
Tony Benn
A Biography
Jad Adams(Author)
Biteback Publishing
Published on 13. February 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
576 pages
978-1-78590-949-8 (ISBN)
Description
For half a century, Tony Benn was
Britain's leading radical, defying the leadership of the Labour Party and
staking out the moral high ground. His principled stands and spellbinding
oratory commanded the respect of friends and foes alike. Benn was a strident
voice for peace in a troubled world, notably as a key figure of opposition to
the invasion of Iraq. His influence stretched even beyond the grave, with the
2016 Brexit referendum owing everything to Benn's promotion of referendums as
part of his concept of popular democracy.
This comprehensively revised
edition of Jad Adams's classic biography, updated with a new introduction to
mark the centenary of Benn's birth, was written with unparalleled access to his
private records. Chronicling the behind-the-scenes story of this remarkable
man's rise and fall, and his triumphant return as the conscience of the nation,
this acclaimed biography explores Benn's continuing legacy in 21st-century
Britain.
Britain's leading radical, defying the leadership of the Labour Party and
staking out the moral high ground. His principled stands and spellbinding
oratory commanded the respect of friends and foes alike. Benn was a strident
voice for peace in a troubled world, notably as a key figure of opposition to
the invasion of Iraq. His influence stretched even beyond the grave, with the
2016 Brexit referendum owing everything to Benn's promotion of referendums as
part of his concept of popular democracy.
This comprehensively revised
edition of Jad Adams's classic biography, updated with a new introduction to
mark the centenary of Benn's birth, was written with unparalleled access to his
private records. Chronicling the behind-the-scenes story of this remarkable
man's rise and fall, and his triumphant return as the conscience of the nation,
this acclaimed biography explores Benn's continuing legacy in 21st-century
Britain.
Reviews / Votes
"A well-researched biography about someone who will livefor ever in the pantheon of Labour heroes" Chris Mullin, New Statesman
"Adams takes us through Tony Benn's long career with
considerable narrative skill" Roy Jenkins, Sunday Telegraph
"Extremely accurate and perceptive" Tam Dalyell, The
Scotsman
"Adams has won a permanent place in the Benn literature"
Peter Hennessy, Times Educational Supplement
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Dimensions
Height: 129 mm
Width: 198 mm
Thickness: 39 mm
Weight
408 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78590-949-8 (9781785909498)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Person
Jad Adams has worked as a
television producer and a Fleet Street newspaper journalist. He knew Tony Benn
well for the last twenty-five years of his life. He was the last researcher to
have full access to the extensive Benn Archive in Benn's basement office, prior
to its being given to the British Library.
Jad's political books include Women
and the Vote: A World History, Gandhi: Naked Ambition and The
Dynasty: The Nehru-Gandhi Story. His television work has included
biographies of Bill and Hillary Clinton, the Nehru dynasty and Lord Kitchener.
He has also specialised in work on the 'decadent' era of the nineteenth
century, including Decadent Women: Yellow Book Lives; Madder Music,
Stronger Wine: The Life of Ernest Dowson; and Hideous Absinthe: A
History of the Devil in a Bottle. Jad has written two novels: Cafe
Europa and Choice of Darkness.
He lives in London and on the Greek
island of Leros. His website is www.jadadams.co.uk
television producer and a Fleet Street newspaper journalist. He knew Tony Benn
well for the last twenty-five years of his life. He was the last researcher to
have full access to the extensive Benn Archive in Benn's basement office, prior
to its being given to the British Library.
Jad's political books include Women
and the Vote: A World History, Gandhi: Naked Ambition and The
Dynasty: The Nehru-Gandhi Story. His television work has included
biographies of Bill and Hillary Clinton, the Nehru dynasty and Lord Kitchener.
He has also specialised in work on the 'decadent' era of the nineteenth
century, including Decadent Women: Yellow Book Lives; Madder Music,
Stronger Wine: The Life of Ernest Dowson; and Hideous Absinthe: A
History of the Devil in a Bottle. Jad has written two novels: Cafe
Europa and Choice of Darkness.
He lives in London and on the Greek
island of Leros. His website is www.jadadams.co.uk