Sad Little Men: Private Schools and the Ruin of England

The most important book I've read this year is "Sad Little Men" by Adam Rutherford. It explores the impact of private boys' boarding school education on the men who attend them and the problems with putting them in positions of influence.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 26 August 2021
Publisher: Vintage Publishing

The most important book I've read this year is "Sad Little Men" by Adam Rutherford. In 1975, Richard Beard, Boris Johnson, and David Cameron were sent away from their homes to sleep in a dormitory at a private boys' boarding school. This education was largely the same as it had been for generations, training for the challenges of Empire. Beard didn't enjoy it, but the first and most important lesson was to not let that show. Being separated from the people who love you is traumatic, and how did that feel at the time, and what sort of adult does it mould? This is a story about England and a portrait of a type of boy, trained to lead, who becomes a certain type of man. As clearly as an X-ray, it reveals the make-up of those who seek power - what makes them tick and why.

"Sad Little Men" addresses debates about privilege head-on and shows the problem with putting a succession of men from boarding schools into positions of influence, including 10 Downing Street. With our government in crisis, it's time to ask if these are really the kind of men we want in charge?

"Sad Little Men" is insanely readable and enjoyable. Tom Holland, author of "Dominion," said, "Well written... everyone should pick it up." The Times Literary Supplement (TLS) named it one of the Books of the Year.

Overall, "Sad Little Men" is a thought-provoking and important book that sheds light on the power dynamics of those who seek power and the impact it has on society. It is a must-read for anyone interested in politics, social justice, and the history of England.

Weight: 446g
Dimension: 146 x 223 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781787302938