Great insight to a great man

What a great listern and although Michael Jayston did a great job I didnt half miss the Benn lisp

This listen certainly gives you pause when dealing with an older person as I believe i have been guilty of discounting them where Tony has stamp that assumption into the ground.

Thanks Mr Benn

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3 people found this helpful

A Blaze of Glory

If you could sum up A Blaze of Autumn Sunshine in three words, what would they be?

Humane, Inspirational, Sad.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Blaze of Autumn Sunshine?

Too many to choose.

What about Michael Jayston’s performance did you like?

Sounded so much like Tony Benn. Captured his tone and sincerity.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No wanted to savour it.

Any additional comments?

Wonderful diary which demonstrates the integrity, compassion and warmth of a genuine politician. A contradiction I know!

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Sincere and from the heart.

What made the experience of listening to A Blaze of Autumn Sunshine the most enjoyable?

Excellent narration.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Benn's scathing view of Blair is entertaining.

Which character – as performed by Michael Jayston – was your favourite?

He reads the part well, narrating in Benn's 'voice'.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

His insight into his own frailty is emotive.

Any additional comments?

Tony Benn has always seemed enigmatic. A somewhat unfathomable but nevertheless charismatic man, full of contradiction. A socialist with strong Marxist leanings, but one born to title and privilege. I've lived through his most influential times. He's one of a very singular few politicians who retained both their personal and political integrity. Even before it became fashionable to do so, Benn had seen through and denounced the sham Socialism presented by Blair.

I haven't read his earlier diaries and I took this book as an audible download shortly before he died. With that poignancy aside, this record and his reflections are so incredibly relevant at a number of levels. Politically, he was something of a seer and a maverick. One who saw through sham, was beguiled by prospect of influence and remained true to his roots of socialism.

As an individual, his fears and fragility come across so well. As a man, he's unafraid to express both his love and loss. That's exceptional. He explores the process of getting older with candour and humour. Unexpectedly, this book kept me awake until long past the wee hours over the last few nights. His insight, information and views have made me think about the loss of an apolitical diarist, a husband, father and grandfather. He comes across as an honest raconteur, a dedicated politician regardless of his political persuasion, a gifted individual who could view any situation with insight and compassion. But most of all, a man who loved his wife and family above everything. A moving and remarkable legacy.

Michael Jayston's reading in this audible version is, in my view, outstanding. He captures nuance and inflection to perfection.

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4 people found this helpful

Dry subjects at times but absolutely infectious

A real want to listen to performance, the sort of book that lends itself to Audible as you can drop in and out, there's no storyline to follow as such. A perfect reminder from the inside of recent politics. I know I'll go back to it again.

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Who will guide our children now?

Immensely listen-able. Hard to listen to the final diary and of a man I have admired for so long.
Tony Benn's humour.and honesty, as well as insight offer an intelligent opinion and viewpoint of the political world and of global events.
We have lost many of our great statepersons and thinkers in recent years(such as Benn and Mandela). Whom do we have left to inspire our young?

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Great listen, Tony Benn keeps busy.

What did you like most about A Blaze of Autumn Sunshine?

Having been worried that Tony not narrating his own words for the first time would be a problem I was very pleased to find that Michael Jayston was a perfect casting to put over his authentic voice.
It was good to hear how busy he was keeping during this period and as with other volumes of his diaries it is interesting to hear his perspective of times I remember well. In some ways this help create a greater understanding of his perspective in the diaries of times before my knowledge.

What did you like best about this story?

Hearing his excitement at still being able to occasionally find a role in significant events was great. Also hearing his joy at the comings and goings of his family was pleasing.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The account of his Elders' trip to Africa was very interesting.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A Blaze of Autumn Sunshine

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Honest and powerful.

What did you like most about A Blaze of Autumn Sunshine?

I liked the honesty of Tony Benn, and his reflections on life.

What did you like best about this story?

It showed an honest account of one mans descent into old age.

Who might you have cast as narrator instead of Michael Jayston?

Tony Benn.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, if I had had all the time.

Any additional comments?

I hope there is more.

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Utterly boring, other tsome interesting highlights

Mostly banal day-to-day accounts of getting up, going to bed, endless meetings and constant announcements of his state of tiredness. A few insights into politics, but otherwise, dreariness. I would have given it one star, but kept reverting to two stars!

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Lightweight entries from a heavyweight diarist

What did you like best about A Blaze of Autumn Sunshine? What did you like least?

The unintentionally funny bits, largely revolving around how much the author likes somebody based on how much the person listens to and agrees with him. Eg: "I like X she really listens to me" and "X is a good guy, he agreed with everything I had to say".

If you’ve listened to books by Tony Benn before, how does this one compare?

No.

Have you listened to any of Michael Jayston’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No, but I must say he does a very good "Benn" voice.

Could you see A Blaze of Autumn Sunshine being made into a movie or a TV series? Who would the stars be?

Yes. I think the only person allowed to play him would be Michael Sheen.

Any additional comments?

I always worry about people who are right about everything. Benn describes these kind of people as "sign posts" as opposed to "weather vanes" as if it were desirable to be so stubborn, undiplomatic, unempathetic and unpragmatic. However, the author's subconscious is less certain: "I dreamed last night that I was wrong about everything." Benn is a successful diarist but was an unsuccessful politician. He never had enough power, and unfortunately that is what politics is all about. There's no point knowing it all if not enough people believe you. It's all a shame really because I'm roughly on the same side of the political devide as him...

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