Product Description

In his own inimitable style, Boris Johnson turns his attention to the culture, manners and morals of British society, giving us a humorous, at times furious, but always entertaining read. A witty anthology of pieces comprising Boris Johnson's thoughts on everything from the presidency of Tony Blair to the idiosyncrasies of modern British culture. Focusing on Diana, the age of self-expression, the end of culture, the moment of the Yuppies, and liberty versus freedom, Johnson takes us on a rollercoaster ride through contemporary Britain. He has also interviewed many of the key figures in the political and cultural worlds over the last sixteen years and addresses what these personalities tell of our age. Boris Johnson's writings have appeared in a variety of British and American magazines and newspapers. Vigorous, idiosyncratic, always intelligent and informed, with a very interesting perspective on our times, "Have I Got Views For You" is a pleasure to read.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #249062 in Books
• Published on: 2006-07-03
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

Review
Praise for 'The Dream of Rome': 'As an introduction to the history of the Roman empire, this book is hugely stimulating. I read it in two sittings, completely gripped. If Ruth Kelly has an ounce of sense, she will make this book compulsory reading for every 16-year old in the country.' Toby Young, New Statesman 'History comes alive only when written from the heart and Johnson's is full of swashbuckling japes, bloodthirsty yells and energetic sideswipes.' Craig Brown, Mail on Sunday 'Written with all the wit and zest that have helped to make him Britain's favourite celebrity MP' Tom Holland, Daily Telegraph 'Johnson has not been intimidated by dry classics masters: his style is bright, breezy, populist and pacy' The Times 'Described with his special combination of sharp-eyed intelligence and golly-gosh exclamation!the sublime and the bizarre are richly represented in this portrayal of ancient Rome!a splendid romp through the Roman world' Sunday Telegraph 'Lovers of Latin and ancient history unite! At long last there is a warm, funny, erudite introduction to the Roman empire!The success of The Dream of Rome lies in the modern twang of the author. It is an art Boris Johnson has to perfection!a marvellous reader-friendly account of Rome' Independent

About the Author
Boris Johnson is the member of parliament for Henley-on-Thames and is a former editor of the Spectator magazine. He is married and lives in London and Oxfordshire.

Customer Reviews

Witty, pertinent and insightful
Though I have some fairly strong political views myself, I'm not one that's prone to spending a lot of time reading books written by politicians.

But, with the London Mayoral elections coming up, and being no fan of Red Ken myself, I thought it might be worthwhile doing a bit of swotting up on the opposition, and Boris Johnson has always come across as a witty character, if often making jokes at his own expense.

Have I Got Views For You is a collection of old magazine and newspaper articles written primarily for the Spectator and the Telegraph. Whilst some of them must be approaching 10 years old, and yes, are commenting on political situations that now seem to be some distance in the past, his insight into the situations, as well as predictions for the future usually make very interesting reading. With views expressed on a wide range of subjects, it's inevitable that even the staunchest Tory-boy is unlikely to agree with Johnson on everything, but his overall stance on individual liberty, and his criticisms of the current government are often hard to argue with.

This book (or whatever you'd call it) is broadly well written, witty, amusing, and most importantly of all, it always has a point to make - points that are easily digestible, and easy to think through on your own.

Eccentric dellight
Boris is the living proof that the age of the English eccentric is not yet over. These days journalists become politicians and vice versa but no-one has done it with the eccentric humour of Boris. He is enough fun to make one reconsider voting Conservative. He writes with originality, good style and much humour. He is a one off.

The book is arranged topically going from politics to who are the British, Literary Heroes, foreign affairs, personal interviews, manners and morals etc. I found myself longing for the dates and sources to be put by each chapter for the book is not chronological. I think it would have been better arranged chronologically and not by category as the articles span 1995 to 2006.

Highlights are finding his daughter to be Belgian not British, his flight in the Americans' top fighter plane, his horror at the death of a stag together with his defence of hunting and the one piece of British journalism I have read in admiration of Dubya Bush. Boris is a man for clear blue water. If only Cameron was. He confirms to me one reason why I never passed on to the Conservatives approved candidates list. I had more than a whiff of Euroscepticism about me when interviewed in the same hotel as Boris.

I love his self deprecating humour. Why did he agree to go on the TV show from which he got his title? Honest Boris says, a thousand pounds, enough for a family holiday. Have we here that rara avis, an honest politician? He is certainly the only one who is such good fun.

Whatever your politics, you will like this!
Despite sitting at extreme opposites of the political scale, I have always felt an affinity with Boris Johnson. Largely beause I used to look like him (I shaved my head to stop looking like him!), but also because we are both bumbling idiots. On television programmes such as 'Have I got News For You', at Tory party conferences or generally in the press, Boris comes cross as being a number 1, grade-A berk. Not a rabid, rascist Tory like some of his fellow conservatives, but none the less, a bumbling, clumsy foot-in-the-mouth eejit. Yet somehow I like the man, and I like his latest literary effort even more.

He has indeed got views for us, presented in short snippets with a humorous air about them. Conservative readers will like his views, leftist readers like me will like his attitude towards Blair, and the politically disinterested will be amused by the simplicity in many cases, of what he has to say. This latest book shows us, beyond all reasonable doubt why such a bad advert for the tories, with his accidental anti-scouser statements and ridiculous bycicle clips has not long been dropped from the team. Deep down, Boris knows what he's all about, and he' not afraid to tell us either.