Clement Attlee: The Inevitable Prime Minister by Michael Jago Biteback, 400 pages, £12.99

In this book, Michael Jago provides a comprehensive account of the personal and political life of ClClement Attlee.Al The first half of his book explores Attlee’s route from Putney via Haileybury, Oxford and the East End to become Labour party leader in 1935 and then, having presided over a Labour landslide 10 years later, prime minister of Britain. The second half of the book deals thematically with the Labour government of 1945–51 and Attlee’s subsequent career and life.

Jago’s biography is rich in detail, much of which is drawn from the archives, some of which will be new to readers. It is also well written and engaging. The claim made in the title that Attlee was an “inevitable” prime minister is not really supported, but this is nonetheless a good analysis of the man, his beliefs and his political progress.