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One of Them

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One of Them

By: Michael Cashman
Narrated by: Michael Cashman
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Bloomsbury presents One of Them written and read by Michael Cashman.

LONGLISTED FOR THE POLARI PRIZE 2021

‘From the East End to Westminster ... A beautifully written, funny memoir’ Jo Brand

Growing up in post-war East London, the son of a docker and an office cleaner, young Michael Cashman’s life changed when he was discovered, aged twelve, and transported to the West End stage. Cashman would make history – first as an actor, one half of the first gay kiss broadcast on a British soap, BBC TV’s EastEnders, and then as a campaigner and politician, founding Stonewall with Ian McKellen, and embarking on a fight for gay rights across the world that would lead him and his partner Paul Cottingham from tea in LA with David Hockney to flying the rainbow flag over the Royal Albert Hall with Elton John.

One of Them contains as many multitudes as its author: glorious nostalgia, showbiz gossip and a stirring history of a civil rights movement. And above all things, it is a love story – a tender account of a partnership that changed the world.

‘A powerful account of public life, love and loss … Passionate and true, illuminating, bright and breezy’ Simon Callow
‘This book, unlike any other I’ve read, is a true portrait of a brave actor/politician/Lord … A memoir to cherish’ Ian McKellen
‘The best book I’ve read in years ... Heartbreaking’ Steven Berkoff, New Statesman©2020 Michael Cashman (P)2020 Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Biographies & Memoirs Entertainment & Celebrities Politicians Politics & Activism Celebrity Inspiring Feel-Good Heartfelt Thought-Provoking
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Critic reviews

Beautifully written, it moves with ease from a tough childhood in the East End of London through the bohemian life of an actor ending up in the world of politics, all knitted together with an unpredictable and moving love story. It made me happy and sad and all points in between (JO BRAND)
The best book I’ve read in years ... Heart-breaking (NEW STATESMAN)
Brutally frank and brave
Tells not just the story of his life, but also the battle for LGBT equality in the UK
Poignant reading
A powerful account of public life, love and loss … Passionate and true, illuminating, bright and breezy … In the league of My Early Years, Charlie Chaplin’s great account of late 19th-century south London – graphic, filled with smells and tastes and strange encounters … A great book about love, pain and the whole damn thing (Simon Callow)
There is brilliance in his memoir, One of Them, and darkness, too, enough to raise it far above the normal standard of celebrity biography … Stunning … The lucidity of the writing is breath-taking … He could never be accused … in life or literature, of not doing enough
With this memoir Michael Cashman can add "writer" to a CV that already includes "actor", "politician" and "campaigner". Apart from its important contribution to British social history, this is a book to be savoured for its own sake as a wonderful piece of descriptive writing and a rollicking good read (ALAN JOHNSON, author of the bestselling This Boy)
Michael Cashman's beautifully crafted memoir left me in tears and grateful that he had the courage to lay out his almost unimaginable life with such impressive honesty ... Above all, however, this is the tenderest of love stories, a proud testament to a decades-long queer romance. There are so many reasons to love this book (ARMISTEAD MAUPIN)
This book, unlike any other I’ve read, is a true portrait of a brave actor/politician/Lord. Michael Cashman shares his most private feelings in a memoir to cherish (IAN McKELLEN)
Michael Cashman describes his journey from a cruel Dickensian childhood to the dignity of the House of Lords with brutal honesty. I was shocked, amused, and deeply moved by this life of a brave, good, man (SHEILA HANCOCK)
In February, Michael Cashman, now Lord Cashman of Limehouse, tells his life story in One Of Them: From Albert Square To Parliament Square … from East End boy and child actor to soap star, Stonewall founder, MEP and now member of the House of Lords
[A] roller coaster memoir … Peppered with delicious anecdotes of his encounters with celebrities
An extraordinary account of improbable leaps of faith and changes of direction ... An amazing, complicated love story
All stars
Most relevant
Even though at times you feel like you follow in someone's footsteps, Michael's reassuring perception of just how lucky we might have been leaves you with a healthy and life-confirming sense of gratitude, and thankful for life's divergences.

What an achievement!

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Michael Cashman is more than an actor from Eastenders and his book is more than showbiz anecdotes.

It is a love story. A love of London, a love of show business, a love of equality, a love of Labour and the love of his husband Paul Cottingham.

Michael shares the highes and lows of a life well lived. Paul is as much a part of this book as is Michael.

He writes openly and honestly about love and loss and he narrates the book, injecting the emotion like a classical singer does at the opera.

I believe this book will be seen by futures generations as a snap of social history in the period we live.

Thank you Michael.

One of the best books of the decade

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This made me laugh out loud and almost reduced me to tears, a wonderful life, wonderfully read. The LGBTQ community owes an awful lot to this man read his story.

Fantastic

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Wow where to start? Michael is brutally honest about his life experiences. From a poor background in London to becoming a member of the House Of Lords. He tells his story and doesn't flinch with the details. Some of which are heartbreaking to listen to.

His appalling treatment at the hands of the very worst of the notorious British press and his battle to put an end to the truly awful discriminatory laws that demonised gay people, such as Clause 28 back in the 80s, under the Margaret Thatcher government. He co-founded Stonewall with Ian McKellen And Lisa Power to fight for LGBT equality.

Acting with some of the greats such as Elizabeth Taylor and in films also, to becoming a well known face and a household name in Eastenders. There are some laugh out loud moments, which got me odd looks heading back on my train to Liverpool. And Michael also shares with us his time spent with Paul, including his brave battle living with cancer. His pain of losing Paul is very apparent as their story together unfolds. This will bring a tear to your eye.

Michael has certainly lived one hell of a life and thankfully here he shares it with us. It's a great book and one that I won't ever forget reading and, I believe, nor will you.

Fabulous.

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Wonderful read.
I laughed, gasped and cried - many times.
Michael Cashman read with such joy and emotion. I can only imagine how many read throughs that must have taken him. He has a beautiful voice. I had to turn off on the train though towards the end. Best read on your own with a large red wine and a hanky!!

A must read

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