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Tribes: A Search for Belonging in a Divided Society
David was the first black Briton to study at Harvard Law School and practised as a barrister before entering politics. He has served as the Member of Parliament for Tottenham since 2000. Today, David is one of Parliament's most prominent and successful campaigners for social justice. He led the campaign for Windrush British citizens to be granted British citizenship and has been at the forefront of the fight for justice for the families affected by the Grenfell Tower fire.
In 2007, inspired by the bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act and looking to explore his own African roots, David Lammy took a DNA test. Ostensibly he was a middle-aged husband & father, MP for Tottenham and a die-hard Spurs fan. But his nucleic acids revealed that he was 25% Tuareg tribe (Niger), 25% Temne tribe (Sierra Leone), 25% Bantu tribe (South Africa), with 5% traces of Celtic Scotland and a mishmash of other unidentified groups.
Both memoir and call-to-arms, Tribes explores both the benign and malign effects of our need to belong. How this need - genetically programmed and socially acquired - can manifest itself in positive ways, collaboratively achieving great things that individuals alone cannot. And yet how, in recent years, globalisation and digitisation have led to new, more pernicious kinds of tribalism. This book is a fascinating and perceptive analysis of not only the way the world works but also the way we really are.
In 2007, inspired by the bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act and looking to explore his own African roots, David Lammy took a DNA test. Ostensibly he was a middle-aged husband & father, MP for Tottenham and a die-hard Spurs fan. But his nucleic acids revealed that he was 25% Tuareg tribe (Niger), 25% Temne tribe (Sierra Leone), 25% Bantu tribe (South Africa), with 5% traces of Celtic Scotland and a mishmash of other unidentified groups.
Both memoir and call-to-arms, Tribes explores both the benign and malign effects of our need to belong. How this need - genetically programmed and socially acquired - can manifest itself in positive ways, collaboratively achieving great things that individuals alone cannot. And yet how, in recent years, globalisation and digitisation have led to new, more pernicious kinds of tribalism. This book is a fascinating and perceptive analysis of not only the way the world works but also the way we really are.
368 pages, Paperback
First published October 10, 2019
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October 19, 2024
I had no idea who David Lammy was until I picked this up. Now I know he was the MP for Tottenham.
Lammy starts this book by talking about DNA results he'd recently received and how those results could pinpoint the tribe of his ancestors (which he later finds out isn't exactly true). He then goes on to take a closer look at British culture in terms of tribes. The rich and poor, race, leave or remain, gender, pro migration or anti-immigration etc etc.
There's a lot of topics covered here, and some parts will really stick with me like why we view Barack Obama and Tiger Woods as Black (The first Black president / golf's top Black sportsman) when they are 50% white / Asian. Why England has no parliament, yet Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland do, and if England has its own parliament, would that be problematic in terms of the United Kingdom parliament (spoiler alert, yes).
This is as dry and long winded as you'd expect it to be (why would a politician use 5 words when they can use 50?), however Lammy is ultimately advocating for diversity and inclusion, and I can get behind that (if he can get over his fat phobia - there's some odd weight comments floating around this book).
Four stars.
Lammy starts this book by talking about DNA results he'd recently received and how those results could pinpoint the tribe of his ancestors (which he later finds out isn't exactly true). He then goes on to take a closer look at British culture in terms of tribes. The rich and poor, race, leave or remain, gender, pro migration or anti-immigration etc etc.
There's a lot of topics covered here, and some parts will really stick with me like why we view Barack Obama and Tiger Woods as Black (The first Black president / golf's top Black sportsman) when they are 50% white / Asian. Why England has no parliament, yet Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland do, and if England has its own parliament, would that be problematic in terms of the United Kingdom parliament (spoiler alert, yes).
This is as dry and long winded as you'd expect it to be (why would a politician use 5 words when they can use 50?), however Lammy is ultimately advocating for diversity and inclusion, and I can get behind that (if he can get over his fat phobia - there's some odd weight comments floating around this book).
Four stars.
July 6, 2020
Tribes by David Lammy promises much, delivers something, but ultimately fails to convince. Its problem lies in the very nature of its vision, not that this is wrong, misguided or anything less than laudable. This ultimate failure to convince, in fact, derives from the overall vision‘s inability to confront the very issues that the author identifies at the start.
David Lammy is a British politician, currently a member of Labour’s Shadow Cabinet. In Tribes he attempts to evaluate the political landscape, beginning with a theoretical analysis of why class and other grander identities have become fragmented into what might seem to be smaller, interest-led groupings that he calls ‘tribes’. Many readers might expect this analysis to be developed, but instead the author pursues a personal reflection on some of the ideas raised. And, as the book progresses, the context becomes more personal still, before a final section attempts its rational, credible and, given what preceded, impossible finale. The approach renders the book very readable, but less than satisfying after its promise of theoretical discussion.
The author is a remarkable man. He was born to a Guyanese immigrant family in north London’s Tottenham, brought up by a single mother and then attended the cathedral choir school in Peterborough. London University preceded Harvard Law School, where he became the first black British graduate. In Silicon Valley he became a lawyer and then was elected as a Member of Parliament on behalf of the Labour Party. And then he was a government minister. These are just a few of the facts of this brilliant man’s life – thus far! His wife is white and his children are mixed race, whatever that means, since we are all mixed race, if we are human.
