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How to Be a Patriot
- Author
- Sunder Katwala
- Narrator
- Sunder Katwala
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Publishers
- Publish Date
- 15 June 2023
- Run Time
- 7 hours 17 minutes
- Format
- x-book®
What to expect
How to be a Patriot offers a new way of understanding our collective identity in a country wracked by division and brimming with markers of selfhood – faith, race, gender, age, sexuality.
Sunder Katwala himself grew up with some questions to work through. As a half-Indian, Irish Catholic child of the NHS, the chequered history of post-imperial Britain seemed very personal to him, but he realised that with that background he could hardly be anything but British, and proud of it too.
His timely and clear-eyed analysis seeks to navigate the many crises of this increasingly disunited kingdom: extremism and integration after 7/7; fear of immigration and the deep divides of Brexit; the resurgence of online racism; and the debate over our cultural heritage. Equipped with a nuanced understanding of the subject and a wealth of supporting data, he sets out to foster a more open and tolerant society: one that welcomes alternative ideas and cultures rather than shutting them out.
Ultimately, How to be a Patriot is a rousing story of lives lived together and shared values. Far from being divisive, it concludes, an inclusive and confident patriotism is a reminder that our differences need not define us.
Critics Review
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‘Excellent. Katwala is an elegant and exuberant writer. This lovely book is both polemic and user’s manual.’ The Spectator
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‘Eloquent and engaging.’ TLS
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‘A really great read about how we can have an open and inclusive patriotism.’ Baroness Sayeeda Warsi
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‘Really, really thought-provoking and nuanced. I suggest that anyone with an interest in the future of this country should read it.’ Nihal Arthanayake
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‘Well-written, thought-provoking and insightful in its analysis, How to Be a Patriot is essential reading.’ Nick Thomas-Symonds
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‘This important book is predominantly about searching for common ground.’ Eric Kaufmann, Literary Review
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‘Fantastic. I’ve been waiting for a Sunder Katwala book.’ Geoff Lloyd, Reasons to be Cheerful
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'Calm, sensible, and challenging. Sunder shows that a more united, more tolerant Britain is possible, but that it it needs to be created.' Joel Budd, The Economist
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‘Ever my go-to guy when trying to make sense of this ferociously polarised issue.’ Tom Holland
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‘Sunder Katwala has helped to lead the public conversation on national identity.' David Lammy MP
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‘There are few better judges of the state of the national debate. Landmark.’ Daniel Finkelstein
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‘Wide ranging, wise and humane. Fizzing with energy, ideas and passion.’ Rob Ford, author of Brexitland
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‘Deeply persuasive. … Katwala deals with reality rather than caricatures.’ Jewish Chronicle
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‘Compelling and passionate. Truly insightful.’ Bobby Duffy, author of The Generation Divide
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‘Excellent, thought-provoking and wise.’ Colin Yeo, author of Welcome to Britain
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Details
- Author
- Sunder Katwala
- Narrator
- Sunder Katwala
- Duration
- 7 hours 17 minutes
- Release Date
- 15 June 2023
- ISBN
- 9780008553883
- Format
- x-book®
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Publishers
- Genre
- Ethnic groups and multicultural studies, Social and ethical issues, Social or cultural Integration and assimilation, Politics and government, Social and cultural history
Synopsis
How do we define patriotism in a diverse society? What divides us and what brings us together? Why do we feel uncomfortable celebrating our country’s history? How to be a Patriot offers a new way of understanding our collective identity in a country wracked by division and brimming with markers of selfhood – faith, race, gender, age, sexuality. Sunder Katwala himself grew up with some questions to work through. As a half-Indian, Irish Catholic child of the NHS, the chequered history of post-imperial Britain seemed very personal to him, but he realised that with that background he could hardly be anything but British, and proud of it too. His timely and clear-eyed analysis seeks to navigate the many crises of this increasingly disunited kingdom: extremism and integration after 7/7; fear of immigration and the deep divides of Brexit; the resurgence of online racism; and the debate over our cultural heritage. Equipped with a nuanced understanding of the subject and a wealth of supporting data, he sets out to foster a more open and tolerant society: one that welcomes alternative ideas and cultures rather than shutting them out. Ultimately, How to be a Patriot is a rousing story of lives lived together and shared values. Far from being divisive, it concludes, an inclusive and confident patriotism is a reminder that our differences need not define us.
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