A Sparrow's Flight: The Memoirs of Lord Hailsham of St Marylebone

by Quintin Hogg

Physical description; 463p : ill. Subject; Hailsham of St. Marylebone, Quintin Hogg Baron 1907-2001.

Genres: History, Memoir, British Literature, Biography

464 pages, Paperback

First published July 2, 1990

About the author

Quintin McGarel Hogg, second Viscount Hailsham and Baron Hailsham of St Marylebone was a British Conservative politician.

Reviews

[Phillip · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is going to sound a bit lame on my part, after reading a book from an experienced statesman in UK politics but ... these memoirs were largely disappointing.

Let's start with the good: This book was interesting to get a "pre-WWII" perspective of serving in the UK Parliament and living in those times. Considering he was elected before the war (and continued to technically serve in that office the whole war and after), it's quite interesting.

The majority of the book, I have to admit, is his telling of his war experiences. And as someone who was also in combat (different war, different time) ... I think he really could have condensed it. I'm sure it was all very important to him - and there are amusing and harrowing tales - but, for the reader, it goes on way to long. Even in a combat theatre, if there's no actual combat (which is the majority of it), then there's little to tell. It really is almost 50 percent of the book.

When eventually WWII ends, we get his time back in the Commons until his entry into the Lords. This is the most interesting section of the book, in my opinion. His time in Government, both under Eden and Macmillan, provide an eye in UK political history. I think his experience as a minister (and party chair) provide some memorable examples, but the "drama" of the Macmillan resignation is probably the "juiciest" part of the book.

The reason I got this book in the first place was because of his reputation as Lord Chancellor and his constitutional views. He spends the latter half (more like the last 1/8ths, but whatever...) of the book on this time of his life. But, this is where I was disappointed. I don't think he "tells it" well. A reader will get a sense of his experiences in this position under successive Governments, but I still didn't leave with an understanding of what it was like to be Lord Chancellor. Maybe that's my fault as a reader, but I think there's also some blame with the author.

All in all, it's a long read that you might have to skim at some parts. Again, I have no doubt all this content was meaningful for him, but there are times when the reader will get bored.

[Peter Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was young and a Labour supporter,I thought Lord Hailsham was a typical out of touch Tory,famous for saying anyone voting Labour was “bonkers”.With age and experience I have revised my opinion.This book shows him to have been privileged with MC wealth,education and position but he has worked hard and sincerely for his family and his country and for that I respect him.This is an entertaining read of a life well lived but probably only for future historians and enthusiasts of recent British history.He seems a thoughtful,sincere and likeable man who achieved much.According to this account he was told by Macmillan that he would recommend him to replace him as PM but it never happened ;such are the mysterious ways that politics work.

[Caryatid · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. Much too wordy. Perhaps it's my failing but I can read a sentence over and over and still not understand the gist.
Typical of his era, another of those elite people without contact or understanding of the masses. An era where religion and divine right to rule, in the guise of 'serving my country'. Peculiar phrase that, much used by politicians even these days.
I would have to say I'd not have enjoyed this mans exalted company...