Alan Johnson

‘The finest prose stylist in the House of Commons since Roy Jenkins’ Mark Lawson WINNER OF A WESTMINSTER BOOK AWARD ?Harold Wilson was one of the most successful politicians of the twentieth century. Prime Minister from 1964-70, and again from 1974-76, he won four elections as well as a referendum on UK membership of the European Community. The achievements of the Wilson Era – from legalising homosexuality to protecting ethnic minorities, from women’s rights to the Open University – radically improved ordinary people’s lives for the better. In Harold Wilson, former Labour cabinet minister and bestselling author Alan Johnson presents a portrait of a truly twentieth-century man, whose ‘white heat’ speech proclaimed a scientific and technological revolution – and who was as much a part of the sixties as the Beatles and the Profumo scandal.

'A cracking crime thriller' The SunTHERE'S BLOOD ON THE WATER. NO ONE IS SAFE...1999. A young Detective Constable Louise Mangan crosses the Thames one misty morning in pursuit of a killer. She finds a tranquil community on a leafy island close to Hampton Court Palace, but soon realises that all is not as it seems. There is something evil at play in this quiet suburb, and this junior detective's questions seem only to scratch the surface.Twenty years later, a horrific fire brings Detective Chief Superintendent Mangan back to that same island. Soon, she discovers that murder was just a drop in these dark waters.The river runs deep, and the tide is rising at last. Will the truth rise with it?Praise for Alan Johnson's novels:'A punchy thriller' Irish Independent'A fast-paced who-done-what' SAGA Magazine'Featuring espionage, the Russian Mafia and a gorgeous female on a train with a deadly secret, the tantalising plot has set Alan up for dominance of the bestseller charts for years to come' Fiona Phillips'Is there no limit to his talents? . . . I absolutely loved Alan's new thriller, it's brilliant' Hunter Davies'Johnson's writing style is easy, relaxed, self-deprecating . . . impressive' Observer'Johnson writes wonderfully' Telegraph'This boy can write . . .' The Spectator

‘The finest prose stylist in the House of Commons since Roy Jenkins’ Mark Lawson WINNER OF A WESTMINSTER BOOK AWARD ?Harold Wilson was one of the most successful politicians of the twentieth century. Prime Minister from 1964-70, and again from 1974-76, he won four elections as well as a referendum on UK membership of the European Community. The achievements of the Wilson Era – from legalising homosexuality to protecting ethnic minorities, from women’s rights to the Open University – radically improved ordinary people’s lives for the better. In Harold Wilson, former Labour cabinet minister and bestselling author Alan Johnson presents a portrait of a truly twentieth-century man, whose ‘white heat’ speech proclaimed a scientific and technological revolution – and who was as much a part of the sixties as the Beatles and the Profumo scandal.

As they seek to explore evolving and conflicting ideas of nationhood and modernity, India’s writers have often chosen forests as the dramatic setting for stories of national identity. India’s Forests, Real and Imagined explores how these settings have been integral to India's sense of national consciousness. Alan Johnson demonstrates that modern writers have drawn on older Indian literary traditions of the forest as a place of exile, trial and danger to shape new ideas of India as a modern nation. The book casts new light on a wide range of modern writers, from Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay – widely regarded as the first Indian novelist – to contemporary authors such as Amitav Ghosh, Arundhati Roy, and Salman Rushdie as well as local attitudes to nationhood and the environment across the country.

