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motions1ckn3ss's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
hattietr's review against another edition
informative
3.75
Interesting and perceptive, could've been organised a bit better.
pezski's review
5.0
Richard Beard is the same age as David Cameron and a couple of years younger than Boris Johnson and, like them, a product of the English Public School system (for clarification, a Public School in the UK is actually an extremely expensive, privileged private institution).
Here, he writes a thoughtful, touching and sometimes angry examination of the effect of that system and the arrogant, damaged, driven, needy, emotionally-stunted men that come through it - men who both see power as a game, and yet feel that it is their birthright, men with no knowledge or or interest in the real world and yet who feel somehow that they are qualified to lead it.
Men who, despite coming from a tiny, privileged minority, make up a third of cabinet ministers and half of the legal profession - not to mention prominent journalists, editors. pundits and CEOs.
Beard eviscerates the supposed quality of the education itself, instead opining that such people rise to prominence by being moulded into driven, mendacious, supremely confident debaters.
The sooner we are done with such institutions the better.
Here, he writes a thoughtful, touching and sometimes angry examination of the effect of that system and the arrogant, damaged, driven, needy, emotionally-stunted men that come through it - men who both see power as a game, and yet feel that it is their birthright, men with no knowledge or or interest in the real world and yet who feel somehow that they are qualified to lead it.
Men who, despite coming from a tiny, privileged minority, make up a third of cabinet ministers and half of the legal profession - not to mention prominent journalists, editors. pundits and CEOs.
Beard eviscerates the supposed quality of the education itself, instead opining that such people rise to prominence by being moulded into driven, mendacious, supremely confident debaters.
The sooner we are done with such institutions the better.
olivia_v's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
1.0
Very nearly DNF, multiple times.
I anticipated this would be a really great read but was disappointed.
The writing style was often a long stream of thought that struggled to keep to the point. I often had to go back to the chapter title to remind myself what the aim of the chapter was, they offered little help.
It does offer an insight to life at England’s boarding school, and the after-effects of the experience.
I anticipated this would be a really great read but was disappointed.
The writing style was often a long stream of thought that struggled to keep to the point. I often had to go back to the chapter title to remind myself what the aim of the chapter was, they offered little help.
It does offer an insight to life at England’s boarding school, and the after-effects of the experience.
kcarri's review against another edition
2.75
This book starts great blending fact with memoir and really building up an image of public school life and how that crafts the men in charge of the UK at the moment. However, compared to other books like it (such as Posh Boys) I found myself bored and especially towards the end, just exhausted by it. It wasn't for me and with other books on this subject (and honestly better books on this subject), I'd rather read any of those over this one again.
radella_hardwick's review against another edition
informative
sad
4.0
It's seriously harrowing how clear the line from this boarding school syndrome to Johnson's behaviour as PM is.
notellawilliams's review
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
Really enjoyed this, however felt like a stream of consciousness with a similar tone throughout, despite being divided into themes. Some amazing takes, but not as great as I had hoped.