The State of Us: The good news and the bad news about our society

by Jon Snow

It is rare in history that so many nations in the developed world are in crisis at the same time. There has been a disintegration of trust in political leaders and in the media that holds them to account. For all the progress humankind has made, for all the inventions and new technologies, our society is being undermined by inequality. We should care not simply because of its impact on productivity and growth, but because it's wrong. It's wrong that some don't have enough money to eat whilst others fly wagyu beef halfway across the planet for a couple of amusing mouthfuls. It's wrong that there are council residents unable to safely escape their homes if they catch fire. To fix it, we must begin by seeking out the truth about our world. In The State of Us , Jon Snow traces how the life of the nation has changed across his five-decade career, from getting thrown out of university for protesting apartheid to interviewing every prime minister since Margaret Thatcher. In doing so, he shows how the greatest problems at home and abroad so often come down to inequality and an unwillingness to confront it. But that is not our fate. Despite the challenges, Snow has witnessed profound social progress. In this passionate rallying cry, he argues that at its best, journalism reflects not just who we are now, but who we can be. We've had enough of division; the future is for us.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Audiobook, Journalism, Current Affairs

272 pages, Hardcover

Published June 1, 2023

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting book looking at the author's career and also looking at society and its inequality and discussing various subjects and makes you think about modern society

[Graham Pryor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is more about Jon Snow than his book, since the book is Snow’s very own personal account of the state of our society.
To start, he identifies inequality as being at the root of our problems, dwelling particularly on the Grenfell fire, its causes and the aftermath, as symptomatic of society’s ills. The second half of the book is the story of his experiences as a journalist, where he is able to cite real instances within and beyond his profession, of privilege, entitlement and the ownership of opportunity as being the defining dynamics of society.
Snow repeatedly refers to his own privileged background to draw comparisons with the less privileged, and to show how deeply Britain is still divided by class, the system particularly fed by the public school system. A product of public school himself, but (page 70) academically inadequate, he demonstrates that to get on in life in Britain it matters more where you went to school/university than how gifted you are.
Extraordinarily, given his broad experience of life at home and abroad, Snow’s view of society seemed strangely naive. For example, he was profuse in his praise of the BBC as a reliable and impartial provider of accurate news, which led me to consider he has never watched BBCScotland, which is rigorous in its negative reporting on anything and anyone desiring Scottish independence. I found some moments of scepticism in his observations but an absence of cynicism. He has a profound belief in the goodness of humanity and, as a declared optimist, anticipates a great future. He believes that “community is everything”, a direct reflection I believe of his own transition out of a sequestered childhood and adolescence, which he enjoyed as a kind of epiphany. In all, I was left with the feeling that here is a thoroughly decent man; but therein lies the flaw in this book. It could have done with a dash of wickedness to make him more likeable.

[Josh Allaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simply OUTSTANDING book!

Jon Snow brilliantly outlines the major issues of society in a very objective but optimistic way, but also gives his opinion and experiences through his years as a journalist and TV reporter.

The first part of the book outlines the inequalities faced in British society, through the outlets of the Grenfell Tower disaster, wealth and class inequality, the housing crisis, Brexit and the economic crisis, and the Iraq war. Snow beautifully delivers the emotion and deep complexity of each subject. The book is partly autobiographical, with Snow detailing how his opinions on inequality through his experiences in life and work.

The second part of the book advocates for the use of journalism as a tool for the public to understand the inequalities in society, and to pressure governments to act upon them. He also advocates for diversity in journalism as a way to ensure that the media remains unbiased, and therefore the public remains informed about all issues, in the hope of them lobbying solutions.

To conclude, this book is a must-read for anyone looking to understand society, and hekp to build a better future. 5/5, would probs give it more if I could.

[Louie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had got it for my ma as she likes Jon Snow.

Part biography, part liberal manifesto about inequality. Snow writes well and poignantly about the tragedy of Grenfell and his own personal connection to it.

The chapter on war focusing on the Iraq War and his relationship with Alistair Campbell was interesting but then I lost interest where he talks about press freedoms pointing the finger at Iran, Russia and China, without any mention about Julian Assange etc.

Snow also mentions Brexit as a great mistake and claims that if the population had been better educated then they would never have voted for Brexit , and the referendum should never have gone ahead in the first place as the British electorate weren’t prepared/educated enough. Snow talks a lot about British democracy and tackling inequality but then refuses to accept the democratic decision of the British people, essentially calling them stupid.

Ultimately Snow’s liberal analysis of the Britain is completely contradictory.

[David Lowther · Rating 5 out of 5]

A totally honest and wonderfully written assessment of Britain today by the best news anchorman in the business.
Jon Snow is a man of honesty and great integrity. Whilst he may be opposed to a politician’s policies, he always tried to establish a sensible working relationship with any he interviewed, Mrs Thatcher for example. The result was he nearly always got at the truth. It’s not been as easy in recent years with the current government mob unable to spot the truth if it smacked them in the face.
Jon Snow’s book is essentially about inequality from the Grenfell Tower tragedy to the present government’s treatment of asylum seekers.
A fine book by a great broadcaster.