'A cracking crime thriller' The SunTHERE'S BLOOD ON THE WATER. NO ONE IS SAFE...1999. A young Detective Constable Louise Mangan crosses the Thames one misty morning in pursuit of a killer. She finds a tranquil community on a leafy island close to Hampton Court Palace, but soon realises that all is not as it seems. There is something evil at play in this quiet suburb, and this junior detective's questions seem only to scratch the surface.Twenty years later, a horrific fire brings Detective Chief Superintendent Mangan back to that same island. Soon, she discovers that murder was just a drop in these dark waters.The river runs deep, and the tide is rising at last. Will the truth rise with it?Praise for Alan Johnson's novels:'A punchy thriller' Irish Independent'A fast-paced who-done-what' SAGA Magazine'Featuring espionage, the Russian Mafia and a gorgeous female on a train with a deadly secret, the tantalising plot has set Alan up for dominance of the bestseller charts for years to come' Fiona Phillips'Is there no limit to his talents? . . . I absolutely loved Alan's new thriller, it's brilliant' Hunter Davies'Johnson's writing style is easy, relaxed, self-deprecating . . . impressive' Observer'Johnson writes wonderfully' Telegraph'This boy can write . . .' The Spectator

'Richard Osman, here's a bullet with your name on it' TimesA government minister has vanished into thin air.The local police in the isolated island of Crete have no leads, save for a mobile phone discarded on a cliff edge.Assistant Commissioner Louise Mangan of the Met Police is sent to assist in the investigation but soon discovers that there is more to this case than the local police realise. Lady Bellingham is less than forthcoming, and the family nanny has a secret she will do anything to keep hidden.With a scandal brewing back in London, can Louise find the missing minister before his reputation is destroyed for good, or will she discover something much more sinister at play?More praise for Alan Johnson's novels:'A punchy thriller' Irish Independent'More layers than a filo pastry' The Sun'A fast-paced who-done-what' SAGA Magazine'Featuring espionage, the Russian Mafia and a gorgeous female on a train with a deadly secret, the tantalising plot has set Alan up for dominance of the bestseller charts for years to come' Fiona Phillips'Is there no limit to his talents? . . . I absolutely loved Alan's new thriller, it's brilliant.' Hunter Davies'Johnson's writing style is easy, relaxed, self-deprecating . . . impressive' Observer'Johnson writes wonderfully' Telegraph'This boy can write . . .' The Spectator

As they seek to explore evolving and conflicting ideas of nationhood and modernity, India’s writers have often chosen forests as the dramatic setting for stories of national identity. India’s Forests, Real and Imagined explores how these settings have been integral to India's sense of national consciousness. Alan Johnson demonstrates that modern writers have drawn on older Indian literary traditions of the forest as a place of exile, trial and danger to shape new ideas of India as a modern nation. The book casts new light on a wide range of modern writers, from Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay – widely regarded as the first Indian novelist – to contemporary authors such as Amitav Ghosh, Arundhati Roy, and Salman Rushdie as well as local attitudes to nationhood and the environment across the country.

'A fast-paced who-done-what' SAGA MagazineA government minister has vanished into thin air. The local police in the isolated island of Crete have no leads, save for a mobile phone discarded on a cliff edge. Assistant Commissioner Louise Mangan of the Met Police is sent to assist in the investigation but soon discovers that there is more to this case than the local police realise. Lady Bellingham is less than forthcoming, and the family nanny has a secret she will do anything to keep hidden. With a scandal brewing back in London, can Louise find the missing minister before his reputation is destroyed for good, or will she discover something much more sinister at play?More praise for Alan Johnson's novels:'A punchy thriller' Irish Independent'More layers than a filo pastry' The Sun'A fast-paced who-done-what' SAGA Magazine'Featuring espionage, the Russian Mafia and a gorgeous female on a train with a deadly secret, the tantalising plot has set Alan up for dominance of the bestseller charts for years to come' Fiona Phillips'Is there no limit to his talents? . . . I absolutely loved Alan's new thriller, it's brilliant.' Hunter Davies'Johnson's writing style is easy, relaxed, self-deprecating . . . impressive' Observer'Johnson writes wonderfully' Telegraph'This boy can write . . .' The Spectator

