Political autobiography is normally defined as a work of fiction by the author, about the author. Rarely do we find examples of 'good autobiography'. Indeed, it would be easier to draw up a list of Top Ten Worst Political Memoirs. This list is a list of my own personal favourites.
1. Memoirs - Richard Nixon
Nixon is one of the finest political writers in recent history. His books 'Leaders', 'Six Crises', and 'In the Arena' should be required reading for any aspiring politician. His memoirs are a remarkable work of literature.
2. Path to Power - Margaret Thatcher
More readable and more human than the accompanying 'Downing Street Years' volume. This book covers her life up to 1979.
3. View from Number Eleven - Nigel Lawson
Huge book with perhaps a liitle too much economics for my liking, but a fantastic record of the Thatcher government.
4. Here Today Gone Tomorrow - John Nott
The best autobiography I had the pleasure of publishing as Politico's. Searingly honest, laced with wicked humour, and great political insight.
5. Time of my Life - Denis Healey
My favourite Labour memoir - charcteristically truculent, funny and honest.
6. Time to Declare - David Owen
I have always been rather a fan of David Owen, who I have always regarded as a pseudo-Tory. He had many failings but this book is not one of them.
7. Memoirs - John Major
A surprising bestseller. Very readable, and sometimes extremely bitchy.
8. A Life at the Centre - Roy Jenkins
Elegant, as you would expect. perhaps not quite so honest about his personal life as he might have been, but we await Andrew Adonis's official biography for that sort of detail!
9. Just in Time - Sir John Hoskyns
If I had to recommend one book to David Cameron to read, this would be it. It tells of Hoskyns time advising the Thatcher Opposition and the problems he and they encountered.
10.A Memoir - Barbara Bush
Hugely enjoyable by one of my favourite political spouses. Behind the grandmotherly exterior lay a spine of iron. She leaves no hostages to fortune in this charming book.
7 comments:
I yield to few in my fascination with Nixon and have just been reading (again) Stanley Kutler's book 'The wars of Watergate' where in the bibliographical note he says of Nixon's memoirs "It is filled, to be sure, with evasions, half-truths, and self-serving explanations. Still, Nixon provides - almost in spite of himself - extraoridnary insights into his thoughts and behaviour. Without question, it is one of the most useful of presidential memoirs." I think I am right in saying that Nixon's book doesn't mention the presidential pardon he received from Ford which is ... well ... an interesting omission. Not sure this is what you meant by including it in your list!
The Kutler book really is good, by the way, and isn't rabidly anti-Nixon. Highly recommended.
I haven't read Nott's book but like the cound of it (I heard him talking about in on the radio when it was published).
I normally avoid political autobiographies, largely because they grind too many personal axes and I prefer the distance of a biographer.
I will seek out the Nott book. Can I also throw into the mix Gyles Brandreth's and Alan Clark's diaries, plus Matthew Parris' recent autobiography. All highly readable.
I wouldn't have the Healey book that far down, but I find Mrs Thatcher unreadable, but apart from that, a good list.
Rather suprised you didn't have Alan Clark's diaries on the list.
The Unfinished Revolution by Philip Gould (which, at a stretch, you could call his autobiography) is a favourite of mine. Although I suspect not a favourite of many others on the blog.
Things can only better by John O'Farrell is incredibley funny.
Although none of these are classical political autobiographies like the ones on your list.
Also, when are you going to do a top ten that allows me to express my love for "Friends and Rivals" by Giles Radice?
Chance Witness - Matthew Parris surely must deserve a mention.
Can't resist the temptation to mention two golden oldies, Rab Butler's (although Peter Goldman may have had a hand in it) and above all Leo Amery's three volumes, particularly the first and third. But wholly agree with you about Nixon, and Nott, and rate Lawson high. Personally I am not so keen on the David Owen.
I've come across more than one in my studies at university. I agree with your view of Nigel Lawson's book. The economics make it hard to read.
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