Free Radical: New Century Essays [Hardcover]

Tony Benn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 30, 2003

In 2001, Tony Benn, one of the most influential socialist politicians in Europe, retired from the British House of Commons after almost 50 years in politics, to 'devote more time to politics'. One of the ways in which he carried out his resolution was to write a series of weekly columns for the Morning Star, a British socialist daily newspaper. These columns reflect the breadth of Benn's political concerns, covering both domestic and international politics, and the best of them have been collected here. Benn writes with a controlled passion about the Labour party (old and new), the threats to democracy and the need for a viable protest movement, and the events and repercussions of September 11, 2001.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An admirably coherent adn reasonable assessment of the record of New Labour."
--The Bookseller, April 2003

"His chapter on the Church and modern management is particularly insightful and worthy of attention." -Catholic Times

About the Author

Tony Benn, born in London in 1925, is a former cabinet minister and Chairman of the Labour Party. He served as an MP for over fifty years and is the author of fifteen books, including his published diaries covering the period 1940--2001.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 260 pages
• Publisher: Continuum (April 30, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 082646596X
• ISBN-13: 978-0826465962
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,077,733 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Words of Sincerity, May 26, 2005

By 

M. G. SFAELLOU "Platanos" (Greece) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Free Radical: New Century Essays (Hardcover)

It is always edifying to have the good fortune to be able to listen to (or read) this wise and kind man. Tony Benn has always been the contradiction in terms of a "sincere politician". He has been a steadfast champion of justice and an honest voice in the British House of Commons. He gave up his peerage and all the priveleges that accompanied it to devote his life to speaking the truth and fighting for the weak, the forgotten, the abused and those without a voice. Often this has been a fight that he has had to undertake alone. It is undoubtedly the greatest tragedy not only for Britain but for the world that Tony Benn did not challenge the leadership of the 'Labour'party (if this party still deserves this name). He would have been the greatest British prime minister in history. There would also have been much more justice, decency and fair play in the world. Even though it is perhaps too late for this meek, wise and slightly ageing man to ever become the leader of his country, what he says is still of great value.

4.0 out of 5 stars a decent collection of his better articles, October 17, 2009

By 

hailzoidberg (Keedysville, Maryland United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Free Radical (Paperback)

Not all contemporary, but as the title says a decent collection of his writings about 21st century politics in Britain.