Please, Mister Postman

Please, Mister Postman follows Alan Johnson's life from 1967 to 1970, picking up where his first memoir This Boy left off. The narrative begins with Johnson as a young postal worker in London, recently married and starting his career with the Royal Mail. The book chronicles Johnson's experiences as a postman during a period of social transformation in Britain. Through his role in the Union of Postal Workers, he becomes involved in the major postal strike of 1971, marking his first steps into the political arena that would shape his future career. The memoir captures life in late 1960s London through the lens of a working-class postal employee. Johnson's observations of his colleagues, customers, and the changing social landscape of Britain provide a street-level view of this historical period. This memoir examines themes of class mobility, public service, and the role of organized labor in British society. The narrative demonstrates how everyday work experiences can shape political consciousness and lead to unexpected paths in life.

Readers appreciate Johnson's honest portrayal of working-class life in 1960s Britain and his detailed accounts of his time as a postman. Many note his clear, unpretentious writing style and ability to balance personal stories with broader social history. Readers liked: - Personal insights into postal worker life - Period details of 1960s London - Descriptions of union organizing - Straightforward narrative voice Readers disliked: - Some sections move slowly - Less compelling than Johnson's first memoir - Political content too heavy for some One reader noted: "Johnson captures the era without nostalgia or bitterness." Another commented: "The postal service details drag in places." Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (986 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.4/5 (447 reviews) Amazon US: 4.3/5 (89 reviews) The book won the Orwell Prize for political writing in 2014.

Toast by Nigel Slater A memoir tracing a childhood through food memories in 1960s Britain presents a working-class experience with the same warmth and nostalgia found in Johnson's work.

This Boy by Alan Johnson Johnson's earlier memoir of his London childhood connects with readers who appreciate the social history and personal resilience in Please, Mister Postman.

The Road to Wigan Pier by George Orwell This account of working-class life in northern England documents the same social conditions and labor movements that shape Johnson's postal worker experiences.

Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth The memoir chronicles life in London's East End during the 1950s, capturing the same post-war period and working-class communities that feature in Johnson's narrative.

The Co-Op's Got Bananas by Hunter Davies A memoir of growing up in post-war Britain reflects the same period of social change and working-class experience that Johnson describes in his postal service years.

🗂️ Alan Johnson went from being a postman to serving as Home Secretary of the United Kingdom, one of the highest offices in British government 📚 The book won the Orwell Prize for political writing in 2014, a prestigious award celebrating works that align with George Orwell's ambition to "make political writing into an art" ✉️ The title references both Johnson's career as a postman and the famous Marvelettes song "Please Mr. Postman," which topped charts during the period covered in the book 🏠 The memoir details Johnson's life in the 1970s as he balanced union activism with raising two young children as a single father after his first wife left 📮 Johnson's experiences as a postal worker and union representative helped shape his later political views and his approach to labor relations during his time in Tony Blair's government