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Britain Etc.

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Britain Etc.

By: Mark Easton
Narrated by: Mark Easton
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About this listen

 Mark Easton's Britain Etc.looks at the UK through its relationship to 26 subjects - one for each letter of the alphabet. From Alcohol, Beat Bobbies, Cheese and Dogs through Immigration, Justice, Knives and Murder to the Queen, Umbrellas, Vegetables and the Zzzz of a well-deserved rest, the book's meticulously researched but accessible essays map the back-story of contemporary Britain.

With each lettered chapter, the reader is invited to look at the United Kingdom in a new way: standing back to see our small islands in a global or historical context, and then diving down to scrutinise vital details that may be overlooked. Taken together, the essays reveal a Britain that cannot be seen through the prism of daily news or current affairs. A park, a wedding, a beggar and a carrot all take on new significance once you have read Britain Etc.

As the UK welcomes millions of visitors to its shores for the Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, this is a book that offers insight into the psyche of Britain; a nation's obsessions, prejudices, values and idiosyncrasies. What sort of place is it, what are the natives like, and how did we get to where we are? Europe Great Britain Social Sciences Western Europe England Capitalism United Kingdom Socialism Social justice
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Would you consider the audio edition of Britain etc. to be better than the print version?

Since Mark Easton is a broadcast journalist, his reading of his own book is immaculate. He brings to life each chapter and challenges any preconception you might have on each subject tackled. You get the impression that as a book it is written as a series of radio essays.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Britain etc.?

Each chapter tackles a different aspect of an A-Z of British life with those on Knives and Poverty particularly enlightening not only for what they tell us on the subjects, but for how we react to them.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

What you think you know about Britain is wrong.

Prepare to have your prejudices challenged

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Struggled with this one, not a bad book but not a patch on some similar titles.

Mediocre at best.

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I've been living in Britain for a very long time and I thought I understood this country. This book taught me otherwise (in a good way). The author who's also narrating the book is talking about 26 topics, one for each letter of the alphabet. Have you ever wondered about the parks in the UK, or toilets, or cheese?? This book will help you understand why things are the way they are in Britain.

Hilarious! Plus I learned a lot about Britain

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