Porridge and Passion [Paperback]

Jonathan Aitken (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 10, 2006

In this sequel to his first volume of autobiography Pride and Perjury, Aitken starts his story as he is taken down from the courtroom and incarcerated at Her Majesty's Pleasure. How this Old Etonian former Cabinet Minister on Mrs Thatcher's inner circle managed to establish new relationships and lasting friendships with fellow prisoners is fascinating -- so too is this account of how religious belief transformed his life. Aitken has lost none of his charm, fluency and determination -- and he has found an authentic new life which readers of this entertaining new book will be able to judge for themselves.

'A rich collection of humorous tales of prison life... Aitken seems to have found a new vocation of both a funny writer and a serious prison reformer.' Tablet

Editorial Reviews

Review

MAIL ON SUNDAY 'Aitken's earlier volumes of memoirs, Pride and Perjury, which he completed a few days before entering prison, chronicled his fall from grace. It was more muddled in its intent, veering uneasily between abject penitence and furious self-righteousness. Here in this second volume, his state of mind, and therefore the tone of the book, are both clearer.'

'A rich collection of humorous tales of prison life... Aitken seems to have found a new vocation as both a funny writer and a serious prison reformer.' Tablet

'The story of his spiritual journey of prayer, repentance and commitment to a new life in Christ is told with candour, humour and humility... well written and makes for compelling reading.' Methodist Recorder

"His [Aitken's] moving book shows that, like John Profumo, he has found he can do more good outside the limelight than he could in front of it. His humour and detachment show that his fall from arrogance has left him a far better man than the journalists who sought his blood." Contemporary Review, Spring 2007

"a very refreshing read, and it is a superb testimony to what God can do in a life surrendered to Him"

(Keswick Convention Handbook )

"a very refreshing read, and it is a superb testimony to what God can do in a life surrendered to Him"

(, )

About the Author

Jonathan Aitken, a former MP and cabinet minister, is the author of 12 books, including his award-winning biography of President Richard Nixon. His recent titles published by Continuum include Pride and Perjury, Psalms for People under Pressure, Prayers for People under Pressure, Charles W. Colson: A Life Redeemed, Heroes and Contemporaries and Nazarbayev and the Making of Kazakhstan.

Product Details

• Paperback: 268 pages
• Publisher: Continuum (May 10, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826480683
• ISBN-13: 978-0826480682
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,515,683 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jonathan Aitken is a well-known British author and former politician. He was a Member of Parliament for twenty-three years, serving in the Cabinet as Chief Secretary to the Treasury and also as Minister of State for Defense. His political career ended when he pleaded guilty to charges of perjury as a result of having told a lie on oath in a civil libel lawsuit. During an eighteen-month prison stay, he converted to Christ. He is president of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, a director of Prison Fellowship International, and executive director of The Trinity Forum in Europe. He is the author of twelve books, including the award-winning Nixon: A Life and Charles W. Colson: A Life Redeemed.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The genuineness of Jonathan Aitken - British Cabinet Minister, convicted perjurer, jailbird and now-reformed character, July 30, 2006

By 

Guptara Prabhu "Prabhu Guptara" (Weinfelden, Switzerland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Porridge and Passion (Paperback)

Being highly sceptical by nature, and merely on the basis of media reports, I have had reservations about the reformation of Jonathan Aitken. But I should have read one of his books earlier. As it is the summer holiday, I have finally got around to reading the second volume of his autobiography, Porridge and Passion, which starts with the drama surrounding his sentencing at The Old Bailey and covers his experiences at three of Britain's high security prisons, his post-release depression and the rebuilding of his life through his studies, his re-marriage and his new career as writer, speaker, broadcaster and volunteer social worker specially in the field of the rehabilitation of released prisoners.

The book is by turns disturbing, frightening, funny and poignant. Aitken has the ability to focus on an aspect of life and recreate it, as well as the ability to apply his considerable intellectual and human skills to major social challenges such as prison reform (one of his new passions).

Some people will continue to have reservations about his reformation. I must here declare that I now have none: (1) he acknowledges his fault simply and clearly (though I would have liked greater insight into why he lied under oath in court, I am not sure that we humans really understand our motivations very well); (2) he has paid the price that society required of him; and (3) he has gone about paying his debt to God and to his family with simplicity and (as far as I can work out) with consistency. His new life seems entirely admirable.

If you are looking for an inspiring gift for someone, or simply for your next book to read, I warmly recommend this book and I am myself looking forward to reading his other books.