A woman hiding a deadly secret. And the man who went in search of adventure, but found himself in danger ...'The Girl on the Train with a dash of Russian poisoning and a classic femme fatale' Sunday Telegragh'A fast-moving plot ... expertly told.' Alastair Campbell'A cracking crime thriller.' The Sun'Really gripping, so many twists and turns' ? ? ? ? ? READER REVIEW'I couldn't put this book down.' ? ? ? ? ? READER REVIEW'Action from start to finish' ? ? ? ? ? READER REVIEWGary Nelson has a routine for the commute to his rather dull job in the city. Each day, he watches as a woman on the train applies her make up in a ritual he now knows by heart. He's never dared to strike up a conversation . . . but maybe one day.Then one evening, on the late train to Gipsy Hill, the woman invites him to take the empty seat beside her. Fiddling with her mascara, she holds up her mirror and Gary reads the words 'HELP ME' scrawled in sticky black letters on the glass.From that moment, Gary's life is turned on its head. He finds himself on the run from the Russian mafia, the FSB and even the Metropolitan Police - all because of what this mysterious young woman may have witnessed. In the race to find out the truth, Gary discovers that there is a lot more to her than meets the eye . . .Readers love Alan Johnson and The Late Train to Gipsy HIll'A fast-moving plot ... expertly told. The fact it comes from the pen of a former Home Secretary makes the rich security detail all the more powerful' Alastair Campbell'Espionage, the Russian Mafia and a gorgeous female on a train with a deadly secret' Fiona Phillips'Johnson's writing style is easy, relaxed, self-deprecating . . . impressive' Observer'Johnson writes wonderfully' Telegraph'This boy can write . . .' The Spectator

In this updated edition of the definitive pinstripe how-to, acclaimed veteran striper Alan Johnson shows you how to get started, further your mastery of the form, and create solid designs. Even before the heyday of Von Dutch and Ed “Big Daddy” Roth, the ultimate way to personalize your car or motorcycle was to lay some wicked lines on top of the paintwork. Done with a steady hand and an eye for style, pinstripes speak volumes. In How to Pinstripe, Alan shows you everything you need to know about tools and materials, getting started, practicing and mastering the form, and understanding how a good design comes together. Following a primer on the history and evolution of pinstriping, How to Pinstripe launches into a step-by-step guide to the pinstriping process. While stressing the importance of finding your own style and having fun with the hobby, Johnson covers: Choosing paint and brushes that suit your style and abilitiesPreparing surfacesThe basics of color theoryExperimenting with symmetrical and asymmetrical designsStriping freehandUsing grids and patternsUnique considerations for antique and collector cars, hot rods and customs, and motorcycles And now, updated material includes primers on the pinstripe-associated gearhead art forms of lettering and gold leaf, making How to Pinstripe a comprehensive resource. For more advanced pinstripers, there’s also tried-and-true advice on apprenticing and working car shows. Illustrated with color photography throughout, How to Pinstripe is the perfect source for beginners and veterans alike.

A woman hiding a deadly secret. And the man who went in search of adventure, but found himself in danger ...'The Girl on the Train with a dash of Russian poisoning and a classic femme fatale' Sunday Telegragh'A fast-moving plot ... expertly told.' Alastair Campbell'A cracking crime thriller.' The Sun'Really gripping, so many twists and turns' ? ? ? ? ? READER REVIEW'I couldn't put this book down.' ? ? ? ? ? READER REVIEW'Action from start to finish' ? ? ? ? ? READER REVIEWGary Nelson has a routine for the commute to his rather dull job in the city. Each day, he watches as a woman on the train applies her make up in a ritual he now knows by heart. He's never dared to strike up a conversation . . . but maybe one day. Then one evening, on the late train to Gipsy Hill, the woman invites him to take the empty seat beside her. Fiddling with her mascara, she holds up her mirror and Gary reads the words 'HELP ME' scrawled in sticky black letters on the glass. From that moment, Gary's life is turned on its head. He finds himself on the run from the Russian mafia, the FSB and even the Metropolitan Police - all because of what this mysterious young woman may have witnessed. In the race to find out the truth, Gary discovers that there is a lot more to her than meets the eye . . .Readers love Alan Johnson and The Late Train to Gipsy HIll'A fast-moving plot ... expertly told. The fact it comes from the pen of a former Home Secretary makes the rich security detail all the more powerful' Alastair Campbell'Espionage, the Russian Mafia and a gorgeous female on a train with a deadly secret' Fiona Phillips'Johnson's writing style is easy, relaxed, self-deprecating . . . impressive' Observer'Johnson writes wonderfully' Telegraph'This boy can write . . .' The Spectator

