For half a century, Tony Benn was
Britain’s leading radical, defying the leadership of the Labour Party and
staking out the moral high ground. His principled stands and spellbinding
oratory commanded the respect of friends and foes alike. Benn was a strident
voice for peace in a troubled world, notably as a key figure of opposition to
the invasion of Iraq. His influence stretched even beyond the grave, with the
2016 Brexit referendum owing everything to Benn’s promotion of referendums as
part of his concept of popular democracy.



This comprehensively revised
edition of Jad Adams’s classic biography, updated with a new introduction to
mark the centenary of Benn’s birth, was written with unparalleled access to his
private records. Chronicling the behind-the-scenes story of this remarkable
man’s rise and fall, and his triumphant return as the conscience of the nation,
this acclaimed biography explores Benn’s continuing legacy in 21st-century
Britain.