But in a quest for identity of the type that seems to obsess modern people, David Lammy sought out a DNA analysis. The results suggested a mix of origins, one of which linked to the Tuareg of the west African Sahel. The author spends much time and resources researching this link and then, as far as possible, experiencing it at first hand. Though ultimately this association is revealed as tenuous at best, perhaps even illusory, the author’s willingness and enthusiasm to pursue it illustrates a point he makes early on in the book, that identity nowadays seems more strongly felt on a personal rather than group basis. Except, of course, where the group has the ability to bolster and confirm the personal.
David Lammy introduces Maffesoli’s concept of neo-tribes, communities of feeling, to identify a contemporary trend of seeing one’s own personal identity purely in terms of a group identity. Thus, rational approaches to certain issues which, by the nature, are universal, become devalued as neo-tribes develop their own internal values and explanations. It is the fact that these are identity-conferring minority positions that provides the focus for the neo-tribe identity. Fragmentation in our social, economic and religious life fosters the replacement of universalism. This is a crucial point.
A few pages on and David Lammy identifies practically how this behaviour, even propensity, has been exploited by the political Right. He cites two successful electoral slogans - “Make America Great Again” and “Take Back Control”, to which might be added “Get Brexit Done” - as examples of labels that brought success to campaigns by exploiting group fears above rational arguments, thus defeating rational analyses that recognized, or at least attempted to recognize, the true complexity of the issues discussed. The slogans denied this complexity and offered an illusion of simple solutions. David Lammy persuasively illustrates how these simple emotive but inaccurate messages prevailed over the complex, unclear, yet accurate counter argument.
Still in the introduction, he quotes a survey that claims almost two thirds of UK voters still believe the oft-falsified claim that the country sends 350 million pounds a week to the European Union. David Lammy follows this by stating that there still exists a group of deluded individuals who think that Arsenal are the best football team in north London. By way of balance, I will remind him that about thirty-five years ago the philosopher AJ Ayer wrote that it ought to be impossible for a logical positivist to support Tottenham Hotspur. Joking aside, the author thus illustrates that once accepted by a neo-tribe, a falsehood can retain its own internal illusion of truth.
But people do support Arsenal and others Tottenham. They can’t both be right if they assert they follow the ‘best’ team. From the internally accepted values from within the group, however, they can both be right. Even a moment after chanting “what a load of rubbish” at their own team, such a tribe would unite if the same sentiment were to be expressed by the opposition. Welcome to the Conservative Party, which is forever internally divided, but externally as united as Stalin’s allies, until purged, then largely silent. And who cares if the message is irrational, impossible, implausible or even irrelevant? The tribe will back it to exclude others. And it works.
There is much in Tribes that it is rational, clearly expressed, credible and heartfelt. It is a superb snapshot of where British politics and society now reside, precariously in opposing camps, ideologically armed, but often not agreeing on a language where debate might happen, where sensible question is usually answered by an irrelevant, unrelated positive soundbite.
The book’s overarching message, however, is flawed, since by the end we have returned to the necessity of acknowledging and recognizing the complexities of real issues. We must trust our rationality and engage in the politics of discussion and debate. Global problems need global solutions. Working in isolation will foster failure. Messy international cooperation and thus, effectively, globalization is the only way out of local problems. The difficulty with such a laudable, deliverable and sensible analysis, however, is that it fails, repeatedly, in the face of soundbite slogans that seek and achieve short-term, but identity-giving non-solutions. Remember Vote for Victory?
David Lammy is a British politician, currently a member of Labour’s Shadow Cabinet. In Tribes he attempts to evaluate the political landscape, beginning with a theoretical analysis of why class and other grander identities have become fragmented into what might seem to be smaller, interest-led groupings that he calls ‘tribes’. Many readers might expect this analysis to be developed, but instead the author pursues a personal reflection on some of the ideas raised. And, as the book progresses, the context becomes more personal still, before a final section attempts its rational, credible and, given what preceded, impossible finale. The approach renders the book very readable, but less than satisfying after its promise of theoretical discussion.
The author is a remarkable man. He was born to a Guyanese immigrant family in north London’s Tottenham, brought up by a single mother and then attended the cathedral choir school in Peterborough. London University preceded Harvard Law School, where he became the first black British graduate. In Silicon Valley he became a lawyer and then was elected as a Member of Parliament on behalf of the Labour Party. And then he was a government minister. These are just a few of the facts of this brilliant man’s life – thus far! His wife is white and his children are mixed race, whatever that means, since we are all mixed race, if we are human.
But in a quest for identity of the type that seems to obsess modern people, David Lammy sought out a DNA analysis. The results suggested a mix of origins, one of which linked to the Tuareg of the west African Sahel. The author spends much time and resources researching this link and then, as far as possible, experiencing it at first hand. Though ultimately this association is revealed as tenuous at best, perhaps even illusory, the author’s willingness and enthusiasm to pursue it illustrates a point he makes early on in the book, that identity nowadays seems more strongly felt on a personal rather than group basis. Except, of course, where the group has the ability to bolster and confirm the personal.
