Advantages: It will open your eyes
Disadvantages: I found no disadvantage to reading this book.
The trouble with George Galloway is that he is a brilliant politician!
However...
Yes there is always a 'however' or a 'but' when it comes to discussing politicians and politics...
However, I don't feel his politics sit comfortably with many citizens of the U.K.
He seems to me to be a politician with too many agendas.
I don't entirely involve myself with politics anyway, so can't really make any big commentary, but Mr Galloway to me 'seems' to be striving for a fair world for everyone - not just a 'fair' U.K.
I listen to his radio show which is aired on Friday and Saturday nights. It is also available to 'Listen Again' from his website.
Now from listening to his radio show I have learned that he sticks up for the underdog - understandable, he is a Scottish Catholic of Irish descent, so as you can imagine, he has been at the wrong end of bigotry and sectarianism. Not just within Scotland, where it might be regarded as an 'acceptable' given, because at least Scottish people 'understand' the significances, but he has also experienced this in other places.
His notions of fairness probably stretch too far though in a Britain that is experiencing an awareness of other cultures and religions outwith the apparently prevalent white anglo saxon protestant milieu of the U.K.
It would seem, listening to some other debates and reading most of today's British papers, that the U.K is not the place for you if you are not a W.A.S.P.
George Galloway's sense of fairness and brilliance as a politician, immediately negates itself in the eyes of many Brits as soon as he brings up his Blue Eyed Boy, that is, the Middle East, and in particular Palestine.
Install george Galloway as P.M. tomorrow and I think he could do much for the U.K. His problem though is for many in the U.K., perhaps through narrow mindedness, perhaps through ignorance, or perhaps through well argued convictions, is that many in the U.K currently either disagree with his views on, and 'love' of the Middle East, or, think as a U.K. M.P., he should be devoting more time to U.K. issues.
This only hammers home the fact that Britain is an island!
As much as I like Mr Galloway's views, I too am one of those who leans towards feeling that British politicians should spend a little more energy on British issues.
After reading this book, I am not saying my opinion reagrding this has changed, but I now have a much better understanding of why George Galloway thinks and acts the way he does. I have a greater understanding of the world view - we can't avoid surrounding ourselves with the Channel, The North Sea and the Atlantic and hoping the world leaves us alone, now that the glorious empire has crumbled.
What you will get in this book is an attack on the labour party, or to be more precise, New Labour. Mr Galloway's journey into politics and how he became involved with the Middle East. His relationship with the United States. The Mariam appeal. His relationship with Saddam. R.E.S.P.E.C.T.. If you buy a newer copy, you will get an additional chpater "Mr Galloway Goes to Washington" which includes transcripts from the Testimony before the US Senate.
This book will open your eyes! We are of course relying on the author speaking the truth. we do also need to remember he is a politician.
This is a must read book, no matter where you reside on the political continuum.
Summary: A cohesive, well thought out and easy to read presentation of this man's worldview.
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