Product Description

Menzies (Ming) Campbell is one of the few politicians in Britain who is universally admired and respected by people of all parties and by the voting public.

Born into an ordinary Glasgow family, Ming spent much of his youth striving to become an international athlete. He describes vividly what it was like to take part in both the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games while still relatively inexperienced. Such was his ability that he held the UK 100 metres record from 1967 to 1974.

 

His interest in politics deepened after he began his successful legal career and he became an MP at the age of 46.

 

His outspoken but statesmanlike views on the conduct of British foreign policy made him well known as a parliamentary performer, particularly during the controversial invasion of Iraq. Even his struggle to overcome cancer, movingly described in this book for the first time, didn't prevent him performing his duties as Deputy Leader to great acclaim. His characteristically candid look behind the scenes of the politics and personalities of the past twenty years is of great interest.

 

This is a memoir to be enjoyed for its honesty, warmth and wit as well as its insights. Its the story of one mans efforts to succeed in a world where the qualities he embodies are rarely apparent - and seldom valued..

(20080315)

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #304860 in Books
• Published on: 2008-03-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 336 pages

Review

'This is a gentle and enjoyable book which will be appreciated by people as nice as Sir Menzies Campbell is himself.'

(Guardian )

'The author confeses his failings as well as his successes. He writes more intimately about his friendship with John Smith and Donald Dewar than about party colleagues.' (Observer )

'He has produced a candid and engaging book that deserves to serve as a model for less modest politicians.'

(Anthony Howard, Sunday Telegraph )

About the Author
Sir Menzies Campbell is the former leader of the Liberal Democrats. He competed in the 1964 Olympics and the 1966 Commonwealth Games, was captain of the UK athletics team 1965-6 and held the UK 100 metres record from 1967 to 1974. He was awarded the CBE in 1987 and knighted in the 2004 New Year Honours list.