This extraordinary autobiography includes new chapters and has been updated since it was first released in 1995. This is by no means a conventional 'political' autobiography, but rather an inspiring, and often hilarious account of a man overcoming disability and beating the system - with the help of a dog. David Blunkett was born blind, which makes his struggle to the top - he is now the Home Secretary - all the more remarkable. At the Manchester Road School for the Blind he began learning braille and at sixteen joined the Labour Party, then Sheffield University beckoned. David chose to train with a guide dog, and Ruby, his golden labrador, was allowed to sit by him in the Commons, as were her successors, Offa and Lucy. Being an MP meant that the author could start to bring about the changes he hoped to effect. David Blunkett talks candidly about the good times and the bad.