Sloppy work
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Kenneth Morgan's bibliography lists me as Clyde Rollyson, not correctly as Carl Rollyson. He lists my book as TO BE A WOMAN and leaves off the important subtitle, A LIFE OF JILL CRAIGIE (Michael Foot's wife). He lists the publisher of my book as Ashgate. The publisher is, in fact, Aurum Press. Worst of all, he appropriates the story of Foot's affair with "Lamia" recounted in full detail in my book, TO BE A WOMAN, without even citing my book. Indeed he provides no source at all, not even an interview with Michael Foot, who I interviewed extensively for my book. The press has given Mr. Morgan credit for a story that is not his, and I can see why, since he does not acknowledge my work.
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A groud breaking biography
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This is a fascinating and well written insight into the life of Michael Foot where I learn't not just about Michael Foot the politician but also about Michael Foot the man and literary polymath. The best biography I've read in a long time.
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Worthy historical study of Michael Foot's life and works
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This is, on the whole, an interesting book by an established political historian and biographer (and Labour peer in the House of Lords). While many people are familiar with the scornful newspaper stereotypes of Foot from the early 1980s when he led the Labour Party, this biogaphy provides a detailed assessment of both his party political activities and his 'hinterland', especially his early years as a journalist and author (either writing columns for or editing, the Evening Standard and Tribune, amongst other publications, and his co-authored book, Guilty Men, written at the outbreak of World War Two)
It is, on the whole, sympathetic in tone, but is honest about Foot's noticeable illiteracy on matters of economic policy (which his political opponents gleefully exploited as a result of the commitments contained in the 1983 Labour General Election manifesto). While some readers may find the internal politics, personality clashes and left-right tribalism of the Labour Party tedious, this forms an essential backdrop to any serious assessment of a major post-war Labour politician. There is also a wealth of detail on the other members of the Foot clan, and their individual life and works.
A dry, but rewarding read.
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