David Lammy introduces Maffesoli’s concept of neo-tribes, communities of feeling, to identify a contemporary trend of seeing one’s own personal identity purely in terms of a group identity. Thus, rational approaches to certain issues which, by the nature, are universal, become devalued as neo-tribes develop their own internal values and explanations. It is the fact that these are identity-conferring minority positions that provides the focus for the neo-tribe identity. Fragmentation in our social, economic and religious life fosters the replacement of universalism. This is a crucial point.
A few pages on and David Lammy identifies practically how this behaviour, even propensity, has been exploited by the political Right. He cites two successful electoral slogans - “Make America Great Again” and “Take Back Control”, to which might be added “Get Brexit Done” - as examples of labels that brought success to campaigns by exploiting group fears above rational arguments, thus defeating rational analyses that recognized, or at least attempted to recognize, the true complexity of the issues discussed. The slogans denied this complexity and offered an illusion of simple solutions. David Lammy persuasively illustrates how these simple emotive but inaccurate messages prevailed over the complex, unclear, yet accurate counter argument.
Still in the introduction, he quotes a survey that claims almost two thirds of UK voters still believe the oft-falsified claim that the country sends 350 million pounds a week to the European Union. David Lammy follows this by stating that there still exists a group of deluded individuals who think that Arsenal are the best football team in north London. By way of balance, I will remind him that about thirty-five years ago the philosopher AJ Ayer wrote that it ought to be impossible for a logical positivist to support Tottenham Hotspur. Joking aside, the author thus illustrates that once accepted by a neo-tribe, a falsehood can retain its own internal illusion of truth.
But people do support Arsenal and others Tottenham. They can’t both be right if they assert they follow the ‘best’ team. From the internally accepted values from within the group, however, they can both be right. Even a moment after chanting “what a load of rubbish” at their own team, such a tribe would unite if the same sentiment were to be expressed by the opposition. Welcome to the Conservative Party, which is forever internally divided, but externally as united as Stalin’s allies, until purged, then largely silent. And who cares if the message is irrational, impossible, implausible or even irrelevant? The tribe will back it to exclude others. And it works.
There is much in Tribes that it is rational, clearly expressed, credible and heartfelt. It is a superb snapshot of where British politics and society now reside, precariously in opposing camps, ideologically armed, but often not agreeing on a language where debate might happen, where sensible question is usually answered by an irrelevant, unrelated positive soundbite.
The book’s overarching message, however, is flawed, since by the end we have returned to the necessity of acknowledging and recognizing the complexities of real issues. We must trust our rationality and engage in the politics of discussion and debate. Global problems need global solutions. Working in isolation will foster failure. Messy international cooperation and thus, effectively, globalization is the only way out of local problems. The difficulty with such a laudable, deliverable and sensible analysis, however, is that it fails, repeatedly, in the face of soundbite slogans that seek and achieve short-term, but identity-giving non-solutions. Remember Vote for Victory?
December 26, 2020
A book that covers many different topics regarding identity and belonging with personal experiences mentioned. David describes how his life has led him to be a part of different tribes and how sometimes these overlap and even contradict each other. The first hand accounts were very personal and moving especially the trips to Peterborough and Niger.
December 18, 2020
Thought-provoking, enlightening and made me review some of my own previous thinking. Really enjoyed this and will be looking to read similar books in 2021.
February 2, 2025
I really enjoyed this book which despite reading over a long period of time, I was engaged enough to want to finish.
I decided to read the book in order to understand Lammy a bit better as he stepped into the foreign secretary role. Lammy is clearly an extremely intelligent and interested individual. His articulations of certain buzzwordy topics such as neoliberalism, colour blindness and populism were, on the whole, actually really interesting and useful for me in deepening my understanding. This is because Lammy writes with clarity (and use of examples) that made it easy for me (as someone that doesn’t and hasn’t read about politics in any serious way) to understand him.
I’m undecided yet whether I agree with Lammy’s (quite broad) reforms/ suggestions for meeting England and the UK’s current challenges. It was certainly nice to picture a hopeful future configuration of UK politics.
I decided to read the book in order to understand Lammy a bit better as he stepped into the foreign secretary role. Lammy is clearly an extremely intelligent and interested individual. His articulations of certain buzzwordy topics such as neoliberalism, colour blindness and populism were, on the whole, actually really interesting and useful for me in deepening my understanding. This is because Lammy writes with clarity (and use of examples) that made it easy for me (as someone that doesn’t and hasn’t read about politics in any serious way) to understand him.
I’m undecided yet whether I agree with Lammy’s (quite broad) reforms/ suggestions for meeting England and the UK’s current challenges. It was certainly nice to picture a hopeful future configuration of UK politics.
May 16, 2025
I feel like this book was more of a campaign to attract voters than a genuine treatise of Lammy’s beliefs since his words simply do not match up to his actions.
Lammy positions himself as a champion of equality and justice yet has absolutely failed to meet the mark in his political career, most notably his shockingly cowardly approach to clear issues including the current genocide in Gaza. If only he was as brave and committed to justice as he pretends to be in this book. England would be a better place.
