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The last diaries: in and out of the wilderness: 3

The last diaries: in and out of the wilderness: 3

by Alan Clark (Author), Alan Clark (Author)

  • Used

    Hardcover 2002

    $4.50
Synopsis

Alan Clark's acclaimed Diaries end a month before his death in 1999. After the first volume (30 weeks on the SUNDAY TIMES bestseller list), THE TIMES wrote: 'The best diarists, from Pepys and Boswell, to 'Chips' Channon and Harold Nicolson, have been the souls of indiscretion. But none so indiscreet as Mr Clark. For its Pooterish self-assessment, for Mr Toad's enthusiasm for new things, for Byron's caddishness, for its deadly candour, it is one of the great works in the genre.' This third volume begins in 1991 with Alan Clark contemplating quitting as MP. Life at Saltwood Castle, his home in Kent, hangs heavy; then comes the Scott inquiry and the Matrix Churchill affair, the publishing of the first volume of the Diaries, which leads 'the coven', a family of former girlfriends, to sell their story to the NEWS OF THE WORLD. The diaries follow his ongoing efforts to return to Westminster. As ever there is much, much more: his long-suffering wife Jane, his family, an affair that threatens his marriage, and, not least, the country life.This volume closes with the tragedy of his final months when he is diagnosed with a brain tumour, but he keeps his diary until he can no longer focus on the page.

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More Information

Format: Hardcover
 Pages: 406
 Edition: 1
 Publisher: Orion
Published: 10 Oct 2002
ISBN 10: 0297607146
ISBN 13: 9780297607144
Book Overview: DIARIES: IN POWER and DIARIES: INTO POLITICS both Sunday Times bestsellers; both broadsheet serials; both TV and documentaries with Book of the Week readings on BBC Radio 4. 'The most compelling account of modern politics I have ever read' - Robert Harris; 'The most brilliant political book I have read in years' - Simon Heffer; '... malicious, lecherous and self-pitying, and enormous fun' - Julian Critchley; 'Pure joy' - Lynn Barber

Media Reviews
The serial ran in the TIMES from 5 October to 9 October and was excellent. They also ran a huge and very good interview with Jane Clark in the Weekend Section on 5 October. C4 NEWS did an excellent interview with Jane down at Saltwood which ran for 6 minutes on 9 October - a fantastic piece of publicity. Michael Portillo reviewed the book on FRONT ROW (BBC Radio 4) on 11 October, an interview with Nigel Farndale ran in the SUNDAY TELELGRAPH on 13 October and an interview with Alan's eldest son James ran in the DAILY MAIL on Monday 14 October. Jane did a brilliant interview on WOMAN'S HOUR (BBC Radio 4) on 15October and was interviewed for BREAKFAST WITH FROST(BBC 1) on Sunday 20 October. The agent also sold second serial to THE MIRROR which ran on 19 Octoberand then another extract ran in the SCOTSMAN too The diary stories have beenplentiful with ones in THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, INDPENDENT ON SUNDAY, THE HERALDand EVENING STANDARD so far and the reviews will kick off this weekend. There was also a big piece in the GUARDIAN on 18 October on diaries, which mentioned THE LAST DIARIES and mentions by Simon Hoggart in his GUARIAN column, Bill Deedes in his TELELGRAPH colum and Nigel Farndale in his SUNDAY TELEGRAPH column Reviews have been excellent : 'This is simply the best book I have readsince - well, since the last Clark oeuvre.'Steven Norris, THE TIMES 'More than anything else, in the end THE LAST DIARIES is a love story. And like it's theme it will endure'Graham Stewart, THE SPECTATOR Alan Clark was not a good man, but he was a dazzling diarist. He writes self-pityingly: 'I suppose I will be remembered for the Diaries.' He will, and for this one most of all. A grand love story eclipses a political career.'Sarah Sands, THE DAILY TELELGRAPH Ion is doing the following radio interviews - BBC RADIO LEEDS, BBC RADIO KEN
Author Bio
Alan Clark, Tory MP for Sutton (Plymouth) 1974-92; for Kensington & Chelsea, 1997-99. Minister in Thatcher and Major governments, 1983-92. Historian (debut with THE DONKEYS). Married with two sons; lived at Saltwood Castle, Kent. Ion Trewin, the editor, is a former literary editor of The Times. He is now editor in chief of a leading London publisher. He edited Alan Clark's DIARIES: INTO POLITICS Ion Trewin is a London publisher. Originally a journalist, he was Literary Editor of The Times 1972-79. He was Alan Clark's publisher from 1992 until his death, and has since edited two further volumes of Alan Clark's diaries. Married with a son and daughter, he has since 2006 been administrator of the Man Booker prizes. He was chairman of the Cheltenham Literature Festival 1996-2007.