Strictly Ann: The Autobiography

Forthright memoirs of a singular personality - former MP and Strictly Come Dancing star, Ann Widdecombe. In this life story of one of our most outspoken and celebrated politicians, Ann Widdecombe offers a unique insight into her time as a minister in three government departments and the Shadow Cabinet in the 1990s, as well as taking us back to her wandering childhood and explaining the roots of her deeply held views. A rare anti-hunting Tory, who campaigned for prison education and once donned a miner's overalls to go down a coal mine, Ann Widdecombe has never shied away from controversy. Her memoirs reveal a singular personality who lives life to the full. From feisty appearances on Have I Got News for You to her unforgettable and star-turning performances on Strictly Come Dancing, Ann has earned her place in the public's affections and has been heralded as a 'national living treasure' by the Guardian.

About the Author :
Born in 1947, Ann Widdecombe was brought up in Singapore. She entered Parliament as MP for Maidstone in 1987. Her four novels are published by Orion.

Review :
She gives a unique insight into the workings of government from her time as a minister in three departments and as a member of the Shadow cabinet in the 1990s You wouldn't expect Ann Widdecombe to pull her punches - but there's NEVER been a political autobiography quite like this The book captures the intensity of emotions and the relentlessness of intrigue at Westminster for a minister determined to hold on to her integrity under what feels to her like pressure from all sides. It is a vivid portrayal of a world she clearly loves It is briskly and competently written ... if you are a Widdy fan, as she seems to believe most people are, you'll enjoy this book Ann Widdecombe has sailed through life with the same brisk, no-nonsense style that she brings to this highly readable memoir The book is breezily written, as befits the author of four novels, and characteristically honest a feisty public figure in an increasingly conformist world, a woman who doesn't give a toss what you think about her looks and isn't prepared to compromise her views for anyone From Singapore to Dartmoor and Parliament to the pantomime stage, Ann takes readers on a gloriously entertaining journey through her life Publishers know that the sales of political memoirs depend entirely on the author's popularity. This explains why Alan Johnson's autobiography has risen skywards while poor David Blunkett's performed a bellyflop. Widdecombe's ripping tale will follow the flightpath of the former If feminism is about robust individualism and uncompromising, occasionally bolshie personality - and your guess is as good as mine - well, she's up there with Mary Beard ... She's good-humoured about the controversies but gets her own back Ann Widdecombe is big. It's politics that got small She has a compelling story to tell, particularly about political dramas at the heart of Westminster and, with the instinctive gift for narrative that has made her a successful novelist, she relates it in a highly readable style Hugely entertaining autobiography ... the principal joy of this book, though, is that, reading it, you could just as easily be sitting chatting to Ann But I have great pleasure in saying that this book is a cut above the usual political autobiography and I would have been proud to publish it The former minister, author and Express columnist's life story is clearly a gripping read This is a charming portrait of growing up, an insightful portrait of an age, and a candid account of the mess of Parliament from a survivor of the electoral carnage of 1997 She had many of Thatcher's qualities, with more of the wit