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The extraordinary 1950s London childhood of one of Britain's best-loved politicians

About the Author

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.

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