Synopses & Reviews
In modern Britain, the working class has become an object of fear and ridicule. From
Little Britain's Vicky Pollard to the demonization of Jade Goody, media and politicians alike dismiss as feckless, criminalized and ignorant a vast, underprivileged swathe of society whose members have become stereotyped by one, hate-filled word: chavs.
In this acclaimed investigation, Owen Jones explores how the working class has gone from "salt of the earth" to "scum of the earth." Exposing the ignorance and prejudice at the heart of the chav caricature, he portrays a far more complex reality. The chav stereotype, he argues, is used by governments as a convenient figleaf to avoid genuine engagement with social and economic problems and to justify widening inequality.
Based on a wealth of original research, Chavs is a damning indictment of the media and political establishment and an illuminating, disturbing portrait of inequality and class hatred in modern Britain. This updated edition includes a new chapter exploring the causes and consequences of the UK riots in the summer of 2011.
Review
"Superb and angry." Polly Toynbee
Review
"Persuasively argued, and packed full of good reporting and useful information ... [Jones] makes an important contribution to a revivified debate about class." Guardian
Review
"A blinding read." Lynsey Hanley Guardian
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"A lively, well-reasoned and informative counterblast to the notion that Britain is now more or less a classless society." Suzanne Moore Guardian
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"A timely book." Sean O'Hagan Observer
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"It moves in and out of postwar British history with great agility, weaving together complex questions of class, culture and identity with a lightness of touch." Book of the Week The Times
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"A work of passion, sympathy and moral grace." Jon Cruddas, Book of the Week Independent
Synopsis
Bestselling investigation into the myth and reality of working-class life in contemporary Britain.
About the Author
Jo Owen has an MBA and knows what is needed to progress in today’s business world. As a top authority on leadership, he practices what he preaches. He has worked with over one hundred of the best (and one or two of the worst) organizations in Asia, Europe, and North America. He was a partner at Accenture, started a bank, and is a founder of five national charities. Owen is also a top corporate coach and speaker on leadership. He resides in the United Kingdom.