capacity to see the situation from the point of view of the other side of the table…’ I imagine, here in the UK, many of us can think of a current political situation that would benefit from an approach like that…
The book describes Johnson’s key role in campaigns such as that against Royal Mail privatisation (although he is quick to share the praise with the team he gathered around him) and his very personal campaign to gain justice for the trawlermen of his Hull constituency, deprived of their livelihoods as a result of political decisions but still waiting for the promised Government compensation.
The reader gets a sense of a person who is not ashamed of, nor forgetful of, their roots. For instance, Johnson proudly points out that he was the first Secretary of State for Education to have been a recipient of free school meals and the first Minister of Higher Education not to have gone to university. Never part of any political clique, he notes that, even when a Government minister, his closest friend was still Ernie, a postman at the Slough sorting office; a friendship dating from his earliest days working for the Post Office.
The book is extremely readable and is peppered with concise, descriptive (but never mean) pen portraits of colleagues. There’s a lot of humour in the book and, naturally, Alan Johnson’s love of music, especially that of his heroes The Beatles, shines through. However, there’s sadness too as the author shares with the reader the personal tragedies along ‘The Long and Winding Road’ that have seen him travel from a flat in Thornton Heath, South London to the Palace of Westminster and one of the four Great Offices of State.
Alan Johnson is disarmingly self-deprecating when it comes to recounting anecdotes from his time as a union official, Member of Parliament and Government minister. Not every politician would be as honest as the author in recalling campaign and policy failures or as modest about his many successes on behalf of the union members and constituents he represented. Johnson readily admits to being a late adopter when it comes to new technology, such as mobile phones and email. However, he describes himself as an avid reader so that makes up for almost anything, to my mind!
Alan Johnson comes across as ambitious but not for the sake of personal aggrandizement or in an ‘end justifies the means’ way. Instead, his motivation is to use his influence to change things for the better and improve the lives of others. He notes, ‘Leadership for its own sake was never something I enjoyed…revelling in the position and the authority and the power it brought.’
Johnson’s time as an union official gives him valuable experience of negotiation. He observes at one point, ‘The necessary components of success in negotiating a settlement are mutual respect, and indeed trust, between negotiators, the capacity to see the situation from the point of view of the other side of the table…’ I imagine, here in the UK, many of us can think of a current political situation that would benefit from an approach like that…
The book describes Johnson’s key role in campaigns such as that against Royal Mail privatisation (although he is quick to share the praise with the team he gathered around him) and his very personal campaign to gain justice for the trawlermen of his Hull constituency, deprived of their livelihoods as a result of political decisions but still waiting for the promised Government compensation.
The reader gets a sense of a person who is not ashamed of, nor forgetful of, their roots. For instance, Johnson proudly points out that he was the first Secretary of State for Education to have been a recipient of free school meals and the first Minister of Higher Education not to have gone to university. Never part of any political clique, he notes that, even when a Government minister, his closest friend was still Ernie, a postman at the Slough sorting office; a friendship dating from his earliest days working for the Post Office.
The book is extremely readable and is peppered with concise, descriptive (but never mean) pen portraits of colleagues. There’s a lot of humour in the book and, naturally, Alan Johnson’s love of music, especially that of his heroes The Beatles, shines through. However, there’s sadness too as the author shares with the reader the personal tragedies along ‘The Long and Winding Road’ that have seen him travel from a flat in Thornton Heath, South London to the Palace of Westminster and one of the four Great Offices of State.
January 17, 2019
Third in Johnson’s autobiography series – this time concentrating on: his rise to the top of the Communications union (culminating in his much heralded campaign to defeat Post Office privatisation); his selection (effectively by Tony Blair) as a Labour MP for Hull; his campaigning for the rights of ex-trawler men in his home town (their livelihood destroyed by fishing agreements); and his progression through government (the book ending when he is appointed Home Secretary under Gordon Brown).
Overall an interesting book – the detail just about manages to stay the right side of tedious.
