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This Boy Alan Johnson

This Boy By Alan Johnson

This Boy by Alan Johnson


$20.49
Condition - Very Good
<20 in stock

Summary

Alan Johnson's childhood was not so much difficult as unusual, particularly for a man who was destined to become Home Secretary. This book tells the story of Alan's mother, Lily, who battled against poor health, poverty, and domestic violence; and his sister, Linda, who had to assume an enormous amount of responsibility at a very young age .

This Boy Summary

This Boy by Alan Johnson

Alan Johnson's childhood was not so much difficult as unusual, particularly for a man who was destined to become Home Secretary. Not in respect of the poverty, which was shared with many of those living in the slums of post-war Britain, but in its transition from two-parent family to single mother and then to no parents at all...This is essentially the story of two incredible women: Alan's mother, Lily, who battled against poor health, poverty, domestic violence and loneliness to try to ensure a better life for her children; and his sister, Linda, who had to assume an enormous amount of responsibility at a very young age and who fought to keep the family together and out of care when she herself was still only a child. Played out against the background of a vanishing community living in condemned housing, the story moves from post-war austerity in pre-gentrified Notting Hill, through the race riots, school on the Kings Road, Chelsea in the Swinging 60s, to the rock-and-roll years, making a record in Denmark Street and becoming a husband and father whilst still in his teens. This Boy is one man's story, but it is also a story of England and the West London slums which are so hard to imagine in the capital today. No matter how harsh the details, Alan Johnson writes with a spirit of generous acceptance, of humour and openness which makes his book anything but a grim catalogue of miseries.

This Boy Reviews

the best memoir by a politician you will ever read -- Philip Collins The Times a poignant memoir...Johnson writes wonderfully -- Mary Kenny Telegraph deeply moving and unforgettable -- Lynn Barber Sunday Times a handsome and eloquent tribute -- Peter Wilby Guardian beautifully, beautifully written... his style is utterly simple, with a wit so understated that every reader will believe that he or she alone got it -- John Rentoul Independent on Sunday Neither mawkish nor sentimental, it is an evocative, filmic account on an early childhood... would make a fabulous drama that, for all its squalor, lifts the spirits -- Judith Woods Daily Telegraph a testament to the power of family love and a tribute to two strong women -- Ian Birrell Daily Mail Wonderful and moving... unreadable with a dry eye The Times the biography of a politician like no other - beautifully observed, humorous, moving, uplifting; told with a dry self-deprecating wit and not a trace of self-pity -- Chris Mullin Observer No ordinary politician's memoir ... wonderful. -- John Grimond The Spectator

About Alan Johnson

Alan Johnson was born in May 1950. He is a British Labour Party politician who served as Home Secretary from June 2009 to May 2010. Before that, he filled a wide variety of cabinet positions in both the Blair and Brown governments, including Health Secretary and Education Secretary. Until 20 January 2011 he was Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer. Johnson has been the Member of Parliament for Hull West and Hessle since 1997.

Additional information

GOR004750857
9780593069646
0593069641
This Boy by Alan Johnson
Used - Very Good
Hardback
Transworld Publishers Ltd
20130509
304
Winner of Ondaatje Prize 2014 Winner of Orwell Prize 2014
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in very good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us

Customer Reviews - This Boy