Sad little men : private schools and the ruin of England

**'Well written... everyone...should pick it up', __TLS__, 'Books of the Year'** **'The most important book I've read this year...the writing is magnetic' Adam Rutherford** **In 1975, as a child, Richard Beard was sent away from his home to sleep in a dormitory. So were Boris Johnson and David Cameron.** In those days a private boys' boarding school education was largely the same experience as it had been for generations: a training for the challenges of Empire. He 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. 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; clearly and unforgettably, it shows the problem with putting a succession of men from boarding schools into positions of influence, including 10 Downing Street. Is this who we want in charge, especially at a time of crisis? It is a passionate, tender reckoning - with one individual's past, but also with a national bad habit. **'Insanely readable and enjoyable' TOM HOLLAND, author of __Dominion__** **'Read this book' ALASTAIR CAMPBELL** 'the Most Important Book I've Read This Year...the Writing Is Magnetic' Adam Rutherford In 1975, As A Child, Richard Beard Was Sent Away From His Home To Sleep In A Dormitory. So Were David Cameron And Boris Johnson. In Those Days A Private Boys' Boarding School Education Was Largely The Same Experience As It Had Been For Generations: A Training For The Challenges Of Empire. He 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. 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; Clearly And Unforgettably, It Shows The Problem With Putting A Succession Of Men From Boarding Schools Into Positions Of Influence, Including 10 Downing Street. Is This Who We Want In Charge, Especially At A Time Of Crisis? It Is A Passionate, Tender Reckoning - With One Individual's Past, But Also With A National Bad Habit. 'insanely Readable And Enjoyable' - Tom Holland, Author Of Dominion "In 1975, as a child, Richard Beard was sent away from his home to sleep in a dormitory. So were David Cameron and Boris Johnson. In those days a private boys' boarding school education was largely the same experience as it had been for generations a training for the challenges of Empire. He 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. 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; clearly and unforgettably, it shows the problem with putting a succession of men from boarding schools into positions of influence, including 10 Downing Street. Is this who we want in charge, especially at a time of crisis? It is a passionate, tender reckoning with one individual's past, but also with a national bad habit"--Publisher's description 'Read this book' Alastair Campbell 'A really wonderful book' Nigella Lawson via Twitter In 1975 Richard Beard was sent away to boarding school. So were Boris Johnson and David Cameron. He didn't enjoy it. But the first and most important lesson was not to let that show. A public school education has long been accepted in Britain as a preparation for leadership, but being separated from your parents at a young age is traumatic. What sort of adult does it mould? Tackling debates about privilege head-on, Sad Little Men reveals what happens when you put a succession of men from boarding schools into positions of influence, including at 10 Downing Street, and asks the question: is this really who we want in charge? 'The most important book I've read this year' Adam Rutherford