Lammy positions himself as a champion of equality and justice yet has absolutely failed to meet the mark in his political career, most notably his shockingly cowardly approach to clear issues including the current genocide in Gaza. If only he was as brave and committed to justice as he pretends to be in this book. England would be a better place.
May 8, 2020
This not the book I expected it to be - having looked first at class and society, we moved to politics, ethics, local vs national community, what makes people people in a locality, policy and how to develop community and social bonds.
Took so many unexpected turns that I feel like this is several books in one - I didn't expect to be reading a book about political ethics and polity, even an overview of wealth and social economics. Glad I did!
Took so many unexpected turns that I feel like this is several books in one - I didn't expect to be reading a book about political ethics and polity, even an overview of wealth and social economics. Glad I did!
December 14, 2020
One of my reading goals for 2021 is to expand my knowledge of UK politics. Despite being British and living in the UK, I read more books about US politics and history, something that I am looking to change. I thought I’d start early by reading David Lammy’s latest book.
Discussing tribes, belonging, division and bipartisanship, Lammy uncovers his own family history and delves into policies and policy decisions being made in the UK today. There is of course discussion of Brexit and the rise of the far right, as well as trends around the world. David Lammy expresses his views in a calm and considered fashion, taking into account the other side’s views when appropriate and denouncing racism when speaking about some of the more radical groups.
The only negative I have is that the book felt quite long because of how densely written it is. The author packs a wealth of detail into every page which at times felt like a lot of information to take in.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it. It was interesting to hear from an elected official in the UK who was talking about facing our history of colonising countries around the world. This is something that should be discussed more and I’m glad it was included in this book.
4 out of 5 stars!
Discussing tribes, belonging, division and bipartisanship, Lammy uncovers his own family history and delves into policies and policy decisions being made in the UK today. There is of course discussion of Brexit and the rise of the far right, as well as trends around the world. David Lammy expresses his views in a calm and considered fashion, taking into account the other side’s views when appropriate and denouncing racism when speaking about some of the more radical groups.
The only negative I have is that the book felt quite long because of how densely written it is. The author packs a wealth of detail into every page which at times felt like a lot of information to take in.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it. It was interesting to hear from an elected official in the UK who was talking about facing our history of colonising countries around the world. This is something that should be discussed more and I’m glad it was included in this book.
4 out of 5 stars!
April 16, 2020
Brilliant articulation of our tribal climate. Drawing on concepts developed by academics and unique, enriching personal experiences Lammy provides a framework to identify how we got here and where to next. Great read and interesting to hear the perspectives and memoirs from an MP, definitely will add that extra layer of depth now when I see Lammy in the public spotlight.
December 16, 2025
I am an active member of the Labour Party and get out and about here in Monmouthshire, supporting election campaigns and attending the local Severnside branch meetings. I have been trying to get work with the Foreign Office for some time, and had applications ready to join there when I was halfway through a Translation degree at Cardiff University but unfortunately I didn’t complete that degree. I was tweeting David Lammy regularly and keeping close tabs on him during his time as Foreign Secretary. He has since moved to become Justice Secretary in the new Labour government. I saw him advertising this book and thought it would be a good idea to get to know a potential boss a bit better by reading it so I picked up ‘Tribes’ and have just completed reading it.
David identifies that there is a form of tribalism developing in society, affecting us politically. Tribes have always existed and the author identifies the different sort of tribes that people connect to, in order to justify their beliefs and history and interests in life, The writing of the book was triggered by David conducting a DNA gene test that identified his ancestors hailing from a variety of places: 25% Tuareg tribe in Fafa, Niger, 25% Temne tribe, Sierra Leone, 25% Bantu, South Africa and traces to Scottish DNA on his mother’s side. David decided to go on an investigative journey to discover his roots and in doing this he develops an autobiographical tale of his life and roots and uses the book to espouse political beliefs and ideas on how to improve society, with the book not aiming to an audience with any fixed political position. It is for the left-wing, the centre and the right.
David has led a colourful life. His parents whose ancestors were African slaves, who ended up in Guyana, Latin America, migrated to the United Kingdom as part of the Windrush generation. They settled in Tottenham, near to the Broadwater Farm estate where the 2011 riots so infamously kicked off. His working class background didn’t restrain his academic progress and David got accepted at a grammar school up in Peterborough as his journey through social mobility began. He was now mixing in school with middle England up in East Anglia I connected very much with this part of the book as I know Peterborough very well as my paternal grandparents retired there and I spent a lot of time visiting them up in Longthorpe which surprisingly gets a mention in Lammy’s book.
David went on to have a high-flying academic career, attending prestigious universities and working out in Los Angeles in a law firm. During this time he felt lonely and isolated and was taking the anti-depressant Prozac. I connected too with this part as I have had a very bad experience with Prozac and also the mental health system here in the U.K. and New Zealand. Prozac almost killed me and I still hold the GP who prescribed it as responsible for what happened to me back in my 20s. David was lucky in that he came off this medication. He settled into family life with a wife back in England and went into politics, becoming a rare Black MP in the Houses of Parliament, representing his home constituency in North London and the Labour Party.
