We see the signs around us every day: the chain cafes and mobile phone outlets that dominate our high streets; the disappearance of knobbly carrots from our supermarket shelves; and, the headlines about yet another traditional industry going to the wall. For the first time, here is a book that makes the connection between these isolated, incremental, local changes and the bigger picture of a nation whose identity is being eroded. As he travels around the country meeting farmers, fishermen, and the inhabitants of Chinatown, Paul Kingsnorth will refract the kind of conversations that are taking place in country pubs and corner shops across the land - while reminding us that these quintessentially English institutions may soon cease to exist.
Real England: The Battle Against The Bland
and over 1.5 million other books are available for Amazon Kindle . Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Special Offer until June 30, 2013: Receive an additional £5 promotional Gift Certificate, when you trade-in at least £10 worth of books. Learn more. |
Book Description
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
Review
'A fine piece of old-fashioned journalism that is both original and thought-provoking... An angry and brilliant book.'
-- Sunday Herald
'An astonishingly good book that is as much about sense of place and identity as a critique of globalisation' -- Earthmatters magazine
'An important book ... It is a call to arms, a reminder that we should take action.' -- The Times
'[A] crucially important book; the most significant account of today's England I have read' -- The Independent
A hymn to institutions that are being slowly eroded...a nostalgic look at our land.
-- The Bookseller
Both stirring and alarming, Real England...issues some stark warnings in captivating fashion.
-- North East Times
`A lucid, passionate, angry book' -- Metro
`Excellent' -- Guardian
`Kingsnorth wears his heart on his sleeve... his encounters with farmers and shopkeepers feel real and provoke thought.' -- Financial Times
`Paul Kingsnorth has achieved something remarkable - a deeply disturbing critique that is powerful, well researched and beautifully written.'
-- BBC Wildlife Magazine
-- Sunday Herald
'An astonishingly good book that is as much about sense of place and identity as a critique of globalisation' -- Earthmatters magazine
'An important book ... It is a call to arms, a reminder that we should take action.' -- The Times
'[A] crucially important book; the most significant account of today's England I have read' -- The Independent
A hymn to institutions that are being slowly eroded...a nostalgic look at our land.
-- The Bookseller
Both stirring and alarming, Real England...issues some stark warnings in captivating fashion.
-- North East Times
`A lucid, passionate, angry book' -- Metro
`Excellent' -- Guardian
`Kingsnorth wears his heart on his sleeve... his encounters with farmers and shopkeepers feel real and provoke thought.' -- Financial Times
`Paul Kingsnorth has achieved something remarkable - a deeply disturbing critique that is powerful, well researched and beautifully written.'
-- BBC Wildlife Magazine
Review
'Comes as close as any recent book has to defining modern-day "Englishness"' -Observer
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
50 of 52 people found the following review helpful
By Tom
Format:Paperback
You'd think that a book entitled 'Real England' might have much of an audience north of Newcastle. But while the tales in this book, which detail the disappearance of local shops, the death of the farming community and the end of the pub, have a particular resonance for the English - who do retailing, farming and drinking better than just about anyone - the Scots, Welsh and Irish too can share the concerns raised in it. Because the sort of decline witnessed in this book is happening everywhere in Britain.
The book is relentlessly - and inevitably - depressing. That shouldn't be taken to mean that it isn't readable (on the contrary: I polished it off in a weekend). But the narrative throughout almost inescapably leads to the feeling that those small, almost unnoticed things that together made England special have passed forever. And yet... the author details pockets of resistance to the disappearing core of English life. Will this book inspire others to act, or simply a fine valedictory epitaph to England? Time will tell. But I urge you to read it either way.
I don't think other reviewers have mentioned the fantastic cover design - really clever and eye catching and a big factor in me picking up the book in the first place.
The book is relentlessly - and inevitably - depressing. That shouldn't be taken to mean that it isn't readable (on the contrary: I polished it off in a weekend). But the narrative throughout almost inescapably leads to the feeling that those small, almost unnoticed things that together made England special have passed forever. And yet... the author details pockets of resistance to the disappearing core of English life. Will this book inspire others to act, or simply a fine valedictory epitaph to England? Time will tell. But I urge you to read it either way.
I don't think other reviewers have mentioned the fantastic cover design - really clever and eye catching and a big factor in me picking up the book in the first place.
27 of 29 people found the following review helpful
By Lutobar
Format:Paperback
I've just read this and loved it. Kingsnorth writes passionately and, where needed, beautifully. Many of us will recognise bits of the picture he paints, but what he does is to bring it (the human impact of the destruction of English localities) alive in a single compelling narrative. You need to read this; and having done so you need to be angry. If you are like me you may also feel strangely drawn to wanting to buy Kingsnorth a pint.
A couple of observations. Part of the solution, he says, is to give local communities power over the matters which affect them, and he finds encouragement in the Government's "community empowerment" initiative. I hope he's right, but it must be doubtful whether the Government will let anything get in the way of national economic performance. The department responsible for community empowerment is also responsible for some of the main agents/engines of economic performance - planning, housing, and "regional development".
Kingsnorth's argument, rightly in my opinion, emphasises the importance of relationship to place in human identity. But relationship to community is also important, and doesn't get a mention. At the same time as place is being destroyed, communities are also being disrupted by the rapid demographic change resulting from increasing mobility and mass immigration. Part of the solution to this may be to rebuild community through sense of place, but this wouldn't sit easily with Kingsnorth's desire for continuity with the past.
