CAT AMONGST THE PIGEONS: A Memoir - Cath Tizard

Another memoir by a left leaning politician. Cath was married to Labour M.P and Minister, Bob Tizard, they separated in 1980. She went on to become mayor of Auckland and was then appointed Governor General.

This a good entertaining read, not brilliant writing but informative.

She was such a hard worker, really amazing, firstly being the politician's wife, when they got no government support, raising four kids at the same time, lecturing at Auckland University. Then being on the Auckland City Council.

There are lots of anecdotes about her private and public life and those she met.

For me there are lots of memories as I was working in Auckland during her mayoralty. She is however slightly mistaken regarding the Queen Street riot and how it began. I was one of the 5 police members rostered to work that crowd of several thousands so I had a first hand view. But that's just a slight quibble.

Another complaint is that in the early 80's Helen Clark regularly stayed with her at her home. I just wish that Cath had had the forethought to smother her one night while she lay sleeping. Never mind.

A good read, interesting and enlightening about the office of Governor General and how it operates.

Recommended as a Christmas read. Don't let the cover put you off, but the person who allowed this book to go out with this cover on it should be taken out and shot.

A JOURNEY - Tony Blair

I will never be a Labour voter ever, but I did enjoy this memoir by Tony Blair.

It is just a memoir rather than a full blown autobiography, which is a good thing because the latter can drag when we are taken through every class the subject attended at primary school and what they had for Sunday lunch served up by their dear old mum.

Rather this is written episodically, and as he states in the introduction you can dip into it at any chapter and not miss anything.

We have here 700 pages of Blair's views on everything,Iraq of course, New Labour, Gordon Brown and Northern Ireland and a lot on domestic politics and his personal life.

What is apparent he doesn't like Brown, admires his brain but that's all. I was left wondering why he was so close politically for so long and I concluded that it was all about power, getting it and holding onto it, nothing new then there for a politician.

The chapter on Northern Ireland is very interesting, having to deal with all the nutters involved there ( and they are nutters)was a test on all concerned.

The chapter on Iraq is pretty much a waste of time in that we will never know the truth of what really happened here for about 100 years when papers may be released telling the citizens how decisions were made.

What really sets this apart from other political writing, re-phrase, writing by a politician , is that it is laugh out loud in places, really really funny.

Where Blair has a MP explaining to him how he came to be arrested after being found with a male prostitute, will have you falling off the chair.

And it is very rare to find anyone, let alone a politician being as candid about themselves as Blair is i.e ..my wife, who can be very difficult..., this shows a man who is either very brave or runs his house like we would all like to.

At the end of the book I was still left in the dark as to whether New Labour under Blair actually achieved anything for Britain in the 10 years he was Prime Minister. I don't have to live there but I really don't think he did, certainly nothing earth shattering that he will be remembered around the world for.

I do know that he would have been a brilliant barrister if he had stayed with law, a very quick witted man.

POINT TO POINT NAVIGATION - Gore Vidal

After reading this for the second time, I can justifiable feel a bit miffed- because I think I am the only person on the planet that Gore Vidal has not met.

This is the second volume of memoirs from the 84 year old novelist, essayist and playwright.

It is totally fascinating and even though its name dropper heaven, the names are not dropped just for the sake of it. This is a man who through various marriages of his mother and other relations was born into the upper echelons of American politics.

He then, through his writing and film work met and associated with the biggest names in politics and entertainment in the 20th century.

He's stays with Princess Margaret and tells a couple of very funny anecdotes about her. There are numerous tales of the rich and famous and his interaction with them.

Running parallel to the public Vidal are very personal writings regarding his private life - his partner of 50 years, and his relationship with his parents.

He simply has met everyone, and even though I have been told a million times not to exaggerate myself, I am not in this case.

What was of particular interest was that although very liberal in his political thinking he never made a point of bringing his sexuality into it. He is homosexual but according to him, whether gay or straight this is the private business of the individual and not for public consumption.

I just hope that this man has kept a diary over the course of his wonderful life, if he has it will equal at the very least James Lees-Milne, another who managed to bump into a few people along the way.