One Boy, Two Bills and a Fry Up: A Memoir of Growing Up and Getting On
£10.40
The Sunday Times bestseller
***
‘[A] compelling story of overcoming adversity… Unexpectedly fascinating… amazingly inspiriting…’ — The Observer
‘…the vitality of the book lies in its directness and conversational candour… An engaging memoir’ — The Sunday Times
‘Extraordinary’ — Evening Standard
‘Funny, honest and at times heart-breaking – a terrific read.’ — Lorraine Kelly
‘For a politician to have such an extraordinary story to tell is rare. For that politician to be able to tell it with such eloquence and benevolence is rarer still. This book is a triumph.’ — Alan Johnson
‘This riveting tale of social aspiration leads us from the East End to Westminster in detailed honesty.’ — Ian McKellen
‘A moving and inspiring hymn to the ups and downs of life – to love, to adversity and above all courage.’ —Michael Cashman
‘Compulsive reading: Wes’s story is inspiring, surprising and full of compassion.’ — Jess Phillips
‘A remarkable and enchanting book.’ — The House
‘One of the most extraordinary memoirs that I have read.’ — Lewis Goodall, The News Agents
‘Searingly honest… a really inspirational book.’ — Iain Dale
Wes Streeting might have ended up in prison rather than in parliament. His maternal grandfather Bill, an unsuccessful armed robber, spent time behind bars, as did his grandmother, who was also a political campaigner.
Brought up on a Stepney council estate, the young Streeting saw his teenage parents struggle to provide for him. In One Boy, Two Bills & A Fry Up he brings to life the poverty, humiliation and incredible struggle for them choosing whether to feed the meter and heat the flat, put carpet on the floor, or food on the table.
Wes Streeting knows it was the help and inspiration he received from the great characters that surrounded him, especially his paternal grandfather (also called Bill), that ultimately set him on the way to Cambridge and then Parliament. He knew he could draw on the strengths in childhood to eventually come out, and to go on and face his now successful struggle with kidney cancer.
This honest, uplifting, affectionate memoir is a tribute to the love and support which set him on his way out of poverty, and informs everything about Wes Streeting’s mission now in politics.
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by Majen
Plenty of detail about those involved in his upbringing, and the socially deprived areas of London in which Wes Streeting grew up . Its a lightweight read . Theres a nagging feeling that it should be more inspirational given the many hurdles he jumped to achieve his goals in life. In the media he comes across as likeable and politically passionate, this goes a little way to explain why.
by Jennysg
I started reading this book as soon as it went live on Kindle. Wes hides nothing. His openness and honesty have great charm and , as you would expect from a Cambridge graduate, he writes with clarity and integrity. No spoilers from me. Just read it. It’s really a cracking good memoir.
I’ve come back to this because Wes’s memoir stays in my mind after reading several other books. I think of his mum, (I’d really love to meet her) and how she was determined to give him the best she possibly could despite aching poverty. She got him books and read to him. What a clever woman. I think of his dad who followed his dad in doing the right thing whatever. All these things gave Wes the strength to keep going against the odds. It took strength to return to his job in the opposition such a short time after major cancer surgery. To all that family I salute you. You must be rightly very proud of what that boy has done and will do I’m sure.
by Amazon Customer
This was a compelling and beautifully told story of a tough childhood. However the passion and power of what drives us to become involved in politics from a Labour perspective is sorely lacking.
by Ness
Wes story shows how family love can have that positive effect. Wish there were more Grandad Streetings in the world. A very inspiring life where love and resilience shines from Wes. I listened to Wes on the radio where he was talking a bit about his biography, which is what made me download it. Wow what an open and honest biography it is, very relatable to working class folk. Loved this book. I feel a little more inclined to listen and take note regarding politics too. Thank you Wes
by Bucephalus
Interested in both politics and current affairs but found a lot more about Wes Streeting’s background growing up in the East End and the cast of characters that shaped his life and upbringing.
Reminded me very much of Grace Dent’s memoir, Hungry, also about outsiders who faced a more complicated route to the top of their trade but whose challenges also made her stronger.
Engaging pacy read ranging from Christine Keeler sharing his grandmother’s prison cell to his grandfather pulling his brother out of the sea during the war. Definitely worth reading for both people interested in politics and those who just like a good read about strong characters.
by Mrs. Lynda M. Forshaw
Excellent arrive well before date given , this book was highly recommended and is a gift of my sister
by jc
Informative without being pedantic, the love that he has fir his amazing family shines through as does his wish to make our country great again
by Grandma
I have enjoyed reading this account of Wes’s life in an apparently dysfunctional family. But he was fortunate because he had the support of his mother and extended family who shared time and love as he required. I was a Health Visitor at this time in East London with mixed population and recognised the difficulties experienced by so many families especially with poverty and housing instability. Wes so benefitted from having Mrs Dodd his head teacher as his mentor, encouraging him to aim high. We are now fortunate having an MP and member of Shadow Cabinet who has actually experienced poverty and difficulties of life, so he can empathise with the disadvantaged in society and endeavour to find political solutions to mitigate problems..