I Won’t spoil the book by dishing out all the gory details and spoil your fun. Suffice it to say that the story is easy to follow and well-written. We journey from England through to darkest Africa and David is always questioning tribalism and division and especially race, slavery and social justice. He is in a privileged position due to his broad journey through life and his erudite manner in recounting personal stories and constructing in the most simplest terms, rational arguments and politically-fired arguments that will guarantee to sway your belief system, however much you may prejudge or think you know the topics in question or the man, David Lammy. I think he was very frank and revealing on some very personal philosophies and the honesty in the writing shines through and makes it a highly recommendable book to read.
PS. I f you happen to read this, Mr. Lammy, I do hope Liverpool smash Tottenham on the weekend. #ynwa The Reds are my football tribe! https://gerrardthered.com
David identifies that there is a form of tribalism developing in society, affecting us politically. Tribes have always existed and the author identifies the different sort of tribes that people connect to, in order to justify their beliefs and history and interests in life, The writing of the book was triggered by David conducting a DNA gene test that identified his ancestors hailing from a variety of places: 25% Tuareg tribe in Fafa, Niger, 25% Temne tribe, Sierra Leone, 25% Bantu, South Africa and traces to Scottish DNA on his mother’s side. David decided to go on an investigative journey to discover his roots and in doing this he develops an autobiographical tale of his life and roots and uses the book to espouse political beliefs and ideas on how to improve society, with the book not aiming to an audience with any fixed political position. It is for the left-wing, the centre and the right.
David has led a colourful life. His parents whose ancestors were African slaves, who ended up in Guyana, Latin America, migrated to the United Kingdom as part of the Windrush generation. They settled in Tottenham, near to the Broadwater Farm estate where the 2011 riots so infamously kicked off. His working class background didn’t restrain his academic progress and David got accepted at a grammar school up in Peterborough as his journey through social mobility began. He was now mixing in school with middle England up in East Anglia I connected very much with this part of the book as I know Peterborough very well as my paternal grandparents retired there and I spent a lot of time visiting them up in Longthorpe which surprisingly gets a mention in Lammy’s book.
David went on to have a high-flying academic career, attending prestigious universities and working out in Los Angeles in a law firm. During this time he felt lonely and isolated and was taking the anti-depressant Prozac. I connected too with this part as I have had a very bad experience with Prozac and also the mental health system here in the U.K. and New Zealand. Prozac almost killed me and I still hold the GP who prescribed it as responsible for what happened to me back in my 20s. David was lucky in that he came off this medication. He settled into family life with a wife back in England and went into politics, becoming a rare Black MP in the Houses of Parliament, representing his home constituency in North London and the Labour Party.
I Won’t spoil the book by dishing out all the gory details and spoil your fun. Suffice it to say that the story is easy to follow and well-written. We journey from England through to darkest Africa and David is always questioning tribalism and division and especially race, slavery and social justice. He is in a privileged position due to his broad journey through life and his erudite manner in recounting personal stories and constructing in the most simplest terms, rational arguments and politically-fired arguments that will guarantee to sway your belief system, however much you may prejudge or think you know the topics in question or the man, David Lammy. I think he was very frank and revealing on some very personal philosophies and the honesty in the writing shines through and makes it a highly recommendable book to read.
PS. I f you happen to read this, Mr. Lammy, I do hope Liverpool smash Tottenham on the weekend. #ynwa The Reds are my football tribe! https://gerrardthered.com
July 13, 2024
An unintentionally topical read, since Lammy became Foreign Secretary midway through my perusal of this book!
Results of a DNA test start Lammy on an exploration of his roots, of the impact that our sense of belonging and background has on our identity, and of the positive and negative aspects arising from this. He illustrates many of his points with anecdotes from his own life and that of his family and friends, and these personal stories were perhaps the most moving and interesting parts of the book.
I found the earlier parts of the book very engaging. Lammy is clear about the beneficial results that come from having a sense of 'rootedness', while also raising awareness of the divisions and suspicions that arise from excessive 'tribalism'.
Unfortunately, the book seemed to 'lose its way' after that. He spends a lot of time talking about the problems of division and tribalism without really producing any concrete solutions. He is also incredibly sloppy in some of his writing. At one point he claims that "UK governments have worked hard to promote Britishness, as well as Welshness, Scottishness, and Northern Irishness, but Englishness has been somewhat forgotten." He complains that using 'British' when you really mean 'English' is a sign of "eradicating the last remnants of acceptable English identity". Which is laughable, considering the number of times he uses 'English' and 'British' interchangeably (something that is widespread elsewhere too - it's an unusual week when I don't read, see or hear an English person referring to 'British' when they really mean English, as if Wales and Scotland were just some kind of 'optional extra'!) Later in the book, when describing 'English values', he presents the NHS as being a prime example of England's sense of 'fair play'. So the man who objects to other people referring to the English football team as British is quite happy to refer to the healthcare system which was set up by a Welshman as English Somewhat hypocritical, methinks.
He also goes off on a bit of a rant about bringing back compulsory National Service, complaining that only 500,000 young people have taken part in the voluntary National Citizen Service. "Without compulsion, there is no obligation. And without obligation, there is no duty." This completely ignores the many young people who spend countless hours volunteering with local charities and community groups outside of the NCS. And who do so under no compulsion, but simply because they want to give back to society. It's appalling arrogance for Lammy to dismiss all this voluntary work simply because it isn't carried out through his preferred organisation.
