Porridge And Passion

by Jonathan Aitken

The sequel to the best-seller Pride and Perjury, Porridge and Passion describes Aitken's journey from sentencing at the Old Bailey, through his incarceration at Belmarsh prison and the many dramas along the way, to his eventual release and the beginnings of a new life. It is impossible to be indifferent to Jonathan Aitken. Some admire the way in which he pulled himself together having been convicted and imprisoned for perjury in the High Court. Many others are less impressed and remain deeply sceptical. In his sequel to his first volume of autobiography Pride and Perjury Aitken starts his story as he is taken down from the courtroom and incarcerated at Her Majesty's Pleasure. He writes frankly of subsequent events. Visited by the ever-optimistic Lord Longford, Aitken emerged from the jaws of despair a chastened man. How this Old Etonian former Cabinet Minister on Mrs Thatcher's inner circle managed to establish new relationships and lasting friendships with fellow prisoners is fascinating - so too is this account of how religious belief transformed his life and began to influence the life of others. Emerging from Bellmarsh Prison one day with nothing but a black plastic sack of clothes, Aitken recounts how he was accepted at Wycliffe Hall Oxford to read theology and how this reconditioned his mind as well as his soul. Aitken has lost none of his charm, fluency and determination. But now these are used for greater purposes. He has found a new life and meaning to it. The authenticity of this new life is something which drives him on, and which readers of this entertaining new book will be able to judge for themselves.

Genres: Nonfiction, Autobiography

255 pages, Hardcover

First published August 15, 2005

About the author

Jonathan William Patrick Aitken is a former Conservative Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom for 24 years, and a former British government Cabinet minister. He was convicted of perjury in 1999 and received an 18-month prison sentence, of which he served seven months.

Reviews

[Nancy DeValve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jonathan Aitken was a British Member of Parliament who lied under oath and ended up serving a prison sentence. He writes with humor, yet does not attempt to paint a rosy picture of the prison system. His humor is more that he is an excellent story teller and can find humor in many situations. Between the time he lied in court and the time he received his judgment, he became a true Christian. While in prison he grew spiritually. It is amazing to see how God used him as a spiritual leader in ways in which he wasn't even considering. I enjoyed this book immensely.

[Diane Stubbs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was hoping the book would have more about his repentance and journey of faith

[Mr Alfred Knox]

Good account of his time in prison and his witness as a Christian.

[Dermot O'Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1995 Jonathan Aitken was Chief Secretary to the Treasury, wealthy, married and tipped as a future leader of the Conservative party. Yet a mere four years later he was imprisoned, bankrupt, divorced and disgraced. This book is therefore about the rise and fall of a remarkable life.

Porridge and Passion is the sequel to Pride and Perjury, Aitken's earlier volume of memoirs. The narrative begins in his house on the morning he was due to be sentenced for committing perjury under oath in an earlier libel action. It then follows the author's temporary incarceration in notorious Belmarsh gaol and onto HMP Standford Hill where he spent the remainder of his 7 months imprisonment. Upon release, Aitken studied for two years at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford taking a degree in Theology. After graduating he devoted himself to writing and speaking mainly on Christian subjects and also happily remarried.

There have been people who were imprisoned longer, lost more money or more harshly vilified but surely very few whose downfall was so comprehensive and so all encompassing as Aitkens. For this reason Porridge and Passion is a fascinating close up study of a man stripped of everything and his efforts to rebuild his life. I am cautious, even suspicious, of anything I read in print but I couldn't help but be moved by his expressions of remorse, his lack of self-justification and his forgiveness towards his detractors.

The reader is also given an interesting and oftentimes humorous insight into the prison system. But this book is essentially a real life look at the human condition at its best and worse. Porridge and Passion is a must read for its inspiration.

[Tracey Wilde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting. I look forward to seeing what happens to Jonathan in the future

[Peter Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked it up by chance at an op shop (not much demand for minor British politicians in Australia) and found it immensely interesting for his account of his life in prison,his later bankruptcy trials,his relations with famous people and his Christian faith.Well written,perceptive and informative particularly on prison reform.He seemed a nice caring man.Thoroughly recommended for those with an interest in British politicians and those who fall from grace and rediscover meaning in life.