No Such Thing as Society cover art

No Such Thing as Society

A History of Britain in the 1980s

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No Such Thing as Society

By: Andy McSmith
Narrated by: David Holt
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About this listen

The 1980s was the revolutionary decade of the 20th century. From the Falklands war and the miners' strike to Bobby Sands and the Guildford Four, from Diana and the New Romantics to Live Aid and the 'big bang', from the Rubik's cube to the ZX Spectrum, McSmith's brilliant narrative account uncovers the truth behind the decade that changed Britain forever - politically, economically and culturally.

©2010 Andy McSmith (P)2011 Audible Ltd 20th Century Europe Great Britain Modern England Thought-Provoking United Kingdom War Imperialism Winston Churchill

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What did you like most about No Such Thing as Society?

This was both a nostalgic look back on the 80's (which was my childhood years) and also an intelligent insight into the politics and major events of the time. Being a child of the 80's I didn't always understand the politics or why things happened the way they did, therefore I enjoyed looking back on those years with adult eyes and a deeper understanding of events that were happening. I absorbed a lot of information and was actually shocked by how much we have changed as a society within such a short space of time.

Have you listened to any of David Holt’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No. The reader was excellent.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, it was definitely a book which I would have liked to have read in one sitting if possible. I was hooked from start to finish and zipped through it very quickly.

Any additional comments?

I definitely recommend this to anyone who lived through this decade or even if you are intrigued by the events of the time; fashion, music, and culture is particularly portrayed well.

Entertaining and Educating

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A satisfying review of the major events of the decade. Descriptive rather than analytical, with major strands in politics and culture well defined

Competent review of the 80s

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A good balance of politics, history, culture, sociology and a crisp, witty narrative. If you think you know all about this era, you will still enjoy it.

No Such Thing as Society

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I was drawn to this book because I often quote Thatcher's phrase "no such thing as society" as a logical extreme of neoliberal thinking. The book is a great listen if you are interested in Britain of the '80s and a bit of the '70s and '90s, the origins of Thatcherism, and its lasting influences.

An excellent review not only about the Tories, but also the broader range of political issues faced by the UK in this period. McSmith is entertaining with his stories and quotes related to Thatcher's rise within the Conservative party, her relationships with her ministers, the shift to the centre by Labour, the emergence of the European Union, and the interface of the West with the Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc. McSmith also sheds light on how Thatcher dealt with (and suffered from) political violence and resistance associated with the Irish Republican movement, her relationships with newspaper moguls like Murdoch and her campaign to smash the British trade union movement including assaults on Scargill and the Mineworkers. Race relations also get a look-in as do national-local government relations and her efforts to smash left wing local governments including that of Ken Livingstone in London.

The political insights are complemented by interesting, often amusing, insights into British popular culture - the British comedians, television shows, music, celebrities and the royal family. McSmith has a nice turn-of-phrase, provides contextual insights and asides, along with witty anecdotes and quotes. It's never boring.

It's a pity Audible hasn't introduced music into its recordings or the ability to flash up the quote, headline or image being described on the recording. Next generation listening perhaps...

Having lived in post-Thatcher Britain I found this quite compelling listening despite its droll and distasteful right-wing centrepiece...

Excellent!

Thatcher unmasked and nicely contextualised

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loved it also understood more about the politics of the 80 s than I ever did living through it love to read more from him

brilliant narrative

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