Just Boris: The Irresistible Rise of a Political Celebrity: Amazon.co.uk: Sonia Purnell: Books

Review

'Through fast prose and a vast array of interviews, Purnell ... portrays better than any predecessor the arrogance, opportunism, and irresistible buffoonery of our most celebrated politician.' (Independent on Sunday )

'If you want the full Johnson experience, do read Sonia Purnell's new biography, Just Boris ... Johnson's supporters have depicted the book as a hatchet job. But actually it struck me as commendably fair' (Andrew Sparrow The Guardian )

'Gripping' (Quentin Letts The Daily Mail )

'Future biographers will always be in her debt. Purnell has accumulated a wealth of previously unknown detail' (Andrew Gimson The Spectator )

'Filled with gems ... will make uncomfortable reading for Boris' (Camilla Long The Sunday Times )

'Thorough study...sharply narrated and dilgently researched.' (New Statesman )

'A rollicking narrative' (Observer )

'This is a thorough biography and Johnson is a compelling subject' (Financial Times )

‘Whether you like Boris or loathe him, he is a class act and Sonia Purnell’s excellent book is a must read for those who want to understand this mystery wrapped in an enigma.’ – Jerry Hayes (Spectator.co.uk )

‘One of the many virtues of Purnell’s forensic biography is that she broadly leaves the reader to make up their own mind about the true nature of this political phenomenon. Writing as a trained journalist, what Purnell does admirably is marshall the facts, warts and all, about this man.’ (Conservativehome.blogs.com )

‘Fill your Christmas stockings with this' - Nick Ferrrai (LBC )

'Colourful biography...Purnell decodes Johnson's complex personality' (The Guardian )

‘Sonia Purnell’s Just Boris stood out as a critical, illuminating view of London’s great blonde egomaniac’ - Anne McElvoy (New Statesman )

‘Meticulous and quietly devastating’ (Standpoint )

‘Meticulously researched and well presented’ (The Oldie )

'Gives good pointers on Johnson’s real beliefs as to who should be the [Conservatives’] leader, and on his future relationship with Cameron' - Stephen Hammond MP (Total Politics )

‘Thoroughly researched and well-crafted … If you want to know who and what Boris is, read Sonia Purnell's book.’ (Literary Review )

Review

'Through fast prose and a vast array of interviews, Purnell ... portrays better than any predecessor the arrogance, opportunism, and irresistible buffoonery of our most celebrated politician.' Independent on Sunday 'If you want the full Johnson experience, do read Sonia Purnell's new biography, Just Boris ... Johnson's supporters have depicted the book as a hatchet job. But actually it struck me as commendably fair' -- Andrew Sparrow The Guardian 'Gripping' -- Quentin Letts The Daily Mail 'Future biographers will always be in her debt. Purnell has accumulated a wealth of previously unknown detail' -- Andrew Gimson The Spectator 'Filled with gems ... will make uncomfortable reading for Boris' -- Camilla Long The Sunday Times 'Thorough study...sharply narrated and dilgently researched.' New Statesman 'A rollicking narrative' Observer 'This is a thorough biography and Johnson is a compelling subject' Financial Times 'Whether you like Boris or loathe him, he is a class act and Sonia Purnell's excellent book is a must read for those who want to understand this mystery wrapped in an enigma.' - Jerry Hayes Spectator.co.uk 'One of the many virtues of Purnell's forensic biography is that she broadly leaves the reader to make up their own mind about the true nature of this political phenomenon. Writing as a trained journalist, what Purnell does admirably is marshall the facts, warts and all, about this man.' Conservativehome.blogs.com 'Fill your Christmas stockings with this' - Nick Ferrrai LBC 'Colourful biography...Purnell decodes Johnson's complex personality' The Guardian 'Sonia Purnell's Just Boris stood out as a critical, illuminating view of London's great blonde egomaniac' - Anne McElvoy New Statesman 'Meticulous and quietly devastating' Standpoint 'Meticulously researched and well presented' The Oldie 'Gives good pointers on Johnson's real beliefs as to who should be the [Conservatives'] leader, and on his future relationship with Cameron' - Stephen Hammond MP Total Politics 'Thoroughly researched and well-crafted ... If you want to know who and what Boris is, read Sonia Purnell's book.' Literary Review

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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

What lies beneath 3 Oct 2011

By Brackenbury Buzz

Format:Hardcover

It's always disturbing to learn about the murkier side of any politician's life but this time it's also hilarious and fabulously shocking. Intellect has no doubt propelled Boris a long way but it's his blind, ruthless ambition that really comes through in the book.

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21 of 22 people found the following review helpful

Essential reading for all London voters 3 Oct 2011

By C. L. James

I'll confess, I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Labour voter and was aghast when Boris Johnson beat Ken Livingstone to become Mayor of London in 2008. Indeed, I bought this book precisely because I wanted to arm myself with evidence to help sway those of my friends considering voting for Boris again in 2012. And there's certainly much for anti-BoJo types to quote from here. In particular stories about his 'part-time' approach to the mayoralty, some alarming allegations from a former Met officer about political interference in London's policing, and revelations about quite how much the 'Boris Bikes' and other so-called 'vanity projects' are likely to cost Londoners.

That all said, I can't say the book is overtly hostile to Boris. If I was forced to guess, I'd say Sonia Purnell probably voted for him. There's a certain quality of admiration in her writing. At the very least, she's genuinely fascinated by Boris and her depiction of him as the most cunning, charismatic and complicated character in British life today is hard to deny.

Which is probably why, despite myself, I found the Boris presented by this book so entertaining. His isn't the dull story of uninterrupted privilege and career politics that Purnell seems to believe David Cameron has enjoyed - although that's not to say Boris isn't privileged. There's much wit, roguish behaviour, and just plain bad behaviour to be enjoyed here. And some of that behaviour is so bad you could be forgiven for wondering, 'How can he ever have become an MP, let alone Mayor after that?' But, as Purnell argues convincingly, his carefully crafted public persona - Boris the Buffoon - acts as a Teflon shield that allows him to get away with it.

Personally, I could have done with less about Boris's supposed philandering and sexual appetites (if the French disqualified men from public office on the grounds of sexual infidelity there'd be very few left to run the country!). However, that's still a relatively small part of a big, very thorough book which should be essential reading for anyone who professes to care about London - whether you love Boris, or loathe him.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

Boris uncovered 28 Oct 2011

By JB

The cult of personality is alive and well and living, not just in North Korea, but also in central London. 'Just Boris' illuminates a driven, complex, contradictory personality who is well on the way to conquering a great many more of us with well-practised smoke and mirrors. Sonia Purnell's forensic examination of the man would would be PM reveals, with humour and considered analysis, something of the real man behind the engaging clown Boris Johnson would have us believe he is. If only Johnson believed in himself, he might have made it. Purnell tracks the rise of a man who has had an astonishingly privileged bike ride through the corridors of power. For all of her revelations, Purnell is as intrigued as the rest of us by one of the most engaging yet baffling politicians in decades. An excellent read.