A couple of observations. Part of the solution, he says, is to give local communities power over the matters which affect them, and he finds encouragement in the Government's "community empowerment" initiative. I hope he's right, but it must be doubtful whether the Government will let anything get in the way of national economic performance. The department responsible for community empowerment is also responsible for some of the main agents/engines of economic performance - planning, housing, and "regional development".
Kingsnorth's argument, rightly in my opinion, emphasises the importance of relationship to place in human identity. But relationship to community is also important, and doesn't get a mention. At the same time as place is being destroyed, communities are also being disrupted by the rapid demographic change resulting from increasing mobility and mass immigration. Part of the solution to this may be to rebuild community through sense of place, but this wouldn't sit easily with Kingsnorth's desire for continuity with the past.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By Mr X
Format:Paperback
I enjoyed Mr Kingsnorth's book a lot. I certainly was an eye-opener in many respects. The book discuss the fact that England (and no doubt many other countries - but this book focuses on England) is being effectively colonised by corporate power. The book illustrates the point by several examples; the takeover of pubs by chain pub companies, the destruction of the countryside way of life by agri-industry, the privatisation of public spaces to make them safe for high street stores and consumerism etc etc.
The idea expressed by the book is powerful and it does make one feel fairly angry that the government is unwilling or unable to stop the corporate takeover of the country. Given that more wealth and material goods do not make people happier (a proven fact) what are the benefits of this? Well the shareholders of the companies involved no doubt benefit but the cost is ruined ways of life, town centres with no local flavour which have all had the "high street makeover" and generally impoverished culture, not to mention damaged family lives due to increased work hours as a result of the perceived need to keep up with the consumers next door.
It is a pity the English do not stand up to this. Some might think this is just a nostalgic view of things but the author's point is that he is not anti-change but anti-inappropriate change. The only downside of the book is I would have liked to hear more about what can be done (only 1 chapter out of about 10 is devoted to this).... Read more ›
The idea expressed by the book is powerful and it does make one feel fairly angry that the government is unwilling or unable to stop the corporate takeover of the country. Given that more wealth and material goods do not make people happier (a proven fact) what are the benefits of this? Well the shareholders of the companies involved no doubt benefit but the cost is ruined ways of life, town centres with no local flavour which have all had the "high street makeover" and generally impoverished culture, not to mention damaged family lives due to increased work hours as a result of the perceived need to keep up with the consumers next door.
It is a pity the English do not stand up to this. Some might think this is just a nostalgic view of things but the author's point is that he is not anti-change but anti-inappropriate change. The only downside of the book is I would have liked to hear more about what can be done (only 1 chapter out of about 10 is devoted to this).... Read more ›
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Where do you go to buy your plants, food, books, cds from?
Do you go to your local retailer, in spite of the fact that his/her prices are bound to be higher than the big suppliers?
Or do you buy them form Amazon, Homebase, Tesco... so as to save yourself some penies?
This book shows that the consequences of that simple, daily choise are indeed far reaching and momentous. It would be hypocritical and irresponsable to blame it all on the 'big and nasty corporation', when the fact of the matter is that if they suceed at all is because people like you and me support them with our choices.
Do you go to your local retailer, in spite of the fact that his/her prices are bound to be higher than the big suppliers?
Or do you buy them form Amazon, Homebase, Tesco... so as to save yourself some penies?
This book shows that the consequences of that simple, daily choise are indeed far reaching and momentous. It would be hypocritical and irresponsable to blame it all on the 'big and nasty corporation', when the fact of the matter is that if they suceed at all is because people like you and me support them with our choices.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 3 reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Bland Britain
Very true description of the sad state of our country as globalisation reaches every corner of the isle, hastened on by the internet and controlled by big business.
Published 10 days ago by R. W. Ellis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Real England
Cool price fast service , What else can I say it's a book for " gods Sake " . I think amazon has it's knickers in a knot .
Published 29 days ago by mr. l. gunn
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good read
A bit heavy going at times but i can see where the author is coming from and agree with what he says
Published 1 month ago by MR P C WOGDEN
4.0 out of 5 stars
An important book discussing vital issues
Paul Kingsnorth is a seasoned activist/campaigner on globalisation versus local empowerment and environmental issues. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Camberwick Green is Puppets
5.0 out of 5 stars
Compulsory reading
At least it should be, for everyone in Britain today. A celebration of the things which made Britain great but which are disappearing rapidly. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Richard
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent insightful read
Read this after Mark Rylance recommended it in an interview about Jerusalem. Thought-provoking without being soap-boxy and a very engaging writing style.
Published 2 months ago by Amazonaddicted
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
Made me think of my young days, in the seventies with Woolworths, C and A and the local corner shop. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mrs. B. Steadman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Read this book!
A well researched, wonderfully written book about the loss of what makes England unique and special and what can be done about it. Read more
Published 10 months ago by disgruntled of Haringay
5.0 out of 5 stars
Made me think!
I found this a most thought provoking book, it's made me open my eyes to what is happening in the area where I live. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Jocelyn
5.0 out of 5 stars
Reactionary Rubbish
I don't think so. This excellent book says what many on the left say but if they don't say it, they label it reactionary or worse.
Published 12 months ago by ClassicRob
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
- Books > Business, Finance & Law
- Books > History > Britain & Ireland
- Books > History > Cultural History
- Books > History > Social & Economic History > Protest & Reform
- Books > Society, Politics & Philosophy > Government & Politics > Civil Liberties & Political Activism
- Books > Society, Politics & Philosophy > Social Sciences > Sociology
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