If it weren't for that section on 'Rebuilding England' I would have rated this at 4 stars. It's a good read, but if you take my advice, you'll skip that chapter!
Results of a DNA test start Lammy on an exploration of his roots, of the impact that our sense of belonging and background has on our identity, and of the positive and negative aspects arising from this. He illustrates many of his points with anecdotes from his own life and that of his family and friends, and these personal stories were perhaps the most moving and interesting parts of the book.
I found the earlier parts of the book very engaging. Lammy is clear about the beneficial results that come from having a sense of 'rootedness', while also raising awareness of the divisions and suspicions that arise from excessive 'tribalism'.
Unfortunately, the book seemed to 'lose its way' after that. He spends a lot of time talking about the problems of division and tribalism without really producing any concrete solutions. He is also incredibly sloppy in some of his writing. At one point he claims that "UK governments have worked hard to promote Britishness, as well as Welshness, Scottishness, and Northern Irishness, but Englishness has been somewhat forgotten." He complains that using 'British' when you really mean 'English' is a sign of "eradicating the last remnants of acceptable English identity". Which is laughable, considering the number of times he uses 'English' and 'British' interchangeably (something that is widespread elsewhere too - it's an unusual week when I don't read, see or hear an English person referring to 'British' when they really mean English, as if Wales and Scotland were just some kind of 'optional extra'!) Later in the book, when describing 'English values', he presents the NHS as being a prime example of England's sense of 'fair play'. So the man who objects to other people referring to the English football team as British is quite happy to refer to the healthcare system which was set up by a Welshman as English Somewhat hypocritical, methinks.
He also goes off on a bit of a rant about bringing back compulsory National Service, complaining that only 500,000 young people have taken part in the voluntary National Citizen Service. "Without compulsion, there is no obligation. And without obligation, there is no duty." This completely ignores the many young people who spend countless hours volunteering with local charities and community groups outside of the NCS. And who do so under no compulsion, but simply because they want to give back to society. It's appalling arrogance for Lammy to dismiss all this voluntary work simply because it isn't carried out through his preferred organisation.
If it weren't for that section on 'Rebuilding England' I would have rated this at 4 stars. It's a good read, but if you take my advice, you'll skip that chapter!
August 26, 2021
This was a recommendation from LibraryThing user, SandDune.
David Lammy is the Labour M.P. For Tottenham in London, on the shadow cabinet and of late one of the most distinctive and strongest voices in the UK Labour party. He was the first black Briton to go to Harvard Law School, obtained his Master of Laws in 1997 and is a practiced as a barrister. This all despite coming from working class roots, the son of West Indian immigrants.
In tribes he argues that people have a natural tendency to search for belonging, and this is being subverted in modern society to the detriment of us all. He doesn't advocate creating of tribes exactly, but has a lot of good stuff to say about in-group and out-group behaviours, and then explores how identities can be created and how they don't have to be exclusive.
He says, for instance, that he is a Tottenham supporter, but this does not make him less English. He argues for an inclusive sense of belonging which would be a positive in society, rather than allowing the kind of exclusive tribalism that is tearing us apart.
He had a lot of good things to say and this book really is a must read, even though I found some areas of disagreement. The author's own experience with institutional and casual racism, and his own description of his feeling of belonging and being English provide powerful personal insights. His arguments are thoughtful and considered and should not be dismissed lightly.
Early on in the book he describes taking an ancestry DNA test and discovering a genetic identgity matching an African tribal people. He describes how he went to find these people and discover his lost African roots. I had issues with this when I read it, because these ancestry tests are selling nonsense when they suggest that ancestry can be pinpointed in this way, and for much of the book, I expected it would be a major fault I would pick up in this review. Except the author beat me to it. In a wonderfully honest piece of writing, he tells how he had the chance to speak to some geneticists about theses tests, describes the geneticists' caution and downright annoyance at what the testers are complaining and then how they all had a good laugh when Lammy took out the pictures of him being initiated into his tribe.
It was brilliant because by busting his own bubble in this way, this book made it so much more clear about the limits of these ancestry tests and the danger of trying to find belonging in people groups that have largely gone away.
All in all a very good book.
David Lammy is the Labour M.P. For Tottenham in London, on the shadow cabinet and of late one of the most distinctive and strongest voices in the UK Labour party. He was the first black Briton to go to Harvard Law School, obtained his Master of Laws in 1997 and is a practiced as a barrister. This all despite coming from working class roots, the son of West Indian immigrants.
In tribes he argues that people have a natural tendency to search for belonging, and this is being subverted in modern society to the detriment of us all. He doesn't advocate creating of tribes exactly, but has a lot of good stuff to say about in-group and out-group behaviours, and then explores how identities can be created and how they don't have to be exclusive.
He says, for instance, that he is a Tottenham supporter, but this does not make him less English. He argues for an inclusive sense of belonging which would be a positive in society, rather than allowing the kind of exclusive tribalism that is tearing us apart.
He had a lot of good things to say and this book really is a must read, even though I found some areas of disagreement. The author's own experience with institutional and casual racism, and his own description of his feeling of belonging and being English provide powerful personal insights. His arguments are thoughtful and considered and should not be dismissed lightly.
