Alastair Campbell

Alastair Campbell graduated from Cambridge University in modern languages and embarked on a career in 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. His new novel is Maya.

Form his Q & A with the Independent:

Choose a favourite author, and say why you like her/him

Probably Flaubert, because he was the one that really turned me on to the beauty of the French language, which I have never lost and I still read quite a lot of books in French. I started reading Flaubert at school and ended up reading everything he ever wrote.

* * *
Which fictional character most resembles you?

Certainly not Monsieur Bovary! Someone who I don't necessarily identify with but whose values I would like to uphold is Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird.

* * *
Who is your hero/heroine from outside literature?

Nelson Mandela comes very close. I have met him and the hairs on your neck stand to attention every time.

Read the complete interview.

David Pilling's account of the diaries of Alastair Campbell: "[A] fascinating if somewhat self-serving account of the Blair Years, but it includes a lot of Clinton, Bush, Iraq and Ireland as well. A really interesting read."

--Marshal Zeringue