A Nation of Shopkeepers

“A brilliant account of how and why “working class” and “middle class” have become such useless labels in the UK, and how we are actually divided.”“A Nation of Shopkeepers asks important questions about class composition beyond the urban centres and “the left.” For those serious about making sense of class and the potential for transforming society today, Daniel Evans’ book makes an important contribution.”“A brilliantly readable exploration of the difficulties and the necessity of class analysis for any imaginably successful left politics.”“This is a vivid and passionate account of the renewal of class divisions in British society and the visceral forms they take. Anyone who doubts the relevance of contemporary class divides is encouraged to read this book.”“A fascinating and accessible account of a social class that is too often neglected or misunderstood. This book powerfully makes the case for a sociologically informed analysis of the capitalist class structure today.”“This is a fantastically written romp filled with humour and pathos which takes us through the history and peculiarities of the British Class system and its connections to modern British politics.”“An intriguing, very political, and unexpectedly personal book for those who are obsessed with class and the global failures of the left.”“A book of theoretical and political clarity that will help all of us think through the political and economic striation of the petty bourgeoisie.”“A brilliant examination of the life and ideology of the petty bourgeoisie, the silent majority of ‘normal people’ whose safe, suburban, newbuild lifestyle belies their huge political influence and violent history.”“Evans does a terrific job of helping us break out of classic class schemas that are either too abstract to help practical political interventions or have not kept up to date with the evolving and complex developments in the formation of classes in Britain. ““A rigorous and attentive book that will be crucial reading for the contemporary British left.”

Dan Evans is a former academic sociologist who is now a support worker, writer and trade unionist based in Cardiff. He writes about Welsh politics, social class and Marxist theory. He is also the host of the Desolation Radio podcast.