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Product Description
Review
'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.' --Sunday Times, April 2009
'Paddy Ashdown tells us what he did and how he did it, and very entertaining it is too.' --The Times, April 2009
Book of the Week --Mail on Sunday, April 2009
'Paddy Ashdown tells us what he did and how he did it, and very entertaining it is too.' --The Times, April 2009
Book of the Week --Mail on Sunday, April 2009
Review
'Ashdown has a terrific tale to tell, and he tells it well.'
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Paddy Ashdown once gave a friend of mine a piece of advice: "there are few sins in moving too quickly".
Reading his immensely enjoyable memoirs, it is easy to see that Ashdown lived his life by that very rule. From his days in the Special Boat Service, through a life in politics and eventually in the managerial post of his career -- as the UN's point man in helping Bosnia-Herzegovina emerge from a devastating war -- the British politician has always moved quickly, sought to take the initiative and capture as much enemy territory before his adversaries have even realised an attack was under way.
Lord Ashdown says he has led a most fortunate life. "I was a soldier at the end of the golden age of imperial soldiering; a politician while politics was still a calling rather than a profession and an international peace builder backed by Western power, before Iraq and Afghanistan drained the West of both influence and morality."
I suspect he is being a bit too modest here. Luck and fortune come not to those who wait for a propitious moment, but to those who shape and seize opportunities. As the SBS motto has it, Who Dares Wins. Daring and swiftness of action can, of course, sometimes backfire. In the end of the chapter about his Bosnia experience, Ashdown admits he probably got out of the country too early, leaving a number of crucial reforms unfinished. In the chapter about his ultimately aborted appointment as the UN chief in Kabul, the reader gets the sense that he probably assumed too quickly that Afghan president Hamid Karzai would welcome his role. But the times when Ashdown's desire for momentum let him down are few and far in between.
"A Fortunate Life" has an easy style, as do Ashdown's autumnal reflections. The reader is not encumbered by faux philosophical observations, but easily-worn insights. A great book and so far one of my favourite reads this year.
Reading his immensely enjoyable memoirs, it is easy to see that Ashdown lived his life by that very rule. From his days in the Special Boat Service, through a life in politics and eventually in the managerial post of his career -- as the UN's point man in helping Bosnia-Herzegovina emerge from a devastating war -- the British politician has always moved quickly, sought to take the initiative and capture as much enemy territory before his adversaries have even realised an attack was under way.
Lord Ashdown says he has led a most fortunate life. "I was a soldier at the end of the golden age of imperial soldiering; a politician while politics was still a calling rather than a profession and an international peace builder backed by Western power, before Iraq and Afghanistan drained the West of both influence and morality."
I suspect he is being a bit too modest here. Luck and fortune come not to those who wait for a propitious moment, but to those who shape and seize opportunities. As the SBS motto has it, Who Dares Wins. Daring and swiftness of action can, of course, sometimes backfire. In the end of the chapter about his Bosnia experience, Ashdown admits he probably got out of the country too early, leaving a number of crucial reforms unfinished. In the chapter about his ultimately aborted appointment as the UN chief in Kabul, the reader gets the sense that he probably assumed too quickly that Afghan president Hamid Karzai would welcome his role. But the times when Ashdown's desire for momentum let him down are few and far in between.
"A Fortunate Life" has an easy style, as do Ashdown's autumnal reflections. The reader is not encumbered by faux philosophical observations, but easily-worn insights. A great book and so far one of my favourite reads this year.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Most books take a while to get into but not this one - I was riveted from the prologue and then couldn't put it down - I laughed and cried in equal measure. In between times I was living the experiences with him. I've fallen in love with Bosnia and now want to see it for myself. What a book. Highly recommended.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
A Fortunate Life
This a success story that flows nicely through a good life.
A better than adverage start as a child,but no silver spoons here, a determind man with hard work, a bit of luck ( as he admits ), true to himself and his personal values makes this a good interesting and entertaining read with candor,humour and honesty.
I think he deserved his Fortunate Life.
This a success story that flows nicely through a good life.
A better than adverage start as a child,but no silver spoons here, a determind man with hard work, a bit of luck ( as he admits ), true to himself and his personal values makes this a good interesting and entertaining read with candor,humour and honesty.
I think he deserved his Fortunate Life.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Readable
Paddy Ashdown describes his extraordinary life with honesty and a sensitivity that one would expect. Read more
Published 10 months ago by D. J. Andrews
A furtunate life turned out to be a fortunate read
I have always admired Paddy Ashdown and have even more admiration for him after reading A Fortunate Life. It is full of interest and totally absorbing. I fully recommend it.
Published on 1 Jan 2010 by Joan S. Denham
we have some things in common
I am still reading the book. It is nice to read about places you are familiar with. He writes about towns in Co Down, NI that I know well - Newtownards, Comber, Donaghadee. Read more
Published on 2 Aug 2009 by P. Bishop
A Remarkable Autobigraphy of a Remarkable Man
This book reveals the incredible life of a truly interesting man who has courage, tenacity and a willingness to help others. Read more
Published on 1 Aug 2009 by E. M. Clamp
Excellent book
I don t really read politicians books, never been interested but this is a good book; I took it on holiday and couldn t put it down....
Published on 15 July 2009 by Jean-marie Trehoret
Paddy can't be put down!
Have only just started reading this book and have found it really enjoyable. I am looking forward to each chapter. Read more
Published on 30 May 2009 by E. M. R. Grant
Paddy for PM
An inspired account of an inspiring life.
I was strongly reminded of another famous adventurer W.S. Read more
I was strongly reminded of another famous adventurer W.S. Read more
Published on 24 May 2009 by Jean S. Sampson
A Fortunate Life
This is the most fascinating Autobiography that I have read. His wartime experience in the army, is so realistic, that it is worthy of separate publication in itself. Read more
Published on 24 May 2009 by Mr. L. A. Spong
Book purchase
Paddy seems to have less to say on certain issues than I would expect. He appears to find it hard to "open up" so don't expect a "warts and all" biog here. Read more
Published on 24 May 2009 by Mr. M. Lawrence
A real military man's book
A Fortunate Life
A very good book written in an easy to read manner by a man who has had a very interesting and varied life. Read more
A very good book written in an easy to read manner by a man who has had a very interesting and varied life. Read more
Published on 22 May 2009 by Mr. P. COMMON
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