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Whatever Next?: Reminiscences of a journey through life
Author(s): Earl Ferrers (Author)
- Publisher: Biteback Publishing
- Publication Date: 17 May 2012
- Edition: First Edition
- Language: English
- Print length: 368 pages
- ISBN-10: 1849540918
- ISBN-13: 9781849540919
Book Description
To say this is not a political autobiography would be an understatement. In fact, the author reckons it is not an autobiography at all. This book is more Downton Abbey than 10 Downing Street. It traces Earl Ferrers aristocratic upbringing in the 1930s in the stately surroundings of Staunton Harold through his wartime childhood, national service in the jungle of Malaya, Cambridge in the 1950s and finally his life immersed in the political world. Robert Shirley was a government minister in every Conservative Government from Macmillan to Major and he has some hilarious tales to tell. Robert Shirley is the thirteenth Earl Ferrers and he writes amusingly and movingly about his twelve predecessors, one of whom committed suicide after he shot his manservant. His at times hilarious accounts of his careers in farming, business and politics have the reader crying tears of both joy and sadness as he relates the bizarre events in his political life, and some of his family tragedies. When his fellow members of the House of Lords voted which 92 hereditary peers to keep, Earl Ferrers topped the vote. Reading this book, it is easy to see why. Always enjoying a sense of the ridiculous, and with the ability to write with humour and charm, he is without question the most popular member of the current House of Lords. This book shows why. It contains dozens of reminiscences from a life well led. It s seeringly honest, painfully blunt, but at all times retains the author s supreme sense of charm and elegance.
Editorial Reviews
Review
“Robin Ferrers is one of the most engaging and
loved Parliamentarians of recent decades. He is
a national treasure, and his memoires are
proof-positive that there is humanity in politics”. –Sir John Major
loved Parliamentarians of recent decades. He is
a national treasure, and his memoires are
proof-positive that there is humanity in politics”. –Sir John Major
“I first saw Lord Ferrers when I was a boy. He was occupying the Government Frontbench in the House of Lords under Harold Macmillan’s premiership. He served in senior positions in an unprecedented number of posts in Conservative Governments until 1997. He became one of my most valued colleagues and was held in universal affection by Their Lordships who always appreciate competence, sensitivity, humour and modesty. In my experience, Robin Ferrers combines all these qualities to a unique degree. His book reflects not only his experience as a Minister and as a Parliamentarian, but also the qualities for which all his friends hold him in the greatest affection.”
–Lord Salisbury
About the Author
Robert Washington Shirley, 13th Earl Ferrers served in five British governments under Prime Minsters from Harold MacMillan to John Major. In 1999 he one of the 92 elected hereditary peers to remain in the House of Lords pending completion of House of Lords reform.
