Chance Witness
An Outsider's Life in Politics
1st Edition
Published on 5. September 2013
544 pages
978-0-241-96907-6 (ISBN)
Description
In this surprising and eccentric autobiography from a former Conservative MP, Matthew Parris writes of his personal and political life with equal candour. With a First from Cambridge and the possibility of working for the Foreign Office, he decided instead to apply to be an apprentice diesel-fitter with London Transport. He was rejected and so turned to a life in politics. He has worked with Margaret Thatcher, Chris Patten, Tony Blair and Michael Portillo, and his observations of political lifeand those who move within it are truly fascinating. This colourful memoir is an account of a young life already well lived.
Reviews / Votes
Shockingly Candid * Observer * Of interest to students and lovers of politics alike, and indeed to anyone who is interested in the history of the last quarter of a century. Parris is a skilful entertainer, who informs as well as amuses -- Peter Bottomley * Literary Review * Whimsy, polemic, irony, humour . . . a scintillating read -- Boris Johnson * Sunday Telegraph * The perfect autobiographer * Spectator * Brilliant, deliciously entertaining. I laughed a lot * Observer *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
File size
15,01 MB
ISBN-13
978-0-241-96907-6 (9780241969076)
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
Book
07/2013
Penguin Books Ltd
€25.50
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Matthew Parris was born in Johannesburg in 1949. For seven years a Conservative MP, he quit to present LWT's Weekend World, after which he became a regular parliamentary sketchwriter for The Times. His books include READ MY LIPS, SCORN WITH ADDED VITRIOL, and INCA-KOLA, about his travels in Peru. He has also made a number of television documentaries, including most recently an account of his sojourn on a remote sub-Antarctic island.
