In his shameless and predictable 772-page account of events, the former PM forgoes the truth to paint a preposterous picture of himself as a man of destiny, too good for his own good

As a "chastened" Tory Party convened for its conference this week, and the wider country remained mired in the gloom that has enveloped it since Keir Starmer's "loveless victory", excerpts from Boris Johnson's soon-to-be-released memoir provided a "much-needed tonic", said the Daily Mail (which had acquired the serialisation rights).

By Boris Johnson. Harper; 784 pages; $40. William Collins; £30. I t was 2008, during the global financial crisis. Boris Johnson was mayor of London. The political situ