This book will cause you to pay attention to yourself. Get ready people Don't blame others, don't blame the devil, don't blame God but take a good look at yourself. Why haven't things changed in your life?.... READ THE BOOK

From being transported by the sound of 'True Love' by Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly on the radio, as a small child living in condemned housing in ungentrified West London in the late 1950s, to going out to work as a postman humming 'Watching the Detectives' by Elvis Costello in 1977, Alan Johnson's life has always had a musical soundtrack.

Notting Hill has inspired a large number of books and has often made national news – though not always for the right reasons. It has forever been an area of contrast between rich and poor, and has undergone almost constant change since it was developed from farmland in the mid-nineteenth century to today’s urban landscape. Roger Rogowski’s book records the memories of people who lived in working-class Notting Hill in their own words, before the substantial changes of the 1960s, including the mass demolition of slums, the construction of the Westway, the growth of the Notting Hill Carnival and the area’s enthusiastic embrace of the swinging sixties. The Other Side of Notting Hill delves into everyday urban, working-class life as it was, which in many respects is almost unrecognisable today, and how people began to be affected by the changes taking place around them.

Winner of the Parliamentary Book Award, best memoir by a Parliamentarian, 2016From the condemned slums of Southam Street in West London to the corridors of power in Westminster, Alan Johnsonâ??s multi-award-winning autobiography charts an extraordinary journey, almost unimaginable in todayâ??s Britain.

In September 1960, the central London district of St Pancras was convulsed by rioting. What had begun months before as a peaceful protest about the lack of decent housing spiralled into some of the worst street-fighting ever seen in the capital. The violence shook the nation. All Metropolitan police leave was cancelled, MPs demanded an emergency debate in the House of Commons and a horrified Home Secretary used draconian measures to quell the unrest. The popular image of post-war Britain is one of peace and prosperity, but the disturbances in St Pancras reveal a very different history. This book explains the full story behind the riots as one ordinary community in the metropolis struggled to recover from the devastation of the Blitz and the Second World War. The events were driven by a cast of colourful characters drawn from a remarkable generation forged by war, poverty and the relentless ambition to build a more just society. Radical London in the 1950s demonstrates how many of the issues at the centre of the storm, such as inequality, turmoil in the Labour Party, migration and affordable housing, remain at the centre of our political debates today.

Please, Mister Postman is another astonishing book from the award-winning author of This Boy.Beautifully written and vividely observed"In July 1969, while the Rolling Stones played a free concert in Hyde Park, Alan Johnson and his young family left West London to start a new life. The Britwell Estate in Slough, apparently notorious among the locals, in fact came as a blessed relief after the tensions of Notting Hill, and the local community welcomed them with open arms. Alan had become a postman the previous year, and in order to support his growing family took on every bit of overtime he could, often working twelve-hour shifts six days a week. It was hard work, but not without its compensations - the crafty fag snatched in a country lane, the farmer's wife offering a hearty breakfast and even the mysterious lady on Glebe Road who appeared daily, topless, at her window as the postman passed by...Please, Mister Postman paints a vivid picture of England in the 1970s, where no celebration was complete without a Party Seven of Watney's Red Barrel, smoking was the norm rather than the exception, and Sunday lunchtime was about beer, bingo and cribbage. But as Alan's life appears to be settling down and his career in the Union of Postal Workers begins to take off, his close-knit family is struck once again by tragedy...Moving, hilarious and unforgettable,

Alan Johnson's childhood was not so much difficult as unusual, particularly for a man who was destined to become Home Secretary. This book tells the story of two incredible women: Alan's mother, Lily, who battled against poor health, poverty, domestic violence and loneliness to try to ensure a better life for her children; and his sister, Linda.