I said of its predecessor “it unwittingly portrays Johnson as someone only in touch with normal life as experienced by people over the age of 50 or in still unionised public services” and while that is equally true here it is very interesting to see how Johnson was at the vanguard of union and Labour Party modernisation (end of closed shop, in favour of things like national minimum wage and mandatory parental rights – both things he ended up helping introduce, pro the abolition of Clause 4, in favour of higher University fees and a form of Graduate Tax as a way to stop University grants as a middle-class subsidy)
The book rarely features unexpected insights into well known public figures whereas by contrast it can be quite personal about lesser known figures such as Civil Servants or Union officials (which I found a strange mix). The book is also very much written as of its time – it finishes with the Home Secretary appointment, around a year before Labour lost power and gives no real backwards looking perspective on those events nor does it try to look for portents of future events or of individuals who became more famous later.
Overall an interesting book – the detail just about manages to stay the right side of tedious.
I said of its predecessor “it unwittingly portrays Johnson as someone only in touch with normal life as experienced by people over the age of 50 or in still unionised public services” and while that is equally true here it is very interesting to see how Johnson was at the vanguard of union and Labour Party modernisation (end of closed shop, in favour of things like national minimum wage and mandatory parental rights – both things he ended up helping introduce, pro the abolition of Clause 4, in favour of higher University fees and a form of Graduate Tax as a way to stop University grants as a middle-class subsidy)
The book rarely features unexpected insights into well known public figures whereas by contrast it can be quite personal about lesser known figures such as Civil Servants or Union officials (which I found a strange mix). The book is also very much written as of its time – it finishes with the Home Secretary appointment, around a year before Labour lost power and gives no real backwards looking perspective on those events nor does it try to look for portents of future events or of individuals who became more famous later.
December 9, 2016
I like Alan Johnson and I enjoyed the previous two books in the series. However, I think he has run out of steam on this volume. Whilst the first two books were insightful and intimate, this one seemed more of a whistle stop precis of the Blair government with little real depth. Shame really
April 29, 2018
Did not enjoy this as much as the first two books by Alan Johnson. Had to skim through the section when Alan was working with the unions as it all rather went over my head. Became a bit more interesting when Alan became an MP and worked his way up to be Home Secretary. Am not that interested in politics so more my fault than the writing. Enjoyed hearing about Alan’ family life and all the people he met.
April 28, 2018
unfortunately I have up. I really tried but there was too much union talk and I wasn't enjoying it. shame - I don't normally give up.
April 11, 2017
this the final part in the autobiography series so far was in my view the most political as it moves the author from being an union official to a MP and other tragic events in his life but some good ones and gives an insight being the influx of the class of 1997 MP's.
October 31, 2016
I enjoyed the final (?) part of his autobiography. it moved into government and the subject matter couldn't be more different to his life in the first book.
February 10, 2018
A completely different beast from first 2 volumes of autobiography. Just as well written but content is really Johnson's cv of his life in Westminster politics. Fascinating but so much less personal and under the skin, for obvious reasons.
October 17, 2020
I've enjoyed the first two of Johnson's memoirs and this was also a great read, despite the fact that this one covered his years in politics. His writing style is interesting and entertaining, and he explains the more technical aspects in an accessible way.
July 21, 2020
This was the 3rd book in the series about the life of Alan Johnson, who came from the slums of West London to rising to the post of Home Secretary in the Labour Government. It covers the period of his life from 1994 to 2010 and is naturally a lot more political as he rose through the post office unions to his life as an MP. Although a readable book it wasn't the same calibre as the previous two books. there were human interest stories but it was mainly a whistle stop journey through his career, almost like a CV. Some of which I found a little tedious.
I loved the fact that he was the first Home Secretary who had free school meals, which I myself also had and went on to have a very successful career.
I loved the fact that he was the first Home Secretary who had free school meals, which I myself also had and went on to have a very successful career.
November 15, 2016
Continuation of Alan Johnson's memoir, this book dealing firstly with his involvement with the Postal Workers Union and then his decision to stand as a Member of Parliament. Have to admit his earlier books were easier reads but there's no doubting Alan Johnson's dedication to do his very best for the people he represents.
October 1, 2019
The first two books in Alan Johnson’s autobiographical trilogy were This Boy, his account of growing up in poverty in Notting Hill, and Please Mister Postman, his recollections of life as a young family man when working as a postman. I’d read and enjoyed both (particularly the first) so had been looking forward to this final volume. It begins when he is forty years old and is working for the Union of Communication Workers and traces the route to his appointment, in 1992, as its General Secretary and to his election as Labour MP for West Hull and Hessle in 1997. It then details his rise through various ministerial jobs in the Blair government before ending, very abruptly, with his 2009 appointment as Home Secretary under Gordon Brown’s leadership.
