Boris Johnson

The Gambler

Tom Bower

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English

W H ALLEN
31 August 2021

Biography; Biography: historical, political & military; Memoirs; Politics & government

With his trademark access, insight and candour, Britain's leading investigative biographer tackles his most fascinating subject yet- Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson, the UK's Prime Minister.

Guardian 'literary highlights of 2020' Sunday Times 'books to watch out for in 2020' New Statesman 'books to read in 2020' Evening Standard 'thirteen titles to look for in 2020'

As divisive as he is beguiling, as misunderstood as he is scrutinised, Boris Johnson is a singular figure.

Many of us think we know his story well. His ruthless ambition was evident from his insistence, as a three-year-old, that he would one day be 'world king'. Eton and Oxford prepared him well for a frantic career straddling the dog-eat-dog worlds of journalism and politics. His transformation from bumbling stooge on Have I Got New for You to a triumphant Mayor of London was overshadowed only by his colourful personal life, brimming with affairs, scandals and transgressions. His ascent to Number 10 in the wake of the acrimonious, era-defining Brexit referendum would prove to be only the first act in an epic drama that saw him play both hero and villain - from proroguing parliament to his controversial leadership of the Covid-19 Crisis, all against the backdrop of divorce, marriage, the birth of his sixth child, revolts among Tory MPs and the countdown to Brexit.

Yet despite his celebrity, decades of media scrutiny, the endless vitriol of his critics and the enduring adoration of his supporters, there is so much we've never understood about Boris - until now. Previous biographies have either dismissed him as a lazy, deceitful opportunist or been transfixed by his charm, wit and drive. Both approaches fall short, and so many questions about Boris remain unanswered.

What seismic events of his childhood have evaded scrutiny? How has he so consistently defied the odds, proved his critics wrong, and got away with increasingly reckless gambles? What were his real achievements and failures as Mayor of London, what was really going on during his time as Foreign Secretary, and why did he write two articles for the Telegraph, one in favour of Leave and the other for Remain? How have the women in his life exerted more influence than any of us realise, and why is his story ultimately one overshadowed by family secrets?

Based on a wealth of new interviews and research, this is the deepest, most rounded and most comprehensive portrait to date of the man, the mind, the politics, the affairs, the family - of a loner, a lover, a leader.

Revelatory, unsettling and compulsively readable, it is the most timely and indispensable book yet from Britain's leading investigative biographer.

By: Tom Bower
Imprint: W H ALLEN
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 198mm, Width: 126mm, Spine: 32mm
Weight: 462g
ISBN: 9780753554920
ISBN 10: 0753554925
Pages: 320
Publication Date: 31 August 2021
Audience: General/trade , College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , ELT Advanced , Primary
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Tom Bower is acknowledged as Britain's leading investigative writer. His 24 bestselling books encompass a remarkably wide range of subjects. His most recent books include the most authoritative and best-selling account of Tony Blair's decade as prime minister and the definitive biographies of Gordon Brown and Geoffrey Robinson MP. His previous book published in 2018, The Rebel Prince, the story of Prince Charles's scandal-ridden bid to rehabilitate himself after Princess Diana's death, was a number one best-seller. Bower is probably is best known for his unvarnished and unauthorised biographies of Britain's most controversial tycoons including Robert Maxwell, Richard Branson, Mohamed Fayed, Tiny Rowland, Bernie Ecclestone and Simon Cowell. However, his previous books won great acclaim.

Reviews for Boris Johnson: The Gambler

Another brilliant book by the master biographer * Piers Morgan * Tom Bower made his name as a writer of acid-pen biographies and his latest is no exception ... It's all there: the affairs, the lies, the broken promises, the unpaid debts. * Jonathan Freedland, The Guardian BOOK OF THE WEEK * A colourful and often catty read... full of zingers... Bower insists Boris Johnson should not be underestimated * The Telegraph * Staggering... Tom Bower [is] the master of the unauthorised biography * Tatler * EXPLOSIVE... Contains a string of startling revelations about Mr Johnson's public and personal life, and goes farther than any previous biography towards solving the enigma of his true personality... The political book of 2020. * Daily Mail *