David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War and The Summer of ‘39, all published by Sacristy Press.

[Neil Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a little tricky deciding if this is a biography or a thesis. It works best doing the latter although it's nice to get some small insights into Snow's life.
I was definitely left with the impression we've missed out on hearing his views thanks to his role as a newsreader and I hope we get to see more of his activism. He has strong views but approaches the solutions with optimism in a way that's refreshing in what feels like a polarised world.
I'm sure others may find his ideas a bit too simple but I appreciated how to the point they were. I think it's a great entry point for some of the ideas put forward that people can explore further, if interested/inspired.

I like this side of Jon Snow and makes for an interesting new career post newsreader.

[Autumn Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was not my usual read but ultimately it was very informative. There were some sad aspects that were reports of the truth but although there were sad explanations iverall there was an undertone of hope.

I feel like my eyes have been opened to so many issues abd parts of history that I was not aware of. I would highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to know more about the society we live in. To learn about inequality and all its formats as well as journalism and the intricacies of the job.

It was a bit slow to read in some parts considering it is such a small book but it is so information rich you want to take your time with it.

Highly recommend if you want to wake up to the world we live in.

[Tom Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first ever audiobook! Felt wrong downloading it! But glad i did as I could listen to Jon Snow all day, he is one of Britain’s best ever journalists.
Here he comes across as a level headed and thoroughly decent guy.
Detailing his own path through life, he gives us a sense of the experiences & people who have shaped him and how he has analysed & reported on politicians and events that make Britain.
He has such clarity on the British class system & all its faults and how combined with our flawed institutions ( in particular very honest about UK journalism) making up the establishment, explains where we are going wrong and how we try changing for a fairer society.

[Teodora Agarici · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Jon Snow BUT as much as I love him, I don’t need him to tell me that there is inequality in the world. I think that much I gathered myself.

As for journalism being a force for good - sure, I’m with him on that one, despite being a bit naïve. It’s easy to step aside and say we must have independent, uncensored media when on a daily basis journalists are threatened, jailed or killed for doing their job.

Overall, it was profoundly underwhelming. There was nothing remotely new or at least deeply analysed in this book.

[Niamh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughtful, articulate and passionate, Jon Snow's most recent book blends a call to arms with stories of his time as a journalist, exploring how his time covering so many corners of the earth have influenced his way of living, his hope for society and the way he thinks about modern-day socio-political issues.

[Chris Cowan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good insight into the author, part biography and part commentary on recent politics it read well.
The opening chapter talking about Grenfell describes a very strong impact on the Author. Latter chapters of the book tend to be more of a rambling discourse and are consequently less impactful. The central theme of inequality survives throughout though.

[Mo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great inside into politics and journalism over the past few decades. Highlights just how we have lost the truly great journalists that reported the facts and not party political broadcast or "alternative facts".
Despite the current failings of the current main stream media, Jon is optimistic for our future and leaves you with some of that optimism in the closing pages.

[Guy Clapperton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book on the state of the nation m(s) and what journalism can do to improve and sustain it from one of the masters. He declares his political colours but so many of his points are unarguable. Essential reading for anyone whose career is in the media or who cares about how truth is presented to us in 2023.

[Fergus B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting points and insight into a career in media, but (maybe just because I am aligned with his views) felt like a lot of it was just stating the obvious, and read as a trail of thought with repetition/bouncing around.

[Nora Pesheva · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the book would be about people he interviewed and stories and experiences. It was actually his views on all sorts of things from Grenfell, through Brexit to the future of breeders. I liked it because I agree with his views, but I'm not sure what the purpose of the book is.

[Ronocydennek · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book really illustrates how much of an optimist Mr Snow is. I do wish he spent more time digging into the actual day-to-day of the journalism, but, I did enjoy Jons ability to paint the scene and talk about his adventures, the good and the bad.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slightly light-weight read. I had hoped for a bit more depth. But Jon Snow is clearly a decent and moral man. The opening chapter I found particularly moving.

[Adam Timlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really hopeful, optimistic, forward-thinking and interesting book on inequality and, of course, journalism.

Read the whole thing in Jon’s voice in my head.

[Stephen Whitfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable, nice bloke, didn’t learn an awful lot.
Miss him on Channel 4 news!

[Peter Mitchell]

This was an easy read, though highly thought provoking. JS writes persuasively and with passion about his work.

[Nel Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but a tad repetitive

[Paul Lehane · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story..but strangely a bit simplistic, slightly wooden & not particularly articulate.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tremendous amount of respect for him, his views and his career.