Ken: The Ups and Downs of Ken Livingstone

by Andrew Hosken

This spirited, unauthorized biography of the Mayor of London chronicles 30 years in the life of a controversial political chameleon who has been antagonizing, shocking, and delighting the British public and press in equal measure. After taking control of the Greater London Council through an audacious internal coup in 1981, Ken Livingstone's career was transformed in 2002 when he became the first directly elected Mayor of London as an independent in the teeth of a fierce campaign by Tony Blair and Alastair Campbell. Since then, he has secured the 2012 Olympics for London, introduced a controversial congestion tax on automobiles, and led the capital city during the dark days following the subway terrorist attacks. In May 2008, he is likely to face his greatest political challenge in the shape of Tory mayoral hopeful Boris Johnson.

Genres: Politics

435 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2008

Reviews

[Mupambi Mpambi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book of two halves, first half terrible, second half interesting. At one stage thought it was a book about Labour Party forgot about Red Ken. There is more about exposing the ills of Communism than exploring the life of an ordinary man: Ken Livingstone.

[Jordan Phizacklea-Cullen · Rating 2 out of 5]

The extent of Hosken's exhaustive research cannot be faulted, but the interviews focus too much on Livingstone's detractors and not enough on his supporters, and the final impression one gets is that the author cannot decide whether he admires or abhors his subject.

[Aalia Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recently revisited this. Probably more relevant than ever considering rise of Jeremy Corbyn and Labour's identity crisis.