How I've Tried to Change the World by Alexei Sayle | Preorder
£16.99
So, this is the story I wish to tell, the story of the left and the world it tried and is trying to change, a struggle that I have been involved in my whole li…
So, this is the story I wish to tell, the story of the left and the world it tried and is trying to change, a struggle that I have been involved in my whole lifetime. . .'
Born in working-class Liverpool in 1952 to devoted members of the British Communist Party, Alexei Sayle has spent a lifetime walking down the middle of the street shouting.
How I've Tried to Change the World is a memoir of his life on the Left, covering seven decades of social history told through key marches and rallies. From the demonstrations against the Vietnam War in 1969 and the first Miners' strike in 1974, to the demonstration against the 2003 Iraq invasion and the recent marches in support of Gaza, Sayle traces the enduring struggle for a better, fairer world. He explores Left ideas, why they matter and why it's still worth taking them seriously.
Along the way, we encounter The Other Alexei (a bitter, retired media studies lecturer from Clitheroe Polytechnic), his imaginary daughter Tanita, and learn how a Samurai philosophy called Bushidō can teach us how to behave at an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Eye-wateringly funny, unexpectedly moving and unashamedly polemical, this is a one-of-a-kind chronicle of defiance and belief: a story of one man's refusal to stay on the pavement.
FAQs
What is How I've Tried to Change the World by Alexei Sayle?
How I've Tried to Change the World is a book by Alexei Sayle. The ISBN is 9781399629140. It costs £16.99. It is available to preorder now and is released on 3 Sep 2026, when we ship it or have it ready to collect in store.
What happens if I order books with different release dates?
Each book is shipped (or made available to collect in store) separately on its own release date, so you won't have to wait for all your titles to be ready before receiving any of them.
When do I pay?
Payment is taken at the time of ordering or collection — not on the release date of the book.
How are orders shipped?
We ship all orders via Royal Mail.
What is your returns policy?
We accept returns within 14 days of purchase. Books can be returned in person at the shop, or mailed back to us — please get in touch first so we can arrange it. (Return postage is the customer's responsibility.)
Can't find the book you're looking for?
Our shop lists a curated selection of books we have available in-store. For a wider range, try Bookshop.org, which fulfils orders from a larger selection of titles.