Early on in the book he describes taking an ancestry DNA test and discovering a genetic identgity matching an African tribal people. He describes how he went to find these people and discover his lost African roots. I had issues with this when I read it, because these ancestry tests are selling nonsense when they suggest that ancestry can be pinpointed in this way, and for much of the book, I expected it would be a major fault I would pick up in this review. Except the author beat me to it. In a wonderfully honest piece of writing, he tells how he had the chance to speak to some geneticists about theses tests, describes the geneticists' caution and downright annoyance at what the testers are complaining and then how they all had a good laugh when Lammy took out the pictures of him being initiated into his tribe.
It was brilliant because by busting his own bubble in this way, this book made it so much more clear about the limits of these ancestry tests and the danger of trying to find belonging in people groups that have largely gone away.
All in all a very good book.
August 25, 2025
Personal and universal, funny and tragic, frustrated and optimistic. A very flowing narrative in which the now Foreign Secretary lays out the genuine issues facing society and some of the innovative, civic ways that they can be achieved.
I like that he has reserved praise for ideological opponents (e.g. Michael Heseltin) and dished out criticism to friends (e.g. Richard Curtis) and Labour colleagues, in an effort to emphasise the need to move beyond party tribalism that can ultimately plunge overall society into an ego-driven mess as opposed to something achieved via dialogue, compromise and cooperation.
From a political standpoint I admire his endorsement of 'encounter culture', utilising citizens' assemblies and devolving powers more from Parliament. I hope this can become more evident in Government policy in months to come because it is becoming clear that growth alone will not bring societal unity. I think the one thing he fails to endorse is the possibility of a four-day weekend that would allow more time for civic engagement, is proven not to harm productivity and help the world of work adapt to further automation shortcuts while keeping people in employment.
I like that he has reserved praise for ideological opponents (e.g. Michael Heseltin) and dished out criticism to friends (e.g. Richard Curtis) and Labour colleagues, in an effort to emphasise the need to move beyond party tribalism that can ultimately plunge overall society into an ego-driven mess as opposed to something achieved via dialogue, compromise and cooperation.
From a political standpoint I admire his endorsement of 'encounter culture', utilising citizens' assemblies and devolving powers more from Parliament. I hope this can become more evident in Government policy in months to come because it is becoming clear that growth alone will not bring societal unity. I think the one thing he fails to endorse is the possibility of a four-day weekend that would allow more time for civic engagement, is proven not to harm productivity and help the world of work adapt to further automation shortcuts while keeping people in employment.
August 20, 2022
I generally liked the book and the MP's journey through his own personal identities and "tribes." But I have to admit that it was a slow read. I think the author could have more strongly organised his chapters, approach, build up his thesis, and not be so general in many of his thoughts. I realise as a sitting MP he doesn't wish to be too controversial, perhaps, but (I don't know if real life can have a spoiler...) his reveal at the end about his DNA test really could have served as a stronger point in the middle of the book, to then thread through the rest of the book. The author does spend a lot of time talking about English identity, which I do struggle to recognise (I have no problem with Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish identities, but it always seems weird to have a strong English identity, as opposed to British identity ... and I can't explain why! So fair play to the author). As I say, it's a bit scattershot in organisation, but it does give some food for through about our various identities in this world, both political and cultural.
February 7, 2024
A thoughtful and comprehensive analysis of where we are as a society in the UK in the 2020s. David identifies 21st century tribalism in Britain and the US effectively and eloquently speaks to a range of social issues. However there are several contradictions: his stated membership of the Church of England seems to have no impact on his support for redefining marriage and undermines his claim to be against the populism that fuels tribalism. He conveniently ignores the complexity of identities in Northern Ireland, making the flawed assumption all there can simply put aside their ethnic identity and unite under the label "Northern Irish". He also compares Northern Ireland, mistakenly, as an equal "nation" to England and Scotland when it is a very different political entity. At times the impression is given of someone who rather enjoys the sound of their own voice a little too much (not uncommon among elite politicians). Nonetheless, his ideas of civic as against ethnic nationalism are valid and worth considering and promoting.
February 17, 2021
This outstanding book is unusual in honestly confronting so many of the UK’s most serious societal challenges and their underlying causes. The research is excellent the reasoning is sound. Most importantly David Lammy has the courage to provide missing, often vital, context which must inevitably be acknowledged, to commence
healing the deepening and dangerous divisions in our society. David outlines many bold proposals which collectively could trigger a reimagining our the nation’s future and restore our country’s status once more to that of a beacon. This book is a major step forward in acknowledging the nation’s biggest, most complex and interrelated challenges. It stops short of discussing how we now progress to agreeing specific goals and priorities and development of a delivery programme. I can’t wait to hear more.
healing the deepening and dangerous divisions in our society. David outlines many bold proposals which collectively could trigger a reimagining our the nation’s future and restore our country’s status once more to that of a beacon. This book is a major step forward in acknowledging the nation’s biggest, most complex and interrelated challenges. It stops short of discussing how we now progress to agreeing specific goals and priorities and development of a delivery programme. I can’t wait to hear more.
