How Britain Ends: English Nationalism and the Rebirth of Four Nations Paperback – February 4, 2021

If you enjoyed the twists and turns of Brexit you’ll love this book.

Esler, a Scot himself, begins his book with the question, ‘What does it mean to be British in the twenty-first century?’, and then continues a careful analysis of Great Britain as a nation of four nations when the glue that held that nation together had eroded. It is not a case of a glue that may erode or is eroding. Esler believes that it is gone – the empire, Protestantism, the threat of an external enemy, and international war. Esler also believes that the only way to save Britain is to formalise what is already creeping into existence – a federal system of government. As it is, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have their own governments. Everything down, including separate police forces indicate a federal system. The situation grows more severe with rising nationalism within the four nations, chief of which is, Esler says, English nationalism. As Anthony Barnett says, and Esler quotes, ‘Unable to exit Britain, the English did the next best thing and told the EU to F…off’.Even with a formalised federal government, patient might already be dead. Esler places the blame on the English for their grasping attitude, that is to say, to them, to be British is to be English. He examines the national institutions, from the judiciary to the National Health Service, and finds them to be if anything, English.Esler may be overly pessimistic, and his views of English exceptionalism exaggerated, this book floats many observations and questions that require serious thinking by everyone (although, in Esler’s view, no one does) who regards himself as British.

An excellent book, providing a balanced insight ino a complicated problem.

The book is a explains very clearly just how BREXIT will be one of th final nails I Britain's coffin. Well written, and carefully reasoned. Probably the final nail, will be climate change?

My fellow reviewers have pretty much covered it all: this book is well-researched and written by a seasoned professional who never falters when cutting to the very heart of a massive issue.And Gavin doesn't stop there, either, but provides ample context to make this tricky (for some) subject really come to life. The "good chap" theory and a persistent lack of a written constitution, both of which have long turned our country into what some call an elective dictatorship, are extremely vividly described and helped me understand much more of the history which ultimately culminated in the current Brexit debacle.It's a sobering read at times, yes. And hence for around 30% of us a book they'll never ever touch with a British-made barge pole. But for anyone else who actually cares where this country might go next, How Britain Ends is a vital source of information that will help your solid reasoning against the soundbite politics of you-know-who. Staying awake with a good book has never been more electrifying.

Well thought out and highly readable. Well referenced. A thought-provoking analysis focused on the years since the Brexit Referendum, but anchored firmly in history that is well resourced. A few minor errors of fact and slightly biased in places, but these are minor quibbles. Of interest to anyone who would like further information on how we arrived at where we are today. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

I found the book well-researched and comprehensive. It required intensive reading but I enjoyed it.