lou's library

Politics is something I find equal parts fascinating and frustrating (although with the current state of the world, the frustration surely is winning at the moment). There is so much power held by so few people, so when one of them decides to write a book, I am always interested to hear their thoughts on the job. Because one thing is for sure: I wouldn’t want to do it. Also, looking back at a certain time period with hindsight allows for reflections on what could have been done better, and learning from the past surely can only ever be a good thing. So, here are some of my favourite political memoirs that both made me despair at the dirty business politics seems to be, but also gave me so much respect for these people who have dedicated years of their lives to public service.

Dreams From My Father by Barack Obama

This is the first book by Obama I ever read, back in 2020, when he had been out of office for a while and most of the world was missing him desperately (and don’t we still?). Since then, he has published the first volume of his account of his time in the White House, A Promised Land, which I have also read. But if you only have time (or energy) for one of the two, I would encourage you to read Dreams From My Father instead. It was published in 1995, long before he ever became president. He definitely had political aspirations back then already, but I found it fascinating to read words written by him before he had any idea who he would eventually become. Obama is a first-class writer and this account of how his father’s ancestry and person have shaped him were so interesting to read about. Of course, the book is also about the USA, his view of it and aspirations for it. But it’s also deeply personal, perhaps even more so than A Promised Land. He writes about visiting his father’s home land Kenya for the first time, and about how growing up in Honolulu shaped him. Reading this memoir has helped me understand one of my favourite politicians a bit better and, surprising for a political memoir, I did not want to put it down while reading.

Harry’s Last Stand by Harry Leslie Smith

Oh, Harry, it took me about two pages to love you wholeheartedly!!! I had never heard of Harry Leslie Smith before until I watched a Youtube video by Leena Norms, in which she recommended Harry’s Last Stand. Being the faithful Leena stan that I am, I went and bought the book and was in tears by the end (something that rarely happens when I’m reading, especially not with political memoirs). The author was born before the Great Depression and also survived the Second World War, going on to witness the creation of the Welfare State and the many benefits it had for millions of British citizens. Published in 2014, this memoir is a warning call not to gamble away all these gains from someone who experienced first hand how important a social security net is and how quickly things can change if everyone is determined to make shit happen. Harry Leslie Smith has sadly passed away since, but as I would argue things have definitely worsened in the decade since the publication of this book, it is probably a kindness he doesn’t have to witness the chaos that is modern British politics. But Harry’s Last Stand is also a rallying cry for people to come together and help one another, to fight for the version of your country you want and not to give up, because it’s always worth to stand up for each other and a better future. I believe we can learn a lot if we listen to those in our society who have experienced a lot, and Harry was such a person. I love that even though he’s not longer with us, we can still learn from him by reading this, and I encourage you to do just that. There’s so much wisdom in these pages.

Politics On The Edge by Rory Stewart

Uff, okay, this is probably the most unapologetic political memoir I have ever read. Rory Stewart, former UK Cabinet minister and co-host of The Rest Is Politics podcast, does not hold back when criticising his former colleagues. His account of his time as MP paints a dark picture of what is going on in the House of Commons. Apparently, most politicians care more about being promoted than their constituents (not that surprising, considering the shit show British politics seems to have become in recent years). But Rory Stewart is also critical of himself and admits to making mistakes or having fallen short of his own expectations. As someone who has studied British Studies, which involved politics, I found these insights fascinating, although of course also unbelievably tragic. I would recommend Politics On The Edge for its honesty, even though I do not agree with all of the author’s political views. I think it’s important to read the thoughts of someone you perhaps wouldn’t vote for, because if we all only ever stay in our own echo chamber, we will never learn anything new. I found Rory Stewart’s arguments to be well thought through and he seemed genuinely upset about his experiences as an MP, which is why I developed a lot of respect for him while reading this book. If you want to know what went on behind the scenes of British politics from 2010 to 2020, you have to read this!!

Freedom by Angela Merkel

I am one of those Germans who, until she stepped down in 2021, could only remember Angela Merkel as chancellor. And boy, have we been through some shit with her along our side, guiding us through it all. Perhaps that is why I struggled to make up my mind about her politics for a long while. It all seemed tainted with this deep sense of familiarity and thankfulness for her consistency. When you look at some of her policies or lack of action in certain areas (climate change, that thing we all used to care deeply about five years ago, for example), she really did not always do a great job, in my opinion. So when she released her memoir Freedom in late 2024, you best believe I got my hands on it ASAP. The German version is about 700 pages long, and while some sections were a bit more drawn out than necessary, it was very well written and easy to read. I tried hard to put my sympathies for her to one side and focus on the content ( I don’t know why but I just think she’s incredibly cool, which inevitably makes me less critical of her than I’d like to be). But I also tried to keep in mind that it’s always easy to criticise someone with the benefit of hindsight. It must be incredibly tough to make a decision in the spur of the moment that will directly impact the lives of millions of people. Then again, that’s basically the job description of a politician, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise to any of them. And while reading Freedom, I found myself wishing Angela Merkel would have come to a different conclusion about some of her decisions. I understand that in that precise moment with the knowledge she had at the time, she decided to do something. I just wish she then would have written in her memoir: Today, I would not do that again (or something along those lines). So, that was a bit disappointing. At the same time, the book deepened my belief that this woman is simply iconic without even having to try and so I’m just as confused as before reading the book. Great!!

This Boy by Alan Johnson

Alan Johnson was a Labour MP and became Home Secretary under Gordon Brown, so it’s safe to say he climbed the highest ladders of British politics. Given that he grew up in poverty in 1960’s London, him achieving something like that never was a given. In This Boy, he writes in detail about his childhood and a Britain that seems centuries away, even though it’s been mere decades. He became an orphan at the age of 13 and his sister became his primary carer. For someone with a background like his to become a politician is incredibly rare in Britain. Most MPs have been privately educated and gone to Oxford or Cambridge. To read about someone who knows what it means to grow up in incredibly tough circumstances but who nonetheless made it to the top was heartwarming and encouraging. The best part for me is that Alan Johnson’s writing was so charismatic and witty and funny and he acknowledged how lucky he was to have gotten to where he ended up. There was no ‘just work hard and you’ll make it’ bullshit but an acknowledgment of how unequal British society is, which means that it is very difficult for people like him to rise to the top. This Boy is a good follow up read to Rory Stewart’s Politics On The Edge to restore your faith in humanity.

There you have it, some of the best political memoirs I have read. I genuinely do believe you will enjoy these and take something away from them even if you’re not into politics!! So, do give them a go and let me know your thoughts, please <33