Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #22947 in Books
• Published on: 2005-09-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

Customer Reviews

A moral politician...
The title undersells this autobiography.

"Benn, the early years" might have been prosaic but a more insightful name nevertheless.

Following Mr Benn's early years gives the reader a great perception to his personal development and moral integrity.

Love him or loathe him one thing is very clear from this work; Mr Benn's deep commitment to the use of politics to bring a more equitable lifestyle to those amongst us who are less fortunate.

The style of telling is simple - almost disarmingly plain. One would expect little else from Mr Benn, in hindsight.

This is a very interesting book - it should be read for that reason alone!

A must for real socialists
As one of Benn's biggest politic fans, this book was a must read for me. Agreed it's not a work of great literature but his chatty style and natural wit make it an easy and enjoyable read for anyone. Benn is one of the few true socialists we still have in public life in Britain and the inclusion of some of his many parliamentary speeches reinforce the genuineness of his life-long held beliefs. You can't help but look up to the man's commitment to his socialism. After reading this book, I'm inspired to read more of his writings.

Run to buy this book
I have just finished reading a fabulous book called Dare to be a Daniel by Tony Benn.

He never became leader of the Labour Party - more is the pity in my view. But he was a leading politician - very powerful - and always outspoken with frank and honest views setting him apart from the normal dull and boring politicians who simply stick to their party line, come what may. Tony Benn is a man of great conviction.

His book is written with typical Tony Benn 'upfrontness.'

There are no punches pulled about how British politics really works. His prediction about too much power being in other than democratic hands is worrying. He argues persuasively there already is too much power in the hands of a few highly wealthy people or corporations - and that it will get worse - threatening democracy in the west as we currently recognise it.

On the 'non-political front' - the book contains many little gems of humour, humility, wisdom. There are numerous touching references to the love he shared with his wife of 51 years until her death in 2000. Tony Benn is obviously very proud of his family.

By his own admission he was born into a wealthy family and had a privileged upbringing in a loving and warm family. Despite that he comes across as a man who fought battles for people who were not so well off as he.

I just love the simplicity and creativity of the wonderful advice Tony Benn's father him when he was 8 years old.

This is how it is described in the book.

"Father once said to me, 'Never wrestle with a chimney sweep', which was a curious piece of advice to give an eight year old, but I now understood exactly what he meant: 'If someone plays dirty with you, don't play dirty with them or you will get dirty too' My attempts to keep personal abuse out of political controversy has been shaped by that simple phrase about how to steer clear of chimneysweeps. I recommend it to others without reservation."