July 24, 2021
This is an interesting analysis of what divides and connects us. It describes Lammy’s journey having done a ‘gene test’ to see what his ‘racial/geographical’ roots are…(for a small part)
I disagreed with him about pubs, football and his suggested ‘compulsory national citizenship service’ for teens but I don’t mind that.
Politics, economics, racism and history are covered. As are class, identity and financial disparity.
One of my issues though was that he doesn’t offer many answers or strong conclusions. He ends with an idealogical aim but doesn’t accept how things are or how practically people can be less ‘tribal’ or if that’s even possible.
It’s well referenced and an intelligent, enlightening read but I’d suggest not jus accepting it all as gospel.
Recommend if you have an interest.
I disagreed with him about pubs, football and his suggested ‘compulsory national citizenship service’ for teens but I don’t mind that.
Politics, economics, racism and history are covered. As are class, identity and financial disparity.
One of my issues though was that he doesn’t offer many answers or strong conclusions. He ends with an idealogical aim but doesn’t accept how things are or how practically people can be less ‘tribal’ or if that’s even possible.
It’s well referenced and an intelligent, enlightening read but I’d suggest not jus accepting it all as gospel.
Recommend if you have an interest.
September 16, 2021
It was good without being spectacular. I've been a fan of Lammy for a while now and enjoy hearing him speak on podcasts and in general. Lammy's personal experiences are interesting and add a certain necessary depth to the book. I recognise how he as a prominent MP of colour in a mixed race marriage is clearly an important voice in this area.
However, I'd argue it doesn't really say anything new.
Also, if I had a pound for every book I'd read that referenced Fukiyama's "End of History" I'd have considerably more money to buy books. Can editors just call a moratorium on quoting said book, it just fills unnecessary space now, I'm sure most people understand what he was aiming for.
However, I'd argue it doesn't really say anything new.
Also, if I had a pound for every book I'd read that referenced Fukiyama's "End of History" I'd have considerably more money to buy books. Can editors just call a moratorium on quoting said book, it just fills unnecessary space now, I'm sure most people understand what he was aiming for.
October 11, 2021
In general, David Lammy seems to me to be one of the good guys, and parts of this book, when he reflected on his personal experiences, were engaging and enjoyable. However I felt his theory about the importance of tribes was not really strong enough to carry the weight of the many different topics and policy ideas he wanted to explore. He did, unlike many political writers, recognise that policy and law are now radically different in England than in other parts of the UK. His theory that the Brexit vote can be partially explained by the lack of an English devolved parliament is an interesting one and deserves further exploration.
May 21, 2021
I was excited to read this as I really respect David Lammy and his approach to politics and being an MP. In Tribes he takes an interesting perspective on community, advocating for a Britain that governs at a local level but towards a common national goal. He explores the pitfalls that we fall into currently and a route to avoiding these. 3 stars because I did feel at time his ideas were idealistic rather than realistic, and ignore the problem of getting people reinvested in the importance of investing time into our communities in the first place.
January 15, 2023
Starts well with a broad and empathetic analysis of identity. I feel we got a little lost in parts with Lammy's call for the return of compulsory national service in the belief that it would restore a sense of responsibility. The idea that young people benefit from speaking to elderly people because they can provide "financial advice" is completely and utterly tone deaf to the struggles of young people today. All in all: a thoughtful book with some fun personal stories and a great message of embracing our differences while promoting togetherness.
August 15, 2020
A thoughtful discussion of the logic of tribalism, its dangers, and strategies for uniting people across tribes. Lammy is a longtime MP in Britain, and shares his experience as someone who has achieved majority-culture success without losing the special insights of growing up English as the child of immigrants. Wonderful book.
June 10, 2020
I have historically felt anger towards David Lammy "ranting about racism ". I have identified my "subtle " racism born out of my lifes journey. I wanted to look at it. Lammy has great insight, is not a racist but an educated decent Englishman. A great read
January 8, 2021
Lots of good common sense, as usual, from Lanny.
A bit lacking on solutions but his analysis of the problems is so acute that it would be amazing if the solutions were also all there.
He does come across as overly religious but is good at admitting his own mistakes.
A bit lacking on solutions but his analysis of the problems is so acute that it would be amazing if the solutions were also all there.
He does come across as overly religious but is good at admitting his own mistakes.
January 16, 2022
So good in the majority of places but at times read a bit too much like a parliamentary speech on why he would be the correct nomination for pm. Despite that felt it was very good in most areas and also the points were invaluable.
October 16, 2022
Cast light on an important issue for all of us. Some things I already agreed with, some new things and perspectives, and some things I didn't agree with but made me think hard. I also found it very readable. Well worth reading.
March 5, 2020
Comes across as a 3rd rate political pamphlet. Obviously has a political axe to grind, and the content is pretty predictable. Became bored and gave up.
July 20, 2020
Excellent content, average execution. It needed an assertive development editor and two more rounds of proofreading at the very least.
August 22, 2020
Thought provoking. I thought it was balanced but others may feel it reflects his politics.
October 20, 2020
Good book
Good book well written enjoyed every moment of reading this book challenging but thought provoking made me think outside the box.
Good book well written enjoyed every moment of reading this book challenging but thought provoking made me think outside the box.
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