How Britain Really Works: Understanding the Ideas and Institutions of a Nation

(Paperback)

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Description

'Absorbing . . . an intelligent and clear-eyed account of much that goes on in our country' Sunday Times

'Wry and readable' Guardian

Getting to grips with Great Britain is harder than ever. We are a nation that chose Brexit, rejects immigration but is dependent on it, is getting older but less healthy, is more demanding of public services but less willing to pay for them, is tired of intervention abroad but wants to remain a global authority. We have an over-stretched, free health service (an idea from the 1940s that may not survive the 2020s), overcrowded prisons, a military without an evident purpose, an education system the envy of none of the Western world.

How did we get here and where are we going

HOW BRITAIN REALLY WORKS is a guide to Britain and its institutions (the economy, the military, schools, hospitals, the media, and more), which explains just how we got to wherever it is we are. It will not tell you what opinions to have, but will give you the information to help you reach your own. By the end, you will know how Britain works - or doesn't.

'Stig Abell is an urbane, and often jaunty guide to modern Britain, in the mould of Bill Bryson' Irish Times

Reviews

Wry and readable . . . a smart execution of an idea that is more important than it sounds - in a world convulsed by polarising ideologies and white-hot feelings, there is a lot to be said for writing that is cool and fact-based - Guardian

Absorbing . . . an intelligent and clear-eyed account of much that goes on in our country - Sunday Times

Stig Abell is an urbane, and often jaunty guide to modern Britain, in the mould of Bill Bryson . . . he provides thoughtful explorations of each subject throughout - Irish Times

A fascinating piece of ultra recent history. How we got to where we are, and why. Confused about modern Britain Read this book - Dan Snow

If you fear Britain's going slightly Brexit bonkers, then this will explain why. An excellent, incisive and witty analysis of how this country works, or as so often . . . doesn't! - Piers Morgan

Vivid, funny, and full of interesting glimpses of the way Britain works, viewed from angles I hadn't seen before - Philip Pullman

Simply, I have never read a better book about Britain. This is a proper and touching examination of the mad little island that I'm so fond of. Everyone should read it, whether they think they already know about our country, or not - Xand Van Tulleken

An engaging, entertaining and sometimes eyebrow-raising read - Jack Monroe

Author Bio

Stig Abell was the editor and publisher of the Times Literary Supplement. He presented a weekly radio programme on LBC before becoming a presenter on Radio 4's Front Row, and is a commentator on Sky News. He has written for almost every newspaper in Britain, as well as one or two in America, and now presents Front Row on Radio 4. His first book, How Britain Really Works, was published in 2018.