Alastair Campbell

Alastair Campbell was born in Keighley, Yorkshire in 1957, the son of a vet. After graduating from Cambridge University in modern languages, his first chosen career was journalism, principally with the Mirror Group. When Tony Blair became leader of the Labour Party, he asked Campbell to be his press secretary. He worked for Blair - first in that capacity, then as official spokesman and director of communications and strategy - from 1994 to 2003, since when he has been engaged mainly in writing, public speaking and working for Leukaemia Research, where he is chairman of fundraising. He has continued to act as an advisor to Mr Blair and the Labour Party, including during the 2005 election campaign. He lives in North London with his partner of 25 years, Fiona Millar. They have three children. His interests include running, triathlon, bagpipes and Burnley Football Club.

What genre does Alastair Campbell write in?

He primarily writes political non-fiction and memoirs, especially diaries and accounts of his time working in government and political communications.

What are his most notable books or series?

His best-known works are his diary series, including Diaries Volume One: Prelude to Power; Diaries Volume Two: Power and the People; Diaries Volume Three: Power and Responsibility; and The Blair Years: Extracts from the Alastair Campbell Diaries. (He is also listed as author of Winners.)

Where should I start reading his books?

Begin with Diaries Volume One: Prelude to Power for the chronological start of his diaries. The Blair Years (extracts) offers a shorter overview if you prefer a concise introduction.

Are the diaries published as a series and do they follow a chronology?

Yes — the diaries are published in multiple volumes that cover successive periods of his career, so reading them in volume order follows the chronological narrative.

Has he won awards for his writing?

This author page does not list any awards. For verified award information, consult publisher pages, author bios on publishers' sites, or library and literary award databases.