Fractured

Name: Fractured
Brand: Harper UK
Availability: InStock
Author: Jon Yates
ISBN: 9780008463984

Author: Jon Yates

Narrator: Sid Sagar

Unabridged: 10 hr 8 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: HarperNorth

Published: 06/10/2021

Categories: Nonfiction, Political Science, Social Science, Sociology, Social Classes & Economic Disparity, Public Policy, Psychology

Synopsis

‘An urgent manifesto for collective healing.’ David Lammy MP This landmark book tackles a deceptively simple idea: the more we spend time with people unlike ourselves, doing things together, the more understanding, tolerant, and even friendly we become. Combining fresh analysis with a wealth of fascinating examples, Jon Yates demonstrates the ways in which our societies have become disconnected, so that most of us spend less and less time with people who are different — as defined by age, race, or class, earning power or education. By answering a series of surprising questions, Yates reveals a set of truths that will change the way you think about yourself and those around you. What unites the England football team, the iPod and Singapore? How did a city that funded its schools the least become the best place to grow up poor? How did Silicon Valley come from nowhere to dominate the tech industry? How did a village of Italian-Americans become incredibly healthy while smoking cigars, drinking red wine and never exercising? And why is talking to our friends about politics the worst thing we can do for our democracy? Fractured For the health of our democracy, our society, and our economy, the time to act is now.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Laura on August 14, 2021

I've given this book 3 stars because it is very well written but I have to confess that I didn't finish it. It's a powerful polemic about how society has become more divided and how we need to re-establish a stronger sense of community, what Jon Yates calls "Common Life". His evidence on how this ha......more

Goodreads review by Daniel on December 25, 2021

A rather shallow approach to a very important topic of our time. Arguments are simplistic and repetitive and the proposed solutions are more of the "common sense" type (local community projects, more time dedicated to social participation, etc.), rather than systemic public policy ideas. However, th......more

Goodreads review by Zak on December 31, 2023

Tightly argued and compelling diagnosis of the problem and the cause. Slightly less clear that the proposed solutions are sufficient to meet the weight of the challenge, but it's a start.......more

Goodreads review by Rog on July 08, 2021

I watched an on-line talk by the author which led me to buy a copy of his book. It's a fascinating read about how modern society is becoming more divided. I am not quite sure that I agreed with all the author's conclusions but this is definitely worth a read.......more

Goodreads review by anna on August 09, 2021

(TLDR: Singaporeans to read the list of 32 actions and start doing something now.) I find this book really dry and a very long read with all the research data to set the context, but understand that it is essential if readers do not have background or knowledge in social policy. If you are familiar......more

Quotes

‘Yates brings together some remarkable stories to help us think about a Common Life. Offers practical and provocative ideas.’ , Archbishop of Canterbury ‘Perceptive and timely … not only diagnoses our societal ills, but offers an easily digestible prescription. I finished this book with my optimism restored, and you will too.’ , author of ‘Yates is the British heir to the great US sociologist Robert Putnam; his book should be our , a text that everyone in politics should be reading and digesting.’ ‘Yates’s thoroughly researched book lends the subject renewed urgency by showing how rifts in society may be undermining our health, democracy and security.’ ‘ marshals evidence that societal segregation is imposing significant costs. … Mr Yates is doing his bit [to solve that] … Intriguing ideas.’ ‘Deeply wise, meditative, timely and practical. The book fizzles and crackles along and in no time at all you will be at the end, reading about 32 ways to improve your, and everyone else’s lives. Act on #32 and buy this book, right now.’ ‘This is the post-pandemic manifesto we need. Vividly written, with a clear diagnosis and specific proposals for overcoming our ills, it is also a challenge to the intellectual status quo.’ , author of ‘ is a very welcome source of stories, insights and practical proposals. If you want to really think about the issue of division, this is a book for you.’ , Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation ‘A beautiful and wise book.’