How I’ve Tried to Change the World
‘Fiery and addictive . . . A national treasure’ GUARDIAN
‘I love this book. Blummin’ marvellous’ LEE MACK
‘This isn’t just a brilliant book. It’s a necessary one’ FRANK COTTRELL BOYCE
Born in working-class Liverpool in 1952 to devoted members of the British Communist Party, Alexei Sayle has spent a lifetime walking down the middle of the street shouting.
This is his memoir of life on the left, covering seven decades of social history told through marches and rallies. From the demonstrations against the Vietnam War in 1968 and the first miners’ strike in 1974, to the demonstration against the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the recent marches in support of Gaza, Sayle traces the enduring struggle for a better, fairer world. He explores left-wing ideas, why they matter and why it’s still worth taking them seriously.
Along the way, his trademark wit is never far behind. We encounter the Other Alexei (a bitter, retired media studies lecturer from Clitheroe Polytechnic), his imaginary daughter Tanita, and learn how a spontaneous rendition of the national anthem prevented a group of anti-nuclear protesters from being beaten up by the police.
Eye-wateringly funny, unexpectedly moving and unashamedly polemical, this is a one-of-a-kind chronicle of defiance and belief.
‘I love this book. Blummin’ marvellous’ LEE MACK
‘This isn’t just a brilliant book. It’s a necessary one’ FRANK COTTRELL BOYCE
Born in working-class Liverpool in 1952 to devoted members of the British Communist Party, Alexei Sayle has spent a lifetime walking down the middle of the street shouting.
This is his memoir of life on the left, covering seven decades of social history told through marches and rallies. From the demonstrations against the Vietnam War in 1968 and the first miners’ strike in 1974, to the demonstration against the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the recent marches in support of Gaza, Sayle traces the enduring struggle for a better, fairer world. He explores left-wing ideas, why they matter and why it’s still worth taking them seriously.
Along the way, his trademark wit is never far behind. We encounter the Other Alexei (a bitter, retired media studies lecturer from Clitheroe Polytechnic), his imaginary daughter Tanita, and learn how a spontaneous rendition of the national anthem prevented a group of anti-nuclear protesters from being beaten up by the police.
Eye-wateringly funny, unexpectedly moving and unashamedly polemical, this is a one-of-a-kind chronicle of defiance and belief.
Reviews
Much more importantly than changing the world, Alexei changed comedy. I've been a huge fan of everything he's done since, and this book is no exception. Blummin' marvellous.
I love Alexei, I love his comedy and I love this book. What more can I say? Marvellous
For years, we have wondered where exactly did Alexei Sayle's outbursts come from. Finally, right here, he reveals the secret to his exploding brain
The reason that Alexei has remained a hero to many of us for so long is all in this book - it is the passion, the fury and the funny. One moment a beautiful absurd image, the next a brilliant evisceration of the greedy and the hypocritical. No one moves as adeptly as him from laugh out loud funny to stomach churning outrage at those who smash up our world and our humanity
More than ever before we need the beautiful fury of Alexei Sayle's voice. This isn't just a brilliant book. It's a necessary one