First Confession: A Sort of Memoir

Chris Patten's memoir traces his path from a Catholic working-class childhood to his role as the last British governor of Hong Kong. The narrative follows his development as a Conservative politician through major events in British and international politics. As both participant and witness to watershed moments in British history, Patten provides his perspective on Margaret Thatcher's tenure, the Conservative Party's evolution, and Britain's changing relationship with Europe. His account covers his time as party chairman, Member of Parliament, and European Commissioner. The Hong Kong handover forms a central part of Patten's story, detailing the complex negotiations and political maneuvering between Britain and China. His experiences in Northern Ireland, Brussels, and various diplomatic missions paint a picture of late 20th century international relations. The memoir explores themes of political conviction, the nature of public service, and the intersection of personal values with governance. Patten's Catholic faith and family background provide context for his views on conservatism and social responsibility.

Readers found First Confession to offer candid insights into British and Hong Kong politics from Patten's perspective as the last British governor of Hong Kong. Readers appreciated: - Clear explanations of complex political situations - Personal anecdotes about Margaret Thatcher and John Major - Detailed coverage of Hong Kong's handover period - Self-deprecating humor throughout Common criticisms: - Too much focus on defending past policy decisions - Jumps between time periods in a confusing way - Lacks depth on his personal life despite being a memoir - Some sections on EU politics become technical and dry Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (127 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.2/5 (168 ratings) Amazon US: 4.0/5 (46 ratings) "Offers valuable perspective on Hong Kong but gets bogged down in EU minutiae" - Goodreads reviewer "Strong on political history but light on personal revelations" - Amazon reviewer

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🔷 Christopher Patten was the last British Governor of Hong Kong, overseeing its handover to China in 1997. He details this historic transition in the memoir, including his complex relationship with Chinese officials. 🔷 The book's title "First Confession" is a nod to Patten's Catholic upbringing, which he explores alongside his political journey from working-class roots to becoming a Conservative Party chairman. 🔷 Patten served as European Commissioner for External Relations and helped shape EU foreign policy during crucial periods, including the aftermath of 9/11 and the Iraq War. 🔷 While writing this memoir, Patten was Chancellor of Oxford University, a position he held from 2003 to 2017, making him one of the longest-serving chancellors in the institution's recent history. 🔷 The memoir reveals how Patten's early experience as a BBC clerk influenced his later role as Chairman of the BBC Trust (2011-2014), where he handled several major controversies at the broadcaster.