Items related to First Confession: A Sort of Memoir
Synopsis
Most politicians write autobiographies to 'set the record straight' and provide retrospective justification for their careers. That is not the case with this book. 'It occurred to me that to track down myself would enable me to discuss an issue that had begun to intrigue me, namely the relationship between politics and identity, the things that had shaped me and whether and how they had come to reflect my life and opinions. As I wrote, the question of identity moved from the wings to centre stage, and roiled politics and nations on both sides of the Atlantic.'
'Who am I? Who are we?' Chris Patten's career has taken him from the outer London suburbs to the House of Commons, a seat in the Cabinet, last Governor of Hong Kong, Chairman of the BBC and Chancellor of Oxford University. About all of these he is enlightening and entertaining. He has unexpected and telling things to say about each of the three Prime Ministers for whom he worked - Edward Heath, Margaret Thatcher and John Major. But his political heroes - Baldwin, Macmillan, Butler - came from an earlier time: he is proud to be 'wet', and reckons all his paladins were pretty damp themselves. But more, Patten uses each phase of his life as a spur to reflect upon its contemporary situation - education, America, conservatism, Ireland, China, Europe and finally the question of links between violence and religion. Unlike one No.10 press secretary, Patten definitely 'does God'.
At the end, the reader has an impression of someone who knows himself as well as any of us can, and who continues to think, passionately and intelligently, about the world around him. Wise, funny and opinionated, First Confession is a different sort of memoir, a meditation on personal and political identity which, in an age of simplification, reminds us of the complexities of both.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Chris Patten is currently Chancellor of Oxford University. As a British MP (1979-1992) he served as Minister for Overseas Development, Secretary of State for the Environment and Chairman of the Conservative Party. He is well-known for being the last Governor of Hong Kong (1992-1997), about which he wrote in East and West. Both that and his most recent book, Not Quite the Diplomat: Home Truths about World Affairs, were No. 1 international bestsellers. In 2008 he wrote What Next? Surviving the Twenty-First Century.He was made a Companion of Honour in 1998 and a life peer in 2005.
Review
Amen. - Chris Mullin - Observer
Engaging frank, beefily pugnacious - John Preston - Sunday Telegraph
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherPenguin
- Publication date2018
- ISBN 10 0141983876
- ISBN 13 9780141983875
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages320
- Rating
Buy New
Learn more about this copy
US$ 16.78
Shipping:
US$ 2.64
Within U.S.A.
Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace
Stock Image
First Confession: A Sort of Memoir
Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: USED_GOOD. Good condition. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains. Seller Inventory # D03B-02008
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
First Confession: A Sort of Memoir
Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Good condition. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains. Bundled media such as CDs, DVDs, floppy disks or access codes may not be included. Seller Inventory # A09B-04060
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
First Confession: A Sort of Memoir
Seller: Open Books, Chicago, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
paperback. Condition: Good. General wear from age and use. Open Books is a nonprofit social venture that provides literacy experiences for thousands of readers each year through inspiring programs and creative capitalization of books. Seller Inventory # mon0000751691
Quantity: 1 available
Seller Image
First Confession: A Sort of Memoir
Seller: WeBuyBooks 2, Rossendale, LANCS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Most items will be dispatched the same or the next working day. A copy that has been read but remains in clean condition. All of the pages are intact and the cover is intact and the spine may show signs of wear. The book may have minor markings which are not specifically mentioned. Ex library copy with usual stamps & stickers. Seller Inventory # wbs5101075419
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
First Confession: A Sort of Memoir
Published by
Penguin Books Ltd, United Kingdom, London, 2018
ISBN 10: 0141983876
ISBN 13: 9780141983875
Used
Paperback
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Most politicians write autobiographies to 'set the record straight'. This is a different sort of memoir. Following his life as a self-confessed 'wet European' from parliament to Hong Kong and beyond, Chris Patten creates a meditation on personal and political identity which, in an age of simplification, shows the complexities of both. 'A defence of liberal conservatism . If old-style centrism is to stage a comeback and reason to supplant stridency and authoritarianism, be it in west or east, the moderates can wave Patten's book on their way to their barricades' Jonathan Fenby, Financial Times 'Vivid, very well-written, First Confession joins the highest tier of recent works by British politicians' Paschal Donohoe, Irish Times 'Draws on his experience of four controversial institutions - the Tory party, the Vatican, the Chinese government and the BBC - to swell the tiny list of intelligent and cultured memoirs by front-line politicians' Mark Lawson, New Statesman, Books of the Year. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR009199145
Quantity: 6 available
Stock Image
First Confession : A Sort of Memoir
Seller: Better World Books Ltd, Dunfermline, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Ships from the UK. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 39103316-20
Quantity: 2 available
Stock Image
First Confession : A Sort of Memoir
Seller: Better World Books Ltd, Dunfermline, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Ships from the UK. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 40587011-20
Quantity: 2 available
Stock Image
First Confession : A Sort of Memoir
Seller: Better World Books Ltd, Dunfermline, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Ships from the UK. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 18852724-20
Quantity: 4 available
Stock Image
First Confession: A Sort of Memoir
Seller: Book Deals, Tucson, AZ, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Good condition. This is the average used book, that has all pages or leaves present, but may include writing. Book may be ex-library with stamps and stickers. 0.57. Seller Inventory # 353-0141983876-gdd
Quantity: 1 available
Seller Image
First Confession : A Sort of Memoir
Seller: GreatBookPrices, Columbia, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: As New. Unread book in perfect condition. Seller Inventory # 30929874
Quantity: 3 available