Porridge and Passion

(Paperback)

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Description

In this sequel to his first volume of autobiography Pride and Perjury, Aitken starts his story as he is taken down from the courtroom and incarcerated at Her Majesty's Pleasure. How this Old Etonian former Cabinet Minister on Mrs Thatcher's inner circle managed to establish new relationships and lasting friendships with fellow prisoners is fascinating - so too is this account of how religious belief transformed his life. Aitken has lost none of his charm, fluency and determination - and he has found an authentic new life which readers of this entertaining new book will be able to judge for themselves.

'A rich collection of humorous tales of prison life... Aitken seems to have found a new vocation of both a funny writer and a serious prison reformer.' Tablet

Reviews

'A rich collection of humorous tales of prison life... Aitken seems to have found a new vocation as both a funny writer and a serious prison reformer.' Tablet
'The story of his spiritual journey of prayer, repentance and commitment to a new life in Christ is told with candour, humour and humility... well written and makes for compelling reading.' Methodist Recorder
"His [Aitken's] moving book shows that, like John Profumo, he has found he can do more good outside the limelight than he could in front of it. His humour and detachment show that his fall from arrogance has left him a far better man than the journalists who sought his blood." Contemporary Review, Spring 2007
"a very refreshing read, and it is a superb testimony to what God can do in a life surrendered to Him" -- Keswick Convention Handbook
MAIL ON SUNDAY 'Aitken's earlier volumes of memoirs, Pride and Perjury, which he completed a few days before entering prison, chronicled his fall from grace. It was more muddled in its intent, veering uneasily between abject penitence and furious self-righteousness. Here in this second volume, his state of mind, and therefore the tone of the book, are both clearer.' * Blurb from reviewer *

Author Bio

Jonathan Aitken is a former MP and cabinet minister. He is now an author, biographer and broadcaster. In 1995, the court found him guilty of perjury in a celebrated case against the Guardian newspaper and he spent 18 months in Belmarsh Prison. He subsequently studied theology at Oxford and in 2019, he was ordained an Anglican priest. He is now a full-time prison chaplain in London. He is the author of an award-winning biography of President Richard Nixon and has written a number of critically acclaimed books for Bloomsbury Continuum including a bestselling life of Margaret Thatcher (2013).