Reasons to be Cheerful - Mark Steel > Reviews

Advantages: Pulls no punches. Tells it like the author sees it
Disadvantages: Does require the reader to have some knowledge of 1980's politics- including some obscure campaigns !

I read John O'Farrell's review of being a liberal middle-class Labour supporter in the 1980's, and loved it. Now, Mark Steel brings the rough boys' version. Mark Steel creates this humorous autobiography written from the point of view of a genuine working class boy through to young (and eventually middle aged) man, with no punches pulled and no apologies made. Steel talks about his experiences as a young under-payed manual worker, graduating to ... Read review

Advantages: Manages to combine politics with humour without disappearing up his own arse.
Disadvantages: Too short. Oh, and nothing on the plight of the Nicaraguan matchworkers (Sorry, it's an in-joke)

I've got a confession to make. I really like writing scathing reviews of books; it's fantastic, especially if they're written by Simon Heffer or Adolf Hitler. However, for Mark Steel, my bile will stay firmly rooted in my metaphorical gall bladder. Mark Steel's a great stand-up, and I wondered if his style would translate to the written word, Luckily, it did. The book chronicles the ups, but it has to be said, mainly the downs of the Socialist movement ... Read review