2008-05-29 From someone who's actually read this book

I'd bet quite a lot of money (for charity) that the two dismissive reviewers above haven't even read this book - simply because they're not the type of reactions this book would generate. The majority of the book is about a pre-political life - an east end Jewish upbringing; setting out in business and developing a commercial life; family relationships; dealing with illness; community involvement ... it's not the type of book those reviewers think it is.

On the political front its most interesting angle is the example it gives of Blair unnecessarily betraying Robin Cook's trust (despite Cook's trust in Blair) - this throws more negative light on Blair's character than I've seen any anti-Blairite come up with. It's also interesting hearing first-hand the process of how millions for charities and political causes were raised, in reading personal assessments of our previous major political figures such as Blair, Brown et al and of figures in the middle-east (non-)peace process.

A distingtuishing feature of this book is its self-reflexive nature. The author frequently acknowledges when looking at his attitudes and for the causes of his actions, that he can sometimes be pompous and is sometimes motivated by prestige and glory (which he attributes as his reaction to his Hackney background). He further admits that despite his bravura and his previous belief to the contrary, through the process of recounting the police investigation he's realised he's not yet emotionally recovered. That this book is actually part of his recovery process makes it even more interesting.