Although there were some parts of this final book in the trilogy which I enjoyed, my enthusiasm waxed and waned as the story progressed because I found myself becoming bored by the seemingly endless minutiae of the inner workings of the Unions, and the “political” manoeuvrings of its members. His fight against the privatisation of the Royal Mail did offer some fascinating insights into the complexity of the negotiations but I found myself struggling to maintain my interest when subjected to so such minute detail.
It was interesting to learn how it was an “out of the blue” phone call from Tony Blair which led to his selection as an MP. Responding to, rather than seeking, opportunities during his career appears to be ingrained in his psyche; however, the fact that he took them, and achieved such levels of success, demonstrates that he doesn’t lack ambition. It’s clear from his writing that he is not a natural political or social networker (he describes himself as something of an introvert) and this probably goes some way to explaining why he is often described as “the best prime minister we never had”! However, his dogged persistence to right the decades-long injustice suffered by the Hull deep-sea trawlermen, who lost their livelihoods when the industry collapsed following the 1970s Icelandic Cod Wars, offers just one example demonstrating that this is a man whose central strength is that he cares deeply for the people he was representing. Having eventually been promised compensation in 1993, they didn’t receive it until July 2000, following Johnson’s determination to support their campaign and ensure a full settlement. Many of his reflections on the seismic changes within the Labour Party, which led to its unprecedented electoral success over a thirteen-year period, were interesting and insightful, capturing the positive achievements, but also reminding me of some of the more negative legacies from those years!
However, it is when describing his family, his childhood, his interactions with friends and colleagues and describing the effects of personal tragedies that Alan Johnson’s writing feels at its best, full of honesty, warmth and humour. He appears to lack any of the pomposity so often associated with politicians – in fact he is often at his most humorous when sharing a self-deprecating story! His passionate enthusiasm about the part books and music play in his life (from the titles he chose it will come as no surprise that he remains a Beatles’ fan!) threads its way through this story, thus reinforcing the image of a decent, multi-faceted man, and enabling me to get through the more tedious sections!
Although there were some parts of this final book in the trilogy which I enjoyed, my enthusiasm waxed and waned as the story progressed because I found myself becoming bored by the seemingly endless minutiae of the inner workings of the Unions, and the “political” manoeuvrings of its members. His fight against the privatisation of the Royal Mail did offer some fascinating insights into the complexity of the negotiations but I found myself struggling to maintain my interest when subjected to so such minute detail.
It was interesting to learn how it was an “out of the blue” phone call from Tony Blair which led to his selection as an MP. Responding to, rather than seeking, opportunities during his career appears to be ingrained in his psyche; however, the fact that he took them, and achieved such levels of success, demonstrates that he doesn’t lack ambition. It’s clear from his writing that he is not a natural political or social networker (he describes himself as something of an introvert) and this probably goes some way to explaining why he is often described as “the best prime minister we never had”! However, his dogged persistence to right the decades-long injustice suffered by the Hull deep-sea trawlermen, who lost their livelihoods when the industry collapsed following the 1970s Icelandic Cod Wars, offers just one example demonstrating that this is a man whose central strength is that he cares deeply for the people he was representing. Having eventually been promised compensation in 1993, they didn’t receive it until July 2000, following Johnson’s determination to support their campaign and ensure a full settlement. Many of his reflections on the seismic changes within the Labour Party, which led to its unprecedented electoral success over a thirteen-year period, were interesting and insightful, capturing the positive achievements, but also reminding me of some of the more negative legacies from those years!
However, it is when describing his family, his childhood, his interactions with friends and colleagues and describing the effects of personal tragedies that Alan Johnson’s writing feels at its best, full of honesty, warmth and humour. He appears to lack any of the pomposity so often associated with politicians – in fact he is often at his most humorous when sharing a self-deprecating story! His passionate enthusiasm about the part books and music play in his life (from the titles he chose it will come as no surprise that he remains a Beatles’ fan!) threads its way through this story, thus reinforcing the image of a decent, multi-faceted man, and enabling me to get through the more tedious sections!
