Description
Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE LONGMAN-HISTORY TODAY PRIZE 2018
LONGLISTED FOR THE ORWELL PRIZE 2018
''Makes a gripping human story out of the wisest and most progressive policy achievement of any government in the history of the world ... the welfare state deserves books this good'' Stuart Maconie, New Statesman, Books of the Year
''A brilliant book, full of little revelations'' Jon Cruddas, Prospect
''Carefully argued, deftly balanced and wittily written, with countless lovely details'' Dominic Sandbrook, Sunday Times
A landmark book from a remarkable new historian, on a subject that has never been more important - or imperilled
Today, everybody seems to agree that something has gone badly wrong with the British welfare state. In the midst of economic crisis, politicians and commentators talk about benefits as a lifestyle choice, and of ''skivers'' living off hard-working ''strivers'' as they debate what a welfa
Trade Review
A brilliant book, full of little revelations -- Jon Cruddas * Prospect *
Carefully argued, deftly balanced and wittily written, with countless lovely details -- Dominic Sandbrook * Sunday Times *
