Mark Steel is a well known left wing comedian in the UK. He appears on BBC Radio 4 (his lecture series is excellent) and is well known on the 'alternative' comedy circuit.This book is a memoir of what its like growing up in the UK and reaching a politically aware age as a socialist when the whole country appears to turn its back on socialist ideals and to embrace Thatcherite monetarism.Leaving school Mark works his way through a series of dead end jobs where he fails miserably to hold his tongue when people glibly comment on politics. He lives in a squat and various council flats while living through a rapidly changing world.As an insider account of the various events which shaped the left wing it is by turns funny, touching and infuriating. The ability of the left to writhe and beat itself senseless rather than take on the right wing is the source for much of the humour. The tragic events that occured on some of the demos (such as the killing of Blair Peach) form the sad moments, and the rise of New Labour is the source of the fury.A great book. I read the second half pretty much in one day as I travelled from Cambridge to Shrewsbury and back. A good way to pass the time... ( )

Steel's account of his life pivots on his political and social education. He paints a hugely comic picture of the political atmosphere of the 1970s and '80s peppered with hilarious anecdotes and bigger than life characters. I first read this as a newly-politicised teenager and it was my first real glimpse into the life of Britain's socialist contingent. I was laughing out loud from the very first page. If nothing else, Steel has been instrumental in my decision not to take my politics too seriously. ( )