Alastair Campbell (1) (1957–)

When Alastair Campbell was asked to give the annual Thomas Baggs Memorial Lecture on happiness, his family and friends laughed in incredulity as Campbell suffers from depression and is widely known to be rather grumpy and glum. In this book, Campbell outlines what he has discovered about being happy and what the pursuit of the same entails (it's a "long game"). The book is short, but it contains a lot in the way of ponderable thoughts and ideas. It's not (or shouldn't be) surprising that it show more seems as if material wealth is not the way to make people feel content, but rather a close connection with family and friends and a sense of professional achievement. More interesting is that giving (to friends and family or charitable) is one of the most important aspects in creating feelings of happiness. His past in politics also makes Campbell discuss how government could and should concentrate on creating policies that enhance its people's sense of well-being, physical as well as mental. As someone who suffers from mental illness himself (depression), Campbell is very active in raising awareness and working on removing the stigma and discrimination that is commonly associated with mental illnesses. Whatever you think about Campbell's politics, I don't think it's possible not to come away from this read without a high respect for the man and his ideas. show less

(Bought 13 January 2012 – Kindle)

“I hope that by the time I die I will have played a part in ending the stigma and taboo surrounding mental illness”. Alastair Campbell, I think you’ve played that part already, and this book will help you do more to achieve this goal.

I bought this book on a whim, because a friend Tweeted that she’d bought it (internet marketers, take note: it wasn’t even a review. It was a note that she’d bought it). And I’m glad I did. Loosely based on show more Campbell’s Happiness Lecture at Birmingham University (my alma mater and ex-employer, but no, I didn’t manage to get to the lecture), this extended essay is a very honest and personal discussion of what it’s like to be depressed: what it’s actually like, in detail. It’s also a musing on what “happiness” is and whether a depressed person is every truly happy, and a discussion of the things that help Campbell, and might help other people. He’s careful to avoid preaching and telling people what to do, but the concrete examples about how altruism, exercise and the application of his mind to new things help him will surely bring comfort to people who aren’t so used to managing their depression. I’d forgotten he’s a runner, but that made sense – running certainly keeps me sane, and not just because I’ve got a busy lifestyle. And there’s much more to identify with, personally – I’m glad I’m not the only person to sob my way through Olympic or other major sporting events, for a start!

But it’s not all personal stuff: the political features heavily, too – but that shouldn’t put people off, as it’s the author’s main arena, or was for many years, and he has much to say that’s of real and practical interest. I was pleased to find an actual explanation of the Bhutan Gross National Happiness idea rather than the usual glib reference to it – spelled out and explained, it makes a lot of sense with its discussions around sustainability and support. There’s a fair treatment of Cameron’s aim to improve happiness in the UK population, and a notable discussion of the way newspapers have become more and more negative, feeding, to some extent, a culture of miserable envy.

Brave, intelligent, moving – often funny – well-written … the only fault of this book is that it’s not long enough! I’ve already recommended it to someone looking for resources on how to explain their depression.

This should be required reading for anyone who deals with the political, medical and social implications of depression and other mental health issues. Anyone who is or has been depressed (I’ll count myself in that band: this is about honesty, after all). Anyone who has a friend or family member going through depression. Oh: that would be everybody, then. show less

A riveting read, with the dairies from Tony Blair's Director of Communications, which cover the key events and personalities of the post 9-11 Downing Street world . Alistair Campbell's perspective from No.10 and more importantly from the almost constant presence at Tony Blair's side is a most interesting one. Of the many fascinating recollections include those of George W Bush and all the key meetings in build up to the Afghanistan and Iraq invasions post 9-11. It of course covers far more show more than just crude politics, including his own personal struggles with his work, family and the media, and the inquest into the death of Dr. David Kelly. But probably what I will remember most about the book is the description of the constant Blair v Brown clashes; indeed what a waste of personal and political energy. They are recorded in a way which leaves the reader with little doubt about the hatred which seemed to exist between the two.

Campbell writes candidly, and even as someone on the other side of the political fence, I recommend them to all interested in British politics. show less

This book took ten days to read: a long time for me. The reason is simple, my speed reading kept breaking down and I found that I was sucked into the fascinating story of the most significant positive history of my country during my lifetime.
Bevan and the NHS was important but just pre-dates me, Thatcher was crucial but mostly negative and Blair was a breath of fresh air.
Alastair Campbell was the bête noire of the right wing British press but, as so often, comes across as a caring man who show more gave nine years of his, and his family's, life for the good of the country.
This book gave me a great insight into recent British history and is a definite recommendation for anyone with an interest in British politics, or just wants a better idea of how Britain is run.
If it were possible, I would introduce a six star rating for this book! show less