Boris: The Rise of Boris Johnson - Brossura

Gimson, Andrew

Brossura

ISBN 10: 1847394272 ISBN 13: 9781847394279

Casa editrice: Simon & Schuster Ltd, 2008

Riassunto

Despite having once been sacked from the shadow front bench, Boris Johnson is still widely seen as one of the stars of the Conservative Party. His distinctive appearance ('like a haystack on a bicycle'), befuddled manner and ready wit have assured a high media profile and a large fanbase with the general public. In this, the first biography of Boris, Andrew Gimson investigates Boris's twin-faced dilemma -- politics or entertainment -- and asks how deep his political ambition runs.

Boris has transcended his class, education and his various occupations (Conservative MP for Henley-on-Thames, Conservative spokesman for Higher Education, columnist on the Daily Telegraph, motoring correspondent for GQ, novelist, TV presenter, and now, Mayor of London) to become a paradoxical character -- the old Etonian who fascinates teenagers as well as grandparents, the classical scholar who is also a TV quiz-show contestant. Despite being a comic actor of genius, he is not just an act and Andrew Gimson's biography covers all facets of this complex individual. There is his exotic Turkish ancestry, his place among five siblings, his competitive relationship with his father Stanley, the distinguished university career, his five years as a journalist in Brussels, his first failed venture into politics ('I fought Clwyd South -- and Clwyd South fought back'), overseeing the Spectatorduring the David Blunkett affair and the Liverpool editorial fiasco which led to Boris's sacking from the shadow cabinet, his exile and return under David Cameron, his two marriages, four children and love affairs. Interviewing Boris's contemporaries, his family and his detractors, Andrew Gimson has created a fascinating and amusing portrait of this unique man of our times.

Su questo libro

Dalla quarta di copertina

'My biography of the year'
Michael Crick
Boris Johnson's critics dismissed him as a clown and the Tory leadership tried to keep him down, yet over a million Londoners voted to make him their mayor. How did a man whose early life was full of gaffes turn himself into a serious and successful contender for high office? In this age of cautious and unmemorable politicians, Boris shows that cracking jokes and taking risks can pay off.
This brilliant portrait, written with an affectionate yet critical eye, tells the astonishing story of the Boris phenomenon from his competitive childhood, through his education, editorship of the Spectator, travails with the tabloids, to his dismissal from the Tory front bench by Michael Howard and triumphant comeback as mayor.
'Boris is a national treasure, and Gimson has done him proud' Sunday Times
'Full of jokes and witty observations ... You couldn't ask for a more genial guide to Planet Boris than Andrew Gimson'
Independent on Sunday
'Gales of laughter rip through every chapter'
Guardian
'It is all rubbish from start to finish - but well-written rubbish' Boris Johnson

Dettagli dell'edizione

• Editore: Simon & Schuster Ltd
• Data di pubblicazione: 2008
• Lingua: Inglese
• ISBN 10: 1847394272
• ISBN 13: 9781847394279
• Rilegatura: Copertina flessibile
• Numero di pagine: 320
• Contatto del produttore: non disponibile
• Persona responsabile: Simon and Schuster Netherlands BV; info@simonandschuster.nl; ; Herculesplein 96; Utrecht; 3584 AA; Paesi Bassi