5 minute read
Review - Citizen Clem / Here We Are
A Biography of Attlee
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by John Bew
riverrun John Bew makes a wonderful job covering the early years so thoroughly that it gives one an appreciation of the sort of family Attlee came from, very united and caring. That he was injured three times in the First World War and continued to fight was impressive, equally impressive his reaction to his brother’s conscientious objection even though he didn’t agree with it.
On leaving Haileybury, Attlee’s father gave each of the children sufficient income that they did not ‘have’ to work and this could have had quite a different influence on them than it did. It says much for all of them and their upbringing. I was very impressed with his years working selflessly in the East End. Later he formed a close friendship with Harry Hopkins (President Roosevelt’s speechwriter and architect of the “New Deal”), a man who had also been a social organiser in his early career.
That he was able to work well with Churchill and Beaverbrook in the coalition was impressive and very productive towards a successful government of the war effort not to mention mediating between all of them and those of his own party prone to be difficult, i.e. most of them.
I had not known much about his vision of a new Commonwealth coming from the Empire. It is possible to believe that without him it might not have happened in the way that it did. He wanted to end the empire the right way and had believed in “citizenship” all his life and was greatly influenced by this. This came across powerfully I thought.
I was also fascinated by the many problems post war. How difficult it must have been implementing his ambitions for a different society; fulfilling election obligations; dealing with the shortages of oil, gas, coal; and shortages of money, food, housing; along with all the problems world‑wide post war such as settlement in Israel, the situation with Russia, Korea, or withdrawal from India, Burma etc. I liked his quote in a letter to his brother, Tom, that “it had been a troublesome few weeks”. As always with Atlee an understatement.
I loved the descriptions of his wife Violet’s driving, and the formal event they went to despite his cracked rib from one of her accidents en route. He also refused to accept a government car for his canvassing as he considered it Labour Party business, not government business, and so Violet drove him around in the battered Hillman.
Finally I liked the quote from his obituary in the Economist “if there is a peculiar Attleean claim to fame it is as a cautious, quiet, capable operator at the heart of the main events, who eschewed the charismatic performances of all his great contemporaries”.
A great man and a wonderful read. It was after all the winner of The Orwell Prize for Political Writing. Moira Gamon
by Oliver Jeffers
Harper Collins Children’s Books This short but powerful book is ideal for children of all ages, including adults. Reading it I recalled the jolting emotional impact of a famous blend of story, scene and dialogue which has entered recent film history. The dialogue was delivered by a superb Julia Roberts to her equally superb co‑star Hugh Grant and, of course, straight to camera. Who seated in the darkened serried rows watching ‘Notting Hill’ will forget the scene and her concluding line: “I’m also just a girl (pause), standing in front of a boy (pause), asking him to love her.” The incredibly gifted Oliver Jeffers in his ‘Here We Are: Notes For Living On Planet Earth’ achieves the same impact as Julia Roberts but with a writer and illustrator’s near‑perfect blend: great insightful writing; serious themes deftly addressed; and wonderfully apt illustration.
The work of this writer and illustrator is a joy to read and examine. That he firstly conceived of such a thing of beauty is also a marvel. The title on the title page is bold, clear and explicit. On its opposite page the dedication is stated confidently and is unadorned (see panel below). Then, in much smaller type‑face and centred at the bottom of the page is a profound question from J. M. Barrie. Title and dedication tell you the reader what to expect from this book. You are in the hands of a master. Approach and you will not be disappointed.
“To my son, Harland This book was written in the first two months of your life as I tried to make sense of it all for you. These are the things I think you need to know.” “Shall we make a new rule of life from tonight: always to try to be a little kinder than is necessary?”
Born in Belfast and now living in Brooklyn, USA Oliver Jeffers has already created a fourteen strong collection of award‑winning and best‑selling picture books which are translated in many countries. This book reveals his wonderful sense of humour – but did he really name his son after a now closed ship‑yard that once dominated his home‑town and, indeed, in its hey‑day, dominated the world? Perhaps it represents the loss and yearning of a Belfast emigrant living and working in far‑off Brooklyn. Indeed, reflecting on his own youth in Belfast the book’s end‑piece is the advice he received from his own father: “There are only three words you need to live by, son: respect, consideration and tolerance.” – Oliver’s Dad, All round good human.”
What an example to set and to live by! Look around our great country and reflect upon how far we have now moved from such wholesome sound principles – and in such a short period of time. If you are minded to buy an adult or child you like or love a gift – for any reason, any occasion or even better for no reason at all – be creative and make a gift of this book. Indeed, be kind to yourself and buy Oliver Jeffers’s ‘Here We Are’ as a gift for your better self – the person we each aspire to be. Hugh Pollock
