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Climbing the Bookshelves: The Autobiography of Shirley Williams
The voice of a strong and passionate woman of luminous intelligence
The role of women in our society has changed out of all recognition.But it has changed least in the House of Commons. I want to describe those changes and the resistances to them through the magnifying glass of my own life, a life that coincides with our turbulent post-war history.
Shirley Williams was born ...more
The role of women in our society has changed out of all recognition.But it has changed least in the House of Commons. I want to describe those changes and the resistances to them through the magnifying glass of my own life, a life that coincides with our turbulent post-war history.
Shirley Williams was born ...more
Hardcover
,
432 pages
Published
September 1st 2009
by Virago UK
(first published 2009)
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Community Reviews
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I've read Testament of Youth and Friendship by Vera Brittain,(Shirley Willam's mother) many times, so the early part of this book was interesting to read form a different perspective. From her early twenties Williams was heavily involved in Britsh politics, so the rest of the book reads more like a politcal history of the 20th century, rather than a personal history. For this reason, like many autobiographies, was is left out or skimmed over, is sometimes more revealing than what has been left i
...more
I think this memoir is frank, reader-friendly and inspiring since it's written by a lady politician which is quite rare in any country in the world. One of the reasons is that politics has long been dominated by men rather than women. In ancient times, of course, they needed leadership, decision and valour from male soldiers, professionals and politicians. However, in our 20th century and beyond, we can see more and more such female counterparts emerge, get involved and take action in various fi
...more
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Whatever your political leanings, you will respect Shirley Williams after reading this book.
The baroness explains how she managed to reach such high office in the UK and abroad, all this at a time when it wasn't quite accepted to be a single parent. She goes into a lot of detail about her personal & political life, her set backs, weaknesses, mistakes and regrets. The book had me go through a roller coaster of emotions.
It's well written and an easy read.
The baroness explains how she managed to reach such high office in the UK and abroad, all this at a time when it wasn't quite accepted to be a single parent. She goes into a lot of detail about her personal & political life, her set backs, weaknesses, mistakes and regrets. The book had me go through a roller coaster of emotions.
It's well written and an easy read.
I think I heard a review on the radio, or an interview and thought this would be an interesting book... So for some time,I scoured the book shelves in the local charity shops and after a couple years of looking without any luck, went and bought it from ebay.
It started well- her early life was interesting enough but then we hit university.
Now, for the first time in a very long time I decided my time was better spent in other pursuits. I rarely give up on a book, but it just became a list of name ...more
It started well- her early life was interesting enough but then we hit university.
Now, for the first time in a very long time I decided my time was better spent in other pursuits. I rarely give up on a book, but it just became a list of name ...more
An intelligent autobiography by an interesting woman - not too political either, though it is clear where her loyalties lie.
A fascinating insight into the life of an amazing lady. I particularly enjoyed the earlier parts of the book in which Shirley describes her childhood. The things she had done by the age of 16 were quite astounding. Puts life today into perspective!
Oct 10, 2009
Paul Servini
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommended to Paul by:
paul.servini2@gmail.com
Shelves:
biography
I only had an abridged audio version available to me for this reading - although it was read by the great woman herself. This was enough to whet my appetite and I'd love to try and get hold of the full version. Highly interesting, full of insights into one of this country's greatest politicians.
Have always had tremendous admiration for Shirley Williams and this book does not disappoint. Aside from the political shenanigans I am enjoying it also from the point of view that I am of similar age to Shirley Williams so there are many memories with which I can identify.
I thoroughly enjoyed getting another perspective on events. I could remember some of the news headlines and to get an insight from a different perspective was good.
Fascinating insight into Shirley's life, the massive discrimination she faced in The House of Commons and the history of the Social Democrat Party.
Very good for the political schisms of the 1970s and 1980s. Lacking detail for more recent tomes, but a very entertaining writing style.
interesting life because of her Mother. Finding it a bit of a struggle but factual political history always worth a read
Very enjoyable and interesting... for a politics anorak like me! The most likeable politician of her generation.
I didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I would. I've come to the conclusion that I just don't get politics.
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