Letters To My Grandchildren [Paperback]

"A portrait of a good man whose extraordinary enthusiasm for the world is both incredibly undiminished and endearing." --"Times"

'There is a passion in Benn's writing and speaking that far transcends the miserable aspirations of most contemporary politicians' Paul Foot, Guardian

As a diarist I have chronicled the time through which I have lived in meticulous detail: but all that is history. What matters now is the future for those who will live through it.

The past is the past but there may be lessons to be learned which could help the next generation to avoid mistakes their parents and grandparents made.

Certainly at my age I have learned an enormous amount from the study of history - not so much from the political leaders of the time but from those who struggled for justice and explained the world in a way that shows the continuity of history and has inspired me to do my work.

Normality for any individual is what the world is like on the day they are born. The normality of the young is wholly different from the normality of their grandparents.

It is the disentangling of the real questions from the day to day business of politics that may make sense for those who take up the task as they will do.

Every generation has to fight the same battles as their ancestors had to fight, again and again, for there is no final victory and no final defeat. Two flames have burned from the beginning of time - the flame of anger against injustice and the flame of hope. If this book serves its purpose it will fan both flames.

Tony Benn's twin messages - of hope, and of anger against injustice - have always appealed to the young and idealistic, even to those who don't share his political beliefs. As Peter Hennessy wrote, 'what is special about him is his constant curiosity about why things are as they are, why they have to be that way and what he can do about them.' In these letters to his ten grandchildren and their generation, Tony Benn uses his enormous experience of life to encourage them to question everything as they cope with the challenges they will face. Written with affection and respect, his hope is that this book will inspire young people to reject the pessimism and cynicism that are so prevalent today and above all to have confidence in themselves. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Tony Benn's twin messages - of hope, and of anger against injustice - have always appealed to the young and idealistic, even to those who don't share his political beliefs. As Peter Hennessy wrote, 'what is special about him is his constant curiosity about why things are as they are, why they have to be that way and what he can do about them.'

In these letters to his ten grandchildren and their generation, Tony Benn uses his enormous experience of life to encourage them to question everything as they cope with the challenges they will face. Written with affection and respect, his hope is that this book will inspire young people to reject the pessimism and cynicism that are so prevalent today and above all to have confidence in themselves.

'There is a portrait here of a good man whose extraordinary enthusiasm for the world is both incredibly undiminished and endearing' The Times

'A charming introduction to Benn's work' Socialist Review

'Inspiring and tremendously moving' Good Book Guide

Tony Benn entered the Commons in 1950 and with Ted Heath held the record for post-war service as an MP. He has held four cabinet posts and has twice contended the leadership of the Labour Party, of which he has also been chairman. His many books include eight individual volumes of diaries and the childhood memoir, Dare to Be a Daniel. (20041021)