{"title":"Jonny Oates","description":"\u003cp\u003eExplore the captivating world of \u003cem\u003eJonny Oates\u003c\/em\u003e, an acclaimed author celebrated for his insightful contributions to the \u003cstrong\u003eBiography \u0026amp; Memoir\u003c\/strong\u003e genre. Oates's work is characterised by its honesty, depth, and gripping narrative style, captivating readers with personal stories that resonate on a universal level.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAmong his standout works, \u003cstrong\u003eI Never Promised You a Rose Garden\u003c\/strong\u003e offers readers an intimate glimpse into Oates's life journey filled with resilience, triumphs, and the complexities of the human condition. His storytelling delves into themes of political life, personal growth, and the quest for understanding one's place in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor those looking to delve into narratives that are as thought-provoking as they are engaging, Jonny Oates's collection provides a compelling selection to add to your reading list. Discover his masterful blend of personal reflection and broader societal insights today.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"i-never-promised-you-a-rose-garden-by-jonny-oates-9781785907609","title":"I Never Promised You a Rose Garden","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOates takes you on an extraordinary journey from teenage rebellion, through the fight for African rights, to the top ranks of the British government. It's all the more extraordinary because the story is true; his is a life lesson that serendipity and courage can change things for good. - Laura Kuenssberg, BBC political editor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAged fifteen and armed with a credit card stolen from his father, Jonny Oates ran away from home and boarded a plane to Addis Ababa. His plan? To save the Ethiopian people from the devastating 1985 famine. Discovering that the level of demand for unskilled fifteen-year-old English boys was not huge, he learned the hard lesson that sometimes you can't just change the world by pure force of will.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eI Never Promised You a Rose Garden\u003c\/em\u003e traces Oates's adventure as it led him to Zimbabwe where, aged eighteen, he was made deputy head of a rural secondary school - which had yet to be built. It follows him in South Africa during the final year of Mandela's presidency, where he worked with Zulu leader, Mangosuthu Buthelezi, as South Africa sought to shape a future from its bitterly divided past. The story culminates in the roller-coaster-ride of Britain's first post-war coalition government where, as Nick Clegg's Chief of Staff, he had a unique view of events that shaped the future of the country and learned important lessons about the difference between power and duty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnusually for a political figure, Jonny Oates has written about love: how it tormented him and how it healed him. Few in political life are as candid about the underpinning of what drives them. A gripping tale of escape and rescue, this is the story of the making of a liberal soul. - Gary Gibbon, political editor, \u003cem\u003eChannel 4 News\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eI Never Promised You a Rose Garden\u003c\/em\u003e charts the unusual emotional and political journey of Jonny Oates. By turns tender, moving and funny, it is an unflinchingly candid story of teenage rebellion, of love and above all of heartfelt compassion. If anyone doubts that there is still a place in politics for exceptional, decent people, this is a book for you. - Nick Clegg, UK Deputy Prime Minister 2010-15\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46844095398124,"sku":"9781785907609","price":27.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/23690923482823.jpg?v=1758826657"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/collections\/jonny-oates.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}