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Synopsis
No other British political leader of the postwar generation has led a life as varied, adventurous, and dramatic as Paddy Ashdown. He has been an officer in the Royal Marine Commandos, a diplomat, an MP and leader of his party, and an international peacemaker in war-torn Bosnia. In this sprawling autobiography that addresses his years in politics, he writes with authority about topics as diverse as tracking down infiltrating Indonesian forces in the jungles of Sarawak; landing a raiding party from a submerged submarine; the difficulties of learning Chinese; negotiating with Tony Blair; and bringing stability to a country wracked by civil war. While deadly serious when discussing his family, his country, his party, and the Bosnian people, Ashdown also has a refreshing gift for self-deprecating wit and has wealth of anecdotes. This is the self-portrait of a man who has lived life to the fullest for the benefit of a nation.
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About the Author
Paddy Ashdown was the High Representative for Bosnia-Herzegovina for nearly four years, an office that was created in 1995 to oversee the civilian implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement. He is the author of several books, including The Ashdown Diaries and Swords and Ploughshares.
Review
'Less a political autobiography than a real-life Dangerous Book for Boys, and all the better for it. This is more than anything else an adventure story. Fascinating and uplifting and genuinely, without irony, heroic, the sort of book you should read to your kids, just to let them know what can be done' -- Rod Liddle Sunday Times 'To anyone inclined to political cynicism, I would urge you to read this book. Ashdown emerges as a man of serious standing, a good man, a principled man, a man who commands your respect entirely' The Times '[An] action-packed, pacey, lyrical and sweetly honest book... This is the autobiography of a good man' -- Matthew Parris Spectator 'Even James Bond would put down Ashdown's A Fortunate Life and reflect that his own life seemed suddenly rather monochrome' Daily Telegraph
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- PublisherAurum Pr Ltd
- Publication date2009
- ISBN 10 1845134192
- ISBN 13 9781845134198
- BindingHardcover
- LanguageEnglish
- Edition number1
- Number of pages400
- Rating
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A Fortunate Life
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Aurum Press Ltd 21/04/2009, 2009
ISBN 10: 1845134192
ISBN 13: 9781845134198
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A Fortunate Life
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Quarto Publishing PLC, United Kingdom, 2009
ISBN 10: 1845134192
ISBN 13: 9781845134198
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Paperback. Condition: Very Good. No other British political leader of the post-war generation could have written a book like this for the simple reason that no other modern politician has led a life as varied, adventurous and dramatic as its author. He has been, in turn, an officer in the Royal Marine Commandos, a member of the Special Boat Service, a diplomat, an MP and leader of his party and an international peacemaker in war-torn Bosnia. He can, and does, write with authority about topics as diverse as evading water bailiffs while fishing illicitly at night; tracking down and destroying infiltrating Indonesian forces in the jungles of Sarawak; landing a raiding party from a submerged submarine; the difficulties of learning Chinese; winning an apparently hopeless' parliamentary seat; negotiating with Tony Blair; and bringing stability to a country wracked by civil war. He is deadly serious when writing about the things that matter to him - his family, his country, his party, the Bosnian people whose cause he adopted when it was deeply unpopular to do so - but he also has a refreshing gift for seeing the funny side of most situations and illustrates it with self-deprecating wit and a wealth of anecdote. Although this book covers his years in politics it is hard to imagine anything less like a traditional political memoir. This is the self-portrait of a man who has lived life to the full and whose autobiography would be fascinating, even if he had never set foot in Palace of Westminster. Paddy Ashdown was the founding leader of the Liberal Democrats from 1988 to 1998. From 2002 to 2006 he was the United Nations High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina. His previous books include two volumes of The Ashdown Diaries, which covered his years as party leader, and Swords and Ploughshares: Building Peace in the 21st Century. He currently sits in the House of Lords. 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 # GOR001516981
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ISBN 13: 9781845134198
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