Enoch was right by Raheem KassamsteemCreated with Sketch.

in #book6 years ago (edited)

“Enoch was right” by Raheem Kassam is about the topic of immigration in England by drawing on the late Enoch Powell’s Birmingham speech in 1968 on the same topic, at its 50th anniversary. The topic is certainly charged for some. However, as someone who is not English, as someone who lives nowhere near England, as a casual onlooker who just likes reading nonfiction books on contemporary issues, I think the book is at least well written and the content is well researched.

I find that the book starts strongly and effectively by building the background to England’s stance on immigration just after World War Two in 1945. From there on the book leads into Powell’s Birmingham speech in 1968, which has been described as famous, infamous, divisive, emotive and many other words with vastly varying meanings. The speech covers the topic of immigration itself and related topics. Each major claim or viewpoint of the speech has a chapter devoted to it. Each chapter starts with a part of the speech with an in-depth discussion which contains relevant quotes from a variety of sources, be it the government, political figures, newspapers and other organizations. Sometimes the quotes may seem a bit too long, but it is always related to the topic being discussed. It is quite a solid nonfiction book. Moreover, and this is what I appreciate most about the book, is that the message articulated is a provocation of thought rather than an advertisement of view. In fact, it feels to me that the author has made a conscious effort to hide his own views until glimpses of it are revealed when the author relates personal experience to the issue.

I recommend "Enoch was right" by Raheem Kassam to those who are interested in contemporary England.

Buy on Amazon (affiliate link)


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