A fully updated edition of Gimson's 2006 biography, with new material covering Boris's years as Mayor of London. His distinctive appearance ('Like a haystack on a bicycle'), befuddled manner and ready wit have assured a high media profile and a large fanbase with the general public. In 2008 he was elected Mayor of London with over 1 million votes, the largest personal mandate of any UK politician. In this, the first and most authoritative biography of Boris, Andrew Gimson investigates Boris' twin-faced dilemma - politics or entertainment - and asks how deep his political ambition runs. Boris has transcended his class, education and his various occupations (Mayor of London, Conservative MP for Henley-on-Thames, Conservative spokesman for Higher Education, columnist on the Daily Telegraph, motoring correspondent for GQ, novelist, TV presenter) to become a paradoxical character - the old Etonian who fascinates teenagers as well as grandparents, the classical scholar who is also a TV quiz-show contestant. Despite being a comic actor of genius, he is not just an act and Andrew Gimson's biography covers all facets of this complex individual. There is his exotic Turkish ancestry, his place among five siblings, his competitive relationship with his father Stanley, the distinguished university career, his five years as a journalist in Brussels, his first failed venture into politics ('I fought Clwyd South - and Clwyd South fought back'), overseeing the Spectator during the David Blunkett affair and the Liverpool editorial fiasco which led to Boris' sacking from the shadow cabinet, his exile and return under David Cameron, his two marriages, four children and love affairs. Interviewing Boris' contemporaries, his family and his detractors, Andrew Gimson has created a fascinating and amusing portrait of this unique man of our times.
Boris
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Review
'Full of jokes and witty observations, this is a well-paced biography which leaves you wanting to know more' --Independent on Sunday
'A scintillating eulogy' --Telegraph Review
'Gales of laughter rip through every chapter' --Guardian
'Fascinating' --The Spectator
`Beautifully written' --Observer
`Reading Andrew Gimson's affectionate portrait of the Tories' biggest celebrity feels a bit like gambolling through a summer meadow in your underpants - daft, a little risqué and great fun... Boris is a national treasure, and Gimson has done him proud' --Sunday Times
`It is all rubbish from start to finish - but well-written rubbish' --Boris Johnson
`The scariest thing I've read since Silence of the Lambs' --Ken Livingstone
'A chatty, revelatory portrait of the blond crusader that pulls no punches' --Scotsman
'There are enough Jilly Cooper-style japes to make Boris the jolliest biog in ages' --Evening Standard
'A scintillating eulogy' --Telegraph Review
'Gales of laughter rip through every chapter' --Guardian
'Fascinating' --The Spectator
`Beautifully written' --Observer
`Reading Andrew Gimson's affectionate portrait of the Tories' biggest celebrity feels a bit like gambolling through a summer meadow in your underpants - daft, a little risqué and great fun... Boris is a national treasure, and Gimson has done him proud' --Sunday Times
`It is all rubbish from start to finish - but well-written rubbish' --Boris Johnson
`The scariest thing I've read since Silence of the Lambs' --Ken Livingstone
'A chatty, revelatory portrait of the blond crusader that pulls no punches' --Scotsman
'There are enough Jilly Cooper-style japes to make Boris the jolliest biog in ages' --Evening Standard
From the Inside Flap
When Andrew Gimson rang Boris Johnson and asked to write his
life, Boris laughed for a long time before replying, 'Such is my colossal
vanity that I have no intention of trying to forbid you.'
life, Boris laughed for a long time before replying, 'Such is my colossal
vanity that I have no intention of trying to forbid you.'
In this age of unmemorable politicians, Boris stands out as a beacon of
hope. He cracks jokes. He makes gaffes. He loves women, cars and bicycling.
He wants to be Prime Minister, but can a man seen as a clown ever get to
the top?
This witty portrait, written with an affectionate yet critical eye, tells
the astonishing story of the Boris phenomenon. It traces his exotic Turkish
ancestry, his discovery of the art of performance from his father Stanley,
his prodigious education, his forgotten first marriage, his comical sacking
from his first job on The Times newspaper, his anarchic brilliance as the
Telegraph's man in Brussels, his editorship of the Spectator during the
David Blunkett affair and the Liverpool fiasco, his travails when the
tabloids exposed his affairs, his dismissal from the Tory front bench by
Michael Howard and return under David Cameron.
In BORIS, Andrew Gimson has created a wonderfully vivid, touching and funny
picture of the only Tory to be famous for himself rather than because of
the offices he held.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 29 people found the following review helpful
By Anonymous
Format:Hardcover
For anyone who's interested in Boris Johnson, or even the British Conservative Party, this is a great book. It's a fantastically fun read, full of interesting facts and insight into Britain's most colorful Tory politician. I particularly liked the book because it doesn't try too hard. Unlike some 500-page biographical monsters, which read like a PhD history theses, "Boris" doesn't cover ever nook and cranny of its subject's life. We get the main points - family history, childhood, school, journalism, jokes, affairs - told in Andrew Gimson's very readable and unpretentious writing.