July 26, 2017
Alan Johnson is a fascinating and engaging politician with a remarkable life story that could have turned out so differently . Brought up by his sister in post war London after the untimely death of his mother and abandonment by his father, he has written movingly in previous books about how his sister and he could easily have fallen into the social care system were it not for the determination of his sister.
This book mainly covers the period from 1994 to 2010 during which time Alan was elected General Secretary of the Communications Workers Union and then convinced by Tony Blair to stand for parliament in 1997. Successfully elected he then goes on to a number of junior and senior ministerial jobs culminating in one of the grand offices of state as Home Secretary.
His insight into the political movements of the time are sharp and interesting as the long period of Labour government drew to a close. Certainly wistfulness abounded in me as I recalled those times and the paucity of good leaders since then.
I warm to Alan Johnson not least because of his self awareness and willingness to admit he is not a social person, comfortable in solitude, all the more remarkable considering his political career. Also his determination to keep private matters private is to be admired. During the timespan of this book he suffered an awful personal tragedy as well as another significant personal set back neither of which are pored over in detail.
An interesting and enjoyable book from an interesting and admirable person.
This book mainly covers the period from 1994 to 2010 during which time Alan was elected General Secretary of the Communications Workers Union and then convinced by Tony Blair to stand for parliament in 1997. Successfully elected he then goes on to a number of junior and senior ministerial jobs culminating in one of the grand offices of state as Home Secretary.
His insight into the political movements of the time are sharp and interesting as the long period of Labour government drew to a close. Certainly wistfulness abounded in me as I recalled those times and the paucity of good leaders since then.
I warm to Alan Johnson not least because of his self awareness and willingness to admit he is not a social person, comfortable in solitude, all the more remarkable considering his political career. Also his determination to keep private matters private is to be admired. During the timespan of this book he suffered an awful personal tragedy as well as another significant personal set back neither of which are pored over in detail.
An interesting and enjoyable book from an interesting and admirable person.
January 25, 2025
I listened to this having heard the previous volume of Alan Johnson's memoir which ended just as he got a more senior position within his trade union. I was more interested in his working life than his personal life so I hoped this volume would offer insights into how the unions and politics work from the perspective of a succcessful insider. I was somewhat disappointed because although this volume was well-written like the previous one, it was quite factual rather than reflective. It reported a sequence of events and interactions but didn't really give a sense of what it was like to be in the posts he was in. For example, Johnson discusses his position on the second Iraq war in a succinct and dry way when presumably passions were running very high on both sides in Parliament when decisions about whether the UK would join the US in an invasion were being made. I wanted to know what it like to live through that time, not which way he voted and why. There were a few glimpses into how the systems operate, such as him becoming an MP in a totally undemocratic way (chosen by Tony Blair for a safe seat in a first-past-the-post system (which he did try to change)), and the absurd rapidity with which he was moved from one ministerial position to another.
I thought this book was well-writtten and interesting but I think it could have been much more, even within the constraints of what can be said as a former minister and a decent person.
I thought this book was well-writtten and interesting but I think it could have been much more, even within the constraints of what can be said as a former minister and a decent person.
December 19, 2021
A bit drier than the warmly-personal, familial growing-up narratives of This Boy and Please Mr Postman, due to the book's necessary cataloguing of Johnson's career via his beloved trade union, Parliament, and government. Yet he remains grounded, always more at home with those of similar humble background than with senior politicians and the political classes. If his position on the spectrum of social democratic/socialist politics won't be in agreement with all readers (me included), he continues to come across as his own man, open in stating his views, and honest in claiming both successes, and admitting mistakes. He also gives informative insights to the often-mysterious workings of trades unions, Parliament, and government. My usual yardstick Would I Go For A Pint With This Individual? of judging the worth of biographies, applied here, would result in an emphatic Yes, although I'd be steering the conversation away from Iraq, and towards The Beatles and Queens Park Rangers.
April 26, 2019
I’ve read Alan Johnson’s previous volumes of autobiography, and found them extremely readable and interesting. Having also heard him speak, I know that it is his personality which shines through these books.I have to confess to finding this slightly less engaging than the others as I struggled to follow the intricacies of his Trade Union work. However I have still enjoyed this as Johnson explains the more tricky political events, policies et cetera with a simplicity which makes it accessible. His humour is also very evident.
I think my strongest feeling on completing this book, is of what a thoroughly decent, honest, human and humble man he is. I have little time for politicians but think he must be the exception to the rule.
