I attended JPO's launch which took place at the L'Gharusa tal Mosta, in an amphitheatre with stunning views. My first words to JPO on arrival were: 'What about Mistra?' In my mind I associate him with the Mistra scandal and the divorce campaign. 'It's all in the book,' he replied.

I haven't been to a book launch for some two years. The evening was informal and relaxed. Once most chairs in the audience were occupied Reno Bugeja interviewed the author. Reno is always well prepared and does his homework. There's no fluffing about. He delivers his questions and comments calmly and one can follow the thread of his thinking.

Reno's interview was followed by a panel of speakers which included Keith Demicoli, Dr Deborah Schembri and Saviour Balzan. Again, they delivered short, light talks, which gave us further insights into Jeffrey's character and his book. 

The pleasant evening over, I was eager to get home and crack the spine of another book to gobble up. I read it in two days. It is straight forward and factual. There is no fiddle-faddling with JPO. The writing is clear.

I liked the organisation of the book. The Forward, by Saviour Balzan is followed by ten chapters with sub chapters and a potted biography of the author himself.  Each chapter is named after a personality who in one way or another had an impact on the author's life. I picked out chapters to read at random.

Like so many, I had been extremely upset when JPO had confronted Alfred Sant at a press conference before the 2008 election. Many of us sat there watching in disgust. How could JPO turn up unexpectedly with an official press card he should not have had, at a vital press conference? Now we know this strategy was organised from beginning to end by Richard Cachia Caruana. Jeffrey was coached by Peppi Azzopardi. "He coached me before the programme..."

It is unfair however, of JPO to state that "Sant came across as a lying bully who cowered away when confronted by his victim... Sant and his entourage left with their tails between their legs." That is not the way many people looked at it. There was the element of surprise which worked very well. Dr Sant was confronted by JPO who was not a journalist and an enfant terrible and not supposed to be there. Sant must have felt that there was trouble brewing.

This ploy of ridiculing and humiliating certain people is ingrained in the PN it seems, part of its strategy.  In his chapter on Lawrence Gonzi the author writes that ten days before the 2008 election he was asked by Dr Gonzi to meet up with Richard and to "follow his directions to the letter." The objective was to ridicule Alfred Sant and make him come across as an unelectable bully.

Ridiculing and humiliating people is used by DCG throughout her writings. I know. I was one of her victims.  I am a harmless nobody. But the same tactics and worse were used on many including Dr Sant who simply had to be eliminated.

For all this JPO respects Alfred Sant. "I have always felt that he deserves respect, however. Back when he was appointed leader of the Labour Party I felt that he would be injecting a much-needed dose of respectability to his party... Alfred Sant immediately distanced the party from the thugs who had dominated it for years, despite this being an uphill battle. Kudos." And again:  "Alfred Sant is an asset to any party. He is incorruptible and I believe he entered politics for all the right reasons. However, he has certain characteristics which can be a handicap in a leader - such as his introversion."

In this chapter on Richard Cachia Caruana, the author discusses the sale of Dar Malta, the Meinrad Calleja case where in a dramatic turn of events Nicholas Jensen, a close friend of RCC and a neighbour in Mdina too, testified that he had seen Joseph Fenech (Il-Hafi) stab Richard and run away from the scene thus proving Meinrad Calleja was not the murderer.

Then there is the story of RCC's project to build a museum in front of St John's. JPO was roped in by Astrid Vella to campaign against this project. Many of us were horrified at the prospect of the digging of some four stories in front of our star cathedral, and joined in the campaign.  After a geological study, a motion in parliament and a long battle, common sense won the day and the project was shelved. The Structural Funds destined for the museum project were later used to finance the Explora project, now the responsibility of JPO. He believes in poetic justice. Perhaps.

Jeffrey on Lara: ‘With Lara I feel that I can enjoy the things that I really like doing’

One chapter is dedicated to Fr Daniel Cardona, a name which is completely new to me but now no more. There are 12 pages about Jeffrey's friendship with him and its demise. Fr Daniel was archpriest of Zebbug, Jeffrey's stamping ground  for over 30 years. He was also the Member of Parliament representing Zebbug. Around 2002 Jeffrey and his wife Marlene were separated and his new partner was Carmen Ciantar.  Fr Daniel was a regular at the Schembri Orlando  household. One day he passed a comment on Jeffrey's relationship with Carmen, who, too, was separated. JPO's reply to the priest was: "I couldn't give a shit what the Curia thinks about me and my personal affairs, Daniel." The relationship between JPO and the priest finally deteriorated and eventually the attitude of the church towards JPO and his partner led to JPO, in a moment of fury following an incident in the church, downloading Ireland's divorce law and converting it into a first draft and finally presenting it as a Private Member's bill in Parliament.

After presenting the bill to Dr Gonzi JPO then messaged Father Daniel. "He was effectively the catalyst that led to the introduction of divorce in 'Malta Cattolicissima'. As we know the divorce referendum was won against all odds.

One chapter is about former Prime Minister, Dr Joseph Muscat. I agree with many of the author's views expressed in this chapter. "Inwardly, I still harbour the pious hope that developments will lead to Joseph's tale having a happier ending. He deserved better."

Much has already been written about this autobiography. It is an excellent read. It is personal, if not intimate. There were many 'Ah ha' moments for me. Vague notions became clear; some rumours turned out to be facts. It's different when you see things written in black and white.

Two thoughts crossed my mind while reading it:

In a trench war or sinking ship I would like to be on the right side of JPO and somewhere nearby. He would do his best to help save whoever he could. He has a good heart.

And how thankful I am that I am nowhere near politics. The skulduggery, the stabs in the back, the plots and sub plots to obtain power and retain it. It seems there is nothing the ambitious won't do to achieve their aim.

On the whole, as expressed by Piaf in her optimistic ballad, JPO doesn't seem to regret very much.