John A. Lee (1) (1891–1982)

This memoir, by John Alexander Lee - better known simply as John A Lee - is a fascinating insight into the early days of a true outsider, who yet managed to be a part of the political scene in New Zealand for over half a century.

A self promoter and constant critic of the status quo, who defined himself by his dissent within his own political party - the New Zealand Labour Party (for those interested in current British politics he was somewhat akin to Ken Livingston), and who eventually left it to form a splinter party, Lee lived past 90, thus transcending several eras of politics.

He was also a first world war hero (he lost an arm in that war), who was a juvenile delinquent from a broken home, and, reputedly (source: John A Lee) of romany blood.

This book is about Lee's escape from a borstal in early 20th century New Zealand, and is written in a raw, matter of fact style.

I have never read anything like it.… (mehr)