I think my strongest feeling on completing this book, is of what a thoroughly decent, honest, human and humble man he is. I have little time for politicians but think he must be the exception to the rule.
October 28, 2019
Here is the third and last part of Labour Minister Alan Johnson, started in the slums of North Kensington en the 50ies and finished in Whitehall in 2009.
A great destiny narrated with a delightful style with plenty a funny anecdotes that covers 20 years of British history (the 90ies and the 2000). This third part is the least interesting to me though, it is all happening in Whitehall or in Downing street, we no longer have the in-depth dive into a working class British family as in the first 2 parts.
It still remain a gripping book, a must read for someone - like me- who lives not far from the villainous Southam Street that gives an idea of the drastic changes observed in London over the last 80 years.
A great destiny narrated with a delightful style with plenty a funny anecdotes that covers 20 years of British history (the 90ies and the 2000). This third part is the least interesting to me though, it is all happening in Whitehall or in Downing street, we no longer have the in-depth dive into a working class British family as in the first 2 parts.
It still remain a gripping book, a must read for someone - like me- who lives not far from the villainous Southam Street that gives an idea of the drastic changes observed in London over the last 80 years.
December 8, 2018
Having now read all three of Alan Johnson's memoirs (rated 5, 3 and now 2.5) I can say that this offering is not a patch on the first one and not as interesting as the second. The first part of the book, about Johnson's union work was boring to read and went into too much mundane detail. There also seemed to be a fair bit of odd filler. While I did find the trawler men's injustices very interesting and I would probably now read more about this elsewhere, it didn't exactly make sense to me why it was in such detail in a memoir. When Johnson did write more on a personal level it was again excellent, but there was too much business content for my liking this time around.
February 7, 2019
This is the third volume of Alan Johnson’s memoirs, and like his idols, the Beatles, this is where he reaches “the toppermost of the poppermost”. He becomes the leader of a big Trade Union and then trades that life in to become an MP ending up as a Cabinet Minister in the Blair/Brown governments.
Given the start in life he had: an abusive father who abandoned his family, a mother who died young, to end up as Home Secretary is one hell of an achievement. There has been tragedy along the way, and this volume is no different - another unexpected death comes out of the blue.
This trilogy of books tells the story of a very rare breed - a human, and decent, politician.
Given the start in life he had: an abusive father who abandoned his family, a mother who died young, to end up as Home Secretary is one hell of an achievement. There has been tragedy along the way, and this volume is no different - another unexpected death comes out of the blue.
This trilogy of books tells the story of a very rare breed - a human, and decent, politician.
May 17, 2017
Once again a superb chunk of autobiography. Perhaps with one eye on not populating the book with excess ministerial data and policy formulation as must be tempting for any high ranking politician, Johnson continues from the first two volumes with the emphasis on wry observation and great descriptive prose about those around him and his own incredible journey.
Highly recommended - my only slight criticism is that the book covers nearly two decades of very high office in trade unionism and Government and could have warranted two books on this period.
Highly recommended - my only slight criticism is that the book covers nearly two decades of very high office in trade unionism and Government and could have warranted two books on this period.
January 6, 2018
Each of Alan Johnson's biographical memoirs has been both enjoyable and revealing, not just about his life, although that is extremely well done, but about the cultural environment. He writes very clearly and helps his reader to see what is happening in a very straightforward way, without it being 'heavy'. As with all autobiography we see it all through the author's eyes, but in Alan's case this feels like a very interesting privilege, particularly as he takes us into Westminster with the eyes initially of an outsider.
April 6, 2020
Taking us from union leadership (Communication Workers Union - Post Office), through becoming an MP and into ministerial life, until he became Home Secretary.
There appears to have been no structured path in this progress, indeed having been approached by Tony Blair into becoming an MP, there was no guarantee about any progress beyond being a constituency. He also talks about slight uncomfortableness in being parachuted into a Hull constituency, but becoming quickly in love with the city and its workers, in particular the former deep sea fishermen.
There appears to have been no structured path in this progress, indeed having been approached by Tony Blair into becoming an MP, there was no guarantee about any progress beyond being a constituency. He also talks about slight uncomfortableness in being parachuted into a Hull constituency, but becoming quickly in love with the city and its workers, in particular the former deep sea fishermen.
