Wednesday, August 19, 2009

THE OUTCASTS OUTCAST by Peter Stanford



Frank Pakenham , more commonly known as Lord Longford , passed away remembered as a fuddyduddy seemingly duped and manipulated by the Moors murderers , particularly Myra Hindley.That was the story according to the tabloids anyway.

This biography balances out this image by recording a fascinating life studied with excellence and valuable contributions to institutions we now take for granted that have enormously bettered the value of our life.
He wrote a highly regarded history of modern Irish history taking in the Independence of 1922 , his close friendship with De Valera granted primary source access few Historians could boast.

Frank was also a primary author of the landmark Beveridge Report , so much so many commentators cede calling the document after Pakenham himself would not have been wholly inaccurate, which ushered in the National Health Service.Arguably the Greatest achievement in Britain to date.

Prison reform was also a major contribution by Longford , landmark observations to Penal and institution culture from Punishment to a Curative approach to incarceration.

He was also an extraordinarily gifted Manager of newly nationalised industry , proving a state bureaucrat can run a massive industry with verve and innovation , whilst sparing the public purse from hemorrhaging insufficient resources to fund inefficient state enterprises.

One other vital and telling contribution was his time served as the chief bureaucrat overseeing the affairs of Germany just after the war , his tenacious abilities were at work convincing the the UK Government and public to adopt a less harsh punitive position and also allow the Germans to work their way back to restoration to a working part of modern Europe.

All that and he was also the father of Antonia Fraser , the historian and partner of Harold Pinter.

This Highly readable biography gives a more rounded appreciation of a life overshadowed by one tabloid fixation.

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