The Establishment

And How They Get Away With It

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The Establishment

By: Owen Jones

Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble

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About this listen

Behind our democracy lurks a powerful but unaccountable network of people who wield massive power and reap huge profits in the process. In exposing this shadowy and complex system that dominates our lives, Owen Jones sets out on a journey into the heart of our Establishment, from the lobbies of Westminster to the newsrooms, boardrooms and trading rooms of Fleet Street and the City. Exposing the revolving doors that link these worlds, and the vested interests that bind them together, Jones shows how, in claiming to work on our behalf, the people at the top are doing precisely the opposite. In fact, they represent the biggest threat to our democracy today - and it is time they were challenged.

Owen JonesJonathan KeebleW. F. Howes Ltd

Corruption & Misconduct

Economics

Political Science

Politics & Government

Capitalism

Inspiring

Thought-Provoking

Socialism

Taxation

Corruption & Misconduct Economics Political Science Politics & Government Capitalism Inspiring Thought-Provoking Socialism Taxation

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Editor reviews

British journalist, author and left-wing political activist Owen Jones has written a revealing exposition of the U.K political and media systems in his best-selling new-release The Establishment, which has been narrated in this unabridged audiobook edition by Jonathan Keeble. The quality of Jones’ research is profound. Find out enlightening details of the secret system behind the system, of the immensely powerful, faceless and nameless figures in control of the media. The more you listen to this incredible audio, the more you realise just how little is known about the systems governing the very fabric of the society in which we live and trust in. Available now from Audible.

Critic reviews

"This is the most important book on the real politics of the UK in my lifetime… You will be enlightened and angry." (Irvine Welsh)

"[A] fine writer, and this is a truly necessary book." (Phillip Pullman)

"Fantastic, timely, eye-opening." (Armando Iannucci, New Statesman, Books of the Year)

Most relevant

What made the experience of listening to The Establishment the most enjoyable?

The best book I have read on who really runs Britain. I am a middle aged, white bloke with a good job and steady income but this book inspired the revolutionary in me. The realisation of so much unnecessary injustice across the UK made me both angry and now a enthusiastic campaigner for change! Having just read Russell Brand's latest (but enjoyable) book, I decided to investigate his position further by buying this audiobook. The thinking behind this work is much better expressed and it is clear that the whole book is based on a huge amount of research and interviews with leading figures across society.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Establishment?

Owen Jones' main premise is that a number of institutions, such as politicians, the media, police and big business collude to give the impression of a democracy whilst actually serving their own interests. The results are huge injustices and levels of ignorance and almost disenfranchisement of much of the population.

I would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in politics or society or anyone just wanting to understand the reality behind what the politicians say or what the papers print.

I hope that, like me, you come away with a realisation that our society is unfair but that it doesn't have to be that way. Their power comes from our obedience.

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

I have not listened to any previous performances. The narration is very good although the use of accents employed during the quotes was not really necessary. That said, having tried to read the book originally in print form (and giving up after the first couple of chapters because I am not a very good reader) the narrator really brings the text to life and adds a new dimension to the text.

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

Yes

Any additional comments?

The book is split into separate chapters describing each of the protagonists before coming to a final conclusion on how to tackle this establishment.