Veteran British journalist and author Paul Johnson has known popes, presidents, prime ministers, painters, poets and playwrights. In Brief Lives, he shares his anecdotes and observations about some of these influential people.
Paul Johnson was a speechwriter for former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. He counselled Princess Diana and had a drawing of him done by author Ernest Hemingway. He has been an insider, outside observer and universal commentator on many individuals who have made their mark on world history.
Brief Lives has been celebrated by critics. The Daily Mail newspaper called it, “candid, insightful and witty pen-portraits of an extraordinary, starry cast.”