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The Long and Winding Road

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About this listen

From the condemned slums of Southam Street in West London to the corridors of power in Westminster, Alan Johnson’s multi-award-winning autobiography charts an extraordinary journey, almost unimaginable in today’s Britain. This third volume tells of Alan’s early political skirmishes as a trades union leader, where his negotiating skills and charismatic style soon came to the notice of Tony Blair and other senior members of the Labour Party.
As a result, Alan was chosen to stand in the constituency of Hull West and Hessle, and entered Parliament as an MP after the landslide election victory for Labour in May 1997. But this is no self-aggrandizing memoir of Westminster politicking and skulduggery. Supporting the struggle of his constituents, the Hull trawlermen and their families, for justice comes more naturally to Alan than do the byzantine complexities of Parliamentary procedure. But of course he does succeed there, and rises through various ministerial positions to the office of Home Secretary in 2009.
In The Long and Winding Road, Alan’s characteristic honesty and authenticity shine through every word. His book takes you into a world which is at once familiar and strange: this is politics as you’ve never seen it before…

 Historical Political Science Politicians Politics & Activism Politics & Government

Critic reviews

Johnson writes with his usual warmth, wit and modesty.
Immensely engaging.
Searingly honest... moving.
Remarkable.
All stars
Most relevant
Bit dull lacked I was quite disappointed having loved his previous memoirs. Still worth listening to

Disappointing compared to his previous memoirs

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Loved it, back to the standard of the first volume - the second was a bit tedious. A great success story from the abject poverty of his childhood to becoming Home Secretary - an inspirational memoir from a very modest man. Thanks Alan.

Excellent third volume of A J's memoirs.

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I love Alan Johnson's autobiographies. This is the 3rd I've listened to and much enjoyed. Interestingly written and very well read out it gives great insight into the Blair years and Alan's role in them. Fascinating on the Iraq war debate. Can't wait for his next volume. I suspect it will be very depressing.

Very interesting memoir

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Alan Johnson, managed to get it back on track after Please Mr Postman’s poor effort. A V Good light hearted depiction of politics through the fall of Maggie and rise of labour again. Would recommend this for anyone with an interest in background politics.

Recovered from the last book

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Alan has an excellent grasp of the English language my favourite section was when the union faced privatisation and the method they used to fight and eventually win their objectives

An absorbing read

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