The book's short but not superficial. Gimson knows Boris well. They worked together on the Spectator magazine and Gimson is friends with a lot of the main players in Boris's life. It shows. There are several revelations. More importantly, Gimson shows great psychological insight. Boris comes across as an extremely intelligent, well-educated and energetic man - who adopts an amusing but slightly ridiculous joke-persona to cover up for a complete lack of discipline.
I finished the book rather liking Boris, and amazed he's gotten as far as he has. He really can be a prat. Some of the best stories include: how he had to leave the Times for making up a quote; the exaggeration in his Brussels coverage for the Telegraph; the fact he didn't write the anti-Liverpool Spectator editorial which he was crucified, and who did; that he saw his mistress Petronella Wyatt after breaking off their affair.
The only reason I haven't given this book five stars is because I think the top rating should be reserved for the very best books. If you'ld like to know what life is like for the conservative media and political establishment, this book is a fun place to start.
The book's short but not superficial. Gimson knows Boris well. They worked together on the Spectator magazine and Gimson is friends with a lot of the main players in Boris's life. It shows. There are several revelations. More importantly, Gimson shows great psychological insight. Boris comes across as an extremely intelligent, well-educated and energetic man - who adopts an amusing but slightly ridiculous joke-persona to cover up for a complete lack of discipline.
I finished the book rather liking Boris, and amazed he's gotten as far as he has. He really can be a prat. Some of the best stories include: how he had to leave the Times for making up a quote; the exaggeration in his Brussels coverage for the Telegraph; the fact he didn't write the anti-Liverpool Spectator editorial which he was crucified, and who did; that he saw his mistress Petronella Wyatt after breaking off their affair.
The only reason I haven't given this book five stars is because I think the top rating should be reserved for the very best books. If you'ld like to know what life is like for the conservative media and political establishment, this book is a fun place to start.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Reads like a fan-letter - not surprising, given the author is a good friend of the subject - hardly ideal for a biographer. Manages to capture the charm and entertainment value of Boris Johnson, but when portraying the other side - the ambition, egocentrism and affairs, - seeks only to see things from Boris' point of view.
If you like Boris, you'll like this book, but it's not a serious biography (to be fair to Gimson, Johnson hasn't really done anything yet to justify a serious biography) or nearly critical enough
If you like Boris, you'll like this book, but it's not a serious biography (to be fair to Gimson, Johnson hasn't really done anything yet to justify a serious biography) or nearly critical enough
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book was good in the end. When I started reading it I thought it was going to be horribly sycophantic, and the author's rose-tinted view of his mate. It wasn't, and the analysis seems pretty believable (apart from the Boris being PM bit).
I was attracted to this book because Boris is an entertaining character, but clearly has a serious side. I think he can do well in journalism and politics, but I have a funny suspicion that it could unravel the more senior he becomes. Simply refusing to engage with awkward questions, to me, seems to be a major flaw that people will get tired of.
He's an amusing character, and the world of politics and journalism would be much poorer without him.
Well done to the author for getting something out there, as curiosity is bound to rise over the next year.
I was attracted to this book because Boris is an entertaining character, but clearly has a serious side. I think he can do well in journalism and politics, but I have a funny suspicion that it could unravel the more senior he becomes. Simply refusing to engage with awkward questions, to me, seems to be a major flaw that people will get tired of.
He's an amusing character, and the world of politics and journalism would be much poorer without him.
Well done to the author for getting something out there, as curiosity is bound to rise over the next year.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Could not fail to please
An extremely well written and very perceptive book. Even though the subject provides many opportunities for a send-up, Andrew Gimson has produced both a serious and yet charming... Read more
Published 6 months ago by The Lady Morris
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Making of London's Mayor
Boris Johnson's life already provides enough material for several biographies, which is fortunate as there'll likely be several written, probably including one by himself... Read more
Published 10 months ago by David Herdson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Boris - predictable in his unpredictability
Finished this biography which I found amusing and informative, giving a more rounded view of Boris and making him more humane than he otherwise appears: spontaneous, refreshing,... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Constantin ROMAN
5.0 out of 5 stars
Minimal waffle and maximum impact.
I really enjoyed this book. It provides a fascinating insight into Boris Johnson's background and upbringing. Read more
Published on 13 Feb 2010 by Billie
3.0 out of 5 stars
Neither Comedy Nor Tragedy
Boris Johnson is often described as "privileged". This is true notwithstanding the fact that he in fact was not born into heavy wealth, despite attending both Eton and Oxford. Read more
Published on 4 Aug 2009 by Ian Millard
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not really Mr.Nice Guy
Boris Johnson is an enigma. One watches him on have I Got News For You and wonders is this man for real? Is it all a big act? Andrew Gimson writes well and gives us the answers. Read more
Published on 25 Jun 2007 by G. J. Weeks
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent fun
Highly entertaining biography written in sprightly style and full of affection (sometimes too much) for its subject. Read more
Published on 2 Feb 2007 by Charles
4.0 out of 5 stars
Boo To Grown-Ups
Boris Johnson; should be a perfectly risible proposition and yet isn't. In an age disproportionately populated with slithering spin-merchants, Johnson cuts a peculiarly refreshing... Read more
Published on 15 Oct 2006 by L. MONKS
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