April 30, 2022
Having read Alan’s earlier autobiography I knew much of his difficult upbringing. Apart from the long protracted career in the UCW and CWU i was interested in his political journey in mainly Blair’s Labour Government. The various positions held appears to have been relatively successful and it was interesting to hear of his thoughts about key personnel and his support staff. It was well written and contained both humour and details of his musical interest spanning three marriages. I look forward to seeking out his postal experiences.
September 26, 2022
As Alan Johnson rises up the Government ladder in this 3rd volume of his autobiography he retains the characteristics demonstrated in the earlier volumes; honest, self-deprecating, a servant of the electorate - as opposed to most politicians - humble and committed to his family and constituents. How many politicians have taken on such historic causes as well as planning for improvements that would benefit society long after just the next election?
If all Politicians were like this man what a wonderful world we would be living in!
If all Politicians were like this man what a wonderful world we would be living in!
May 16, 2023
I thought this interesting memoir was well written and straightforward. Self deprecating and sometimes rather understated this man as a politician seemed to be someone who set out to do a good job. Respect is therefore due considering what we have lived through since.
I'm a contemporary of Alan Johnson's, just a little bit younger but not by much and have lived and experienced similar times from a different perspective. For me, this book had some valuable insights and comments , experiences of events and political happenings that I saw as a voter and as someone just trying to get on with life through changing times.
Worthy of a read, I thought.
I'm a contemporary of Alan Johnson's, just a little bit younger but not by much and have lived and experienced similar times from a different perspective. For me, this book had some valuable insights and comments , experiences of events and political happenings that I saw as a voter and as someone just trying to get on with life through changing times.
Worthy of a read, I thought.
August 19, 2024
Better than the middle volume as when Johnson finally gets into parliament and soon becomes a minister the story gets interesting. The first half of the book is more union procedure and names of colleagues I don't know: not very interesting. Most of the way through there are interludes when he talks about his family: the father who left when Alan was ten, the sister who went to Australia but somehow they're not as engaging as they were in volume one, the childhood one in the slums of North Kensington. So, not brilliant, and certainly nothing like as engaging as book one, but worth reading.
August 25, 2017
Much as I love Alan Johnson and his first book This Boy (which I strongly recommend), this is pretty thin stuff. While the second half, dealing with his time as an MP, picks up a bit, I sensed even the author could barely be arsed to detail the problems of his union's merger , and the fight against Royal Mail privatisation. Given an extra star for the author's lack of pomposity and self-aggrandizement.
January 7, 2019
Big fan of AJ's and know his earlier books have been highly regarded. This was my first of his. Bit low key, I mean, Tony Blair rings up and asks him if he fancies being an MP. Are you really going to say no? By the end he's Home Secretary. Not bad for a postman, who's now an award-winning author. But the credits reveal him with a cherished new wife and no longer married to the woman who features throughout this volume. Now that would have been a juicier read.
May 14, 2022
Pretty good
Interesting to get some inside insights into Blair’s Labour Party from Johnson’s centrist perspective. I’d like to hear more specific thoughts on the problems with the left of the party, why he thinks Blair’s approach worked, and why Brown didn’t won the 2010 election. He touches on these but more analysis would be good.
Interesting on his local constituency in Hull and the problems fishermen had there.
Interesting to get some inside insights into Blair’s Labour Party from Johnson’s centrist perspective. I’d like to hear more specific thoughts on the problems with the left of the party, why he thinks Blair’s approach worked, and why Brown didn’t won the 2010 election. He touches on these but more analysis would be good.
Interesting on his local constituency in Hull and the problems fishermen had there.
May 28, 2023
A good read.
This is the third part of Johnston's memoir trilogy and takes him from Union leader to MP.
It gives a good insight into Tony Blair's government and the various offices Johnson holds culminating as Home Secretary under Gordon Brown.
Alan Johnson writes well and tells a good story.
I have enjoyed these books and recommend them to anyone who is interested in social history and a rags to "riches" story.
This is the third part of Johnston's memoir trilogy and takes him from Union leader to MP.
It gives a good insight into Tony Blair's government and the various offices Johnson holds culminating as Home Secretary under Gordon Brown.
Alan Johnson writes well and tells a good story.
I have enjoyed these books and recommend them to anyone who is interested in social history and a rags to "riches" story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews