Maybe this book was not what I was expecting but I found it difficult to read. I was hoping for life within a family held together by a nanny but no to be. Unfortunately I didn’t complete it as I was not enjoying it even though I have a wide range of taste in books. I think the problem may have been down to me wanting something cosy and nurturing

I decided to read this book because I was looking for a strongly held view on the nanny state. Personally, I consider myself to be apolitical and reasonably open minded but the relentless and incessant tub-thumping of the author gave me a thumping headache and so I moved on after reading 40% the book.

At heart of the book (five stars) is a survey of sectors from the Nanny staff fleshed out with excellent detail from some reminiscence, mostly from discussion and visits across the UK with those involved. There is a feeling of rosy nostalgia at times, but written with passion and intelligence.

It falls a little for me at the start and end. The intro is a little too wayward in places and selective in sources, and this has to be viewed in the context of polemic rather than critical analysis - nothing wrong with that and it does make for good reading. It could also do with a good proof-read and edit in places. The conclusion and way forward is good in looking at better ways for society to manage itself for the good of the nation (democratic socialism Scandi-style). What is missing is any real sense of how this shift is to be achieved.

In summary an excellent book well-worth reading as a document of the development and importance of the 'nanny state', some slight issues mean I can't give this five stars overall.

‘Between the end of the Second World War and the entry of Thatcher into Downing Street, the state generally did what it thought was the best for the very best of reasons. It was progressive, imaginative, adventurous, caring and responsible. The years since then have seen not salvation but a shrinking, the slow sour closing of the English mind and heart, as we turn to worship at the altar of the private sector.’

The first book by Stuart Maconie I’ve read and what a delight, though he is preaching to the converted with me, being a beneficiary of many of the state-funded educational and social provisions he discusses. He applies a well-informed, passionate but often wry, approach to a serious theme - that of what we have lost over the last four decades in terms of people’s well-being and quality of life. I enjoyed it enormously, especially the anecdotes from his own early years. Highly recommended to ponder over during this difficult time - one the author could not have predicted but what I wouldn’t give to read his take on our response to it. A sequel beckons?

Many thanks to netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this, in exchange for an honest review.

If ever there was a time we were in desperate need of a nanny state, it would be now, in our coronavirus universe.

Yet as journalist Stuart Maconie shows, the nanny state in Britain has for a long time been “mocked and vilified”. He says:

“The ‘nanny state’ has become a glib dismissal for all that is seen to be bad, weak and misguided about once-proud Britain. The term is now the blowhard columnist’s friend, blamed for everything from teenage pregnancies to the erratic form of our fast bowlers. It has become a byword for failure”.

Maconie wryly observes: “the people who complain about the nanny state are the people who had nannies”. Not most of us, then.

In an era of austerity & celebration of the individual, Maconie introduces the (today depressingly revolutionary) idea that there’s a lot to celebrate about the welfare state. In the time of Covid 19, reading this was a reminder of why we need an accessible & well-funded health service, public education, well stocked public libraries, freely accessible parks & a well running national transport system. We also need a benefits system that looks after those it seeks to support, rather than being so maze-like that it’s impossible to navigate.

These ideas feel timely, during a week when the UK welfare state is mobilising so rapidly to deal with the demands Covid 19 is making of us. If I have one complaint about this book, it’s that it does too much. It tackles housing, the NHS, education, transport, libraries & parks, the benefits system, & a lot more. A focus on a handful of these issues would have made for a more engaging book.

I really enjoyed this. I love Stuarts writing and the humour and warmth he brings to the subjects he writes about. Happily, I'm northern and about the same age - and this book as with so many of his others made me rfeel very comfortable and rite at 'ome.

From the intro Maconie pulls not punches. He pours out his (middle-aged) dissatisfaction with Britain 2020, the powers that run it, the lies, the greed, the loss, the existential angst that sours the core of all of us who remember a better time. As he says, the barren wasteland of the 1970s was not a drab desert of overflowing dustbins, three day weeks and shortages - it was also a time when fun was cheap, student grants existed, class divides were pregnable, and prime time television offered radical drama, incisive documentaries and interviews. Despite the Orwellian rewriting of history Margaret Thatcher did not ride in like some purple-permed Boadicea, defeating the evil unions, the left, communism, inflation, Galtieri and the Sex Pistols and create everlasting prosperity. What she really did was dismantle the Nanny State, sell it back to its owners, squander the profits, create a yawning chasm in society - a legacy that still soils us all from a great height.
Maconie appreciates the gifts that the Nanny state provided, and reminds the reader of its long lost dream. Anyone familiar with his style knows what to expect - anecdotes, interesting facts, trivia, irony, and much humour wrapped into a very personal blend of social history and political commentary. But this time there is an edge under his affability, a true sense of loss and anger that his memories are being corrupted. This is an important book, and far deeper than its placement on the bookshop might suggest.

So pleased I read this book. It shows were we went wrong and how we can get back a country for the many not the few.

A fascinating, well researched and written polemic/autobiography that analyses and dissects the history of the welfare state and then looks at the reasons for and laments its demise.

I have read most of this author's books which have been fun and light hearted for the most part but this is a subject that is dear to his heart and he covers all the individual areas such as the NHS, libraries, education and the benefits system throughly and from the heart.

I learned a lot from this book which shattered some of my middle class, hobby horses, ideals and misconceptions.

An important book that deserves a wide audience.

A really interesting look at the period between 1945 and the 1970s in Britain focusing on how things such as public transport libraries swimming pools etc are so important to ordinary people and how different life was. All interspersed with music references which if you are of a similar age to Stuart will really resonate. Read it fir yourself.

'The Nanny State Made Me' is a probing look at the care of Britain's society, what it has been, where we are now and even where we need to go. It is inspiring and nostalgic and makes me feel proud and saddened at the same time.

Thought=provoking and powerful, this is a must read. Unfortunately the messages in this book will likely be dismissed by those who should be listening. As Maconie says, '... the people who complain about the nanny state are the people who had nannies.'

Well, this is a very different kind of read for me, and it turned out to be far more political than I expected.

Stuart Maconie is slightly younger than I am, so much of what he says rings true and I can't disagree with his memories of how things used to be, although I feel he has rather cherry picked. I really enjoyed his visits across Britain to discover how different areas deal successfully with things in the here and now; however, there were many realities left untouched.

This is definitely book which will appeal to voters who lean to the left; it's very much a case of the labour party can do no wrong and the conservatives can do no right. I'm more of a hybrid voter myself, weighing up how each government performs before casting my vote.

I'm not here to criticise the content, but to review the book as a whole. It was consistent in the stance taken and, perhaps, the author should go into the political arena? It's well written although it does begin to blur at times. I can't say I loved it - or even liked it - but I got through it. For me, this is a 3* read.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

Have you every complained about paying the TV licence, or supported the idea of nationalising the rail service again? If you have (or even if you haven’t, but you use public services) then this book is for you.

Stuart Maconie looks into the ‘Nanny State’, the derogatory term used for public or nationalised services by people with money, people in power or, as Maconie says “people who had nannies”, “rich and privileged figures, mostly men, [who] have no need of the simple things this book celebrates”.

The nanny state means so much more to ordinary people like you and me, people who have found ourselves “in doctors’ waiting rooms, on the muddied pitch, on the swings in the park or in the noisy chaos of the baths on a Saturday morning”. As a voracious book worm, from a working class family, I was solely reliant on my local library to feed my need to read. My family couldn’t afford to buy books, but I got to borrow them. Hundreds, probably thousands of them. I am acutely aware that this option is not open to so many children these days and it breaks my heart.

Maconie asks how have we allowed the gradual destruction of our public services and looks into the demonisation of those using said services, particularly those drawing benefits. Maconie asks if it is the prejudice of the rich elite which is being fed to those of us not in this very small group: “Prejudice is something you have to be carefully taught ... no-one’s born with this stuff. You need to put in the hours. You have to pick it up as you go along, even the mild varieties of snobbery “. This prejudice is taught by the media run by medial moguls, the same men who are best buds with the men in power who are in charge of deciding what to do with these services.

Where would many of us be without the NHS, without public education, without swimming baths and libraries and parks? Many people rely on council housing and public transport and social security benefits to survive. And looking at the outstanding ratings and reviews they enjoy, who hasn’t benefited from watching BBC television programmes or listening to their radio channels.

So, like the author, I am proud that the Nanny State made me. Ironically, I am now a small cog in the large machine that is the much derided ‘Nanny State. And I couldn’t be more proud.

I enjoyed the premise of this book. Being of a similar age to Stuart everything resonated with me. Dole, NHS, Miners etc. Particularly the privatisation of everything by the then Conservative government - water, railways etc. Was it for the greater good - definitely not - where are we now?????????

The Nanny State Made Me by Stuart Maconie is part polemic ,part autobiography, part history lesson and part nostalgia. Being the same age as Maconie I remember the days when public services were just that and we didn't have a choice of Bus services blocking the same routes in City Centres while in villages a few miles away public transport was just a memory. Nationally there was one company everyone got their gas from,another their electricity and a national railway service that most could afford to use before "choice" gave us worse service ,rising prices and profit put above the providing the basics of life at affordable cost. Maconie's political leanings are very obvious but there can be no argument where the blame lies for "fixing" what wasn't broken until it was messed with in the name of capitalism.

As Maconie points out those who rant about the Nanny State mostly tend to be from the small segment of society, or more accurately those who feel above the rest of us, who actually had Nannies, not least arch-oddball Jacob Rees Mogg who still employs his own former Nanny for his Children.

The book is not a rant but Maconie puts his case across strongly and often naming the names of those he sees as responsible for the decline not only in public services but in the standard of our politicians, the shoddy and often disgraceful media that pass for news outlets in this country.

Maconie is a very intelligent and eloquent commentator who takes us on a journey through the setting up and founding of the welfare state along with relevant parts of his own story and it's subsequent fight to survive. Like Maconie I've lived on benefits at times of my life when I've needed support, the last time was 35 years ago and I'm certainly no scrounger nor workshy and it kept me afloat during hard times. Back then there was a bit of a stigma,now , as Maconie points out, claimants are harassed,decried by our hysterical media and demonised by the rich and entitled people who supposedly represent us for having the temerity to be poor and in need while tax evasion by those same people and news organisations barely raises a murmur.

This a very interesting book that held my attention throughout, from the shared nostalgia to Maconie's pertinent views on the profit over public good ethos that is prevalent in this country and the potted history of the NHS. This is the first book I've read by Stuart Maconie,, it won't be the last.

Stories are important. We saw that in the whole Brexit debacle, a compelling narrative developed over time can move masses. In Britain the narrative has shifted disturbingly towards the destruction of the State, a refusal to accept the principle of community and a shared common good and the elevation of the individual in a competitive, every man for himself culture.

In The Nanny State Made Me Stuart Maconie starts to describe a different narrative for our country and it is an inspiring one that can hopefully take hold. Maconie reflects on his own life and the provisions that the now derided Nanny State gave him at different stages of life to nurture and sustain him. It’s a story of healthcare, education, public assets such as libraries, leisure centres and parks and a willingness to bridge the different stages of our lives through the Welfare State.

To do this the author visits key examples of the different institutions and services of the State. The first NHS hospital, the first comprehensive school, a library that remains at the heart of its community thanks to the time and energy, partly paid and considerably volunteered, by its librarian. It’s a history lesson in the greatest civic achievements of the country alongside personal memories of Maconie himself and others he meets along the way. A shared story of a better way of life.

As we sit now in the aftermath of a General Election that appears to have rejected the civic society there are surely lessons to be learned for those of us who value community and have an empathy with our common man. Too many of the attempts to counter catchy right wing soundbites have been negative, playing on fear of what might happen if things change, rather than positive stories about a shared, inclusive country in which we can all play a part and all reap the benefits.

Those who know Maconie’s other books will recognise the readable, conversational style that makes his writing very accessible. It’s a style suited to the messages he is putting across, not a lecture or a political rally but a fireside conversation with family and friends. There is a certainly a place for the Bevins and Benns to rally the crowds, but there is a need too for a gentler revolution, a change of heart away from the stinginess of the current political debate that seeks to disqualify the meeting of genuine need as “sponging” towards a common kindness.

We are being shaped by our politicians and media into a miserly country built on the worst facets of our history, but The Nanny State Made Me shows that we are at our best when we turn our innovation to a common cause that leaves no one behind. Stuart Maconie has written a timely book that gives those of us bereft at the election of a divisive government a glimmer of hope. It is time to take stock, to understand the past, recharge our batteries and reach out to our communities in the spirit of the post war consensus that made us.

This is my first book by this author. Whilst I’m not of a similar age to Maconie, some of this I do feel is familiar. Obviously its based around politics, so this book might not be for some. But it also might be an eye opener for the younger generation. It talks about the benefit system, the highstreets, the NHS and libraries as it all once was. Well written and definitely worth reading.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

The rural bus route cuts are a disgrace so are the sad demise of our well loved local library’s.
It’s certainly an eye opener with the benefit fraud versus tax evasion.
It’s a sad fact that ten per cent of land from woodland to parks ,playing fields and local amenities have been sold quickly and quietly to private investors. More council houses are needed for those who are not on the top rungs of any ladder and who have children to bring up with good values and work ethics. How is this country to move forward with real sense of commitment and pride in its school system with so many educators feeling let down.
Maybe it’s time for a more even playing field, the Norwegians may not have all the answers but they are proud of their country, I wonder how many British can say the same?
A brilliant read , great straight talking, I love the way humour streams through the book. I will recommend highly.

I'm of a similar age to Mr Maconie and happy to acknowledge the nanny state made me too. I found this a well written book, although repetitive at times, that made me stop and think how privileged I was to have been born when I was and how many things I took for granted - health care, libraries, cheap buses etc, This in turn made me feel more angry and depressed at the present state of Britain. I don't think the author lived up to the "how to save it" part of the title though and was left feeling pessimistic rather than fired up for the fight.
Thank you to netgalley random house for an advance copy of this book.

I know Stuart Maconie from TV appearances and so came to this book expecting something much more light-hearted and funnier than what's delivered here. It isn't really funny - perhaps momentarily - but not consistently. It's not a serious, academic tome either though; it does contain research but is largely anecdotal and there is a sense that some of the research is basically wikipedia, with some lazy factual inaccuracies...of which more later.

All of this could imply that I didn't enjoy this book but in fact I did enjoy it very much. It is an unapologetically partisan, affectionate and passionate celebration of 'the state' in its various guises. Maconie makes, in some cases, quite obvious points and yet - having the obvious pointed out to me in this way - I found very thought-provoking. There are chapters on the NHS, schools, parks housing, water, to name a few. Maconie celebrates the post-war era and the giant strides taken in all of these fields to improve conditions and opportunities for working class people in Britain.

In today's media and politics it is considered so radical and dangerous to speak of nationalisation. And yet so much of what Maconie points out, makes perfect sense. In those areas of life where we just require quality - we don't require choice - then the private sector does not serve us well. If your local bus routes are operated for profit, you will have too many buses on popular routes and none at all on others. If your water is provided by a private company then shareholder dividend will always take precedence over drought planning or water safety. Maconie makes a strong defence of state ownership from his own clearly moderate and pragmatic political position.

My one main criticism would be of the chapter on the BBC, which appeared to be a subject on which the author's own viewpoint is too close and conflicted. This chapter rambles and does not make coherent arguments. It also aggravated me to encounter three references in this chapter to Peppa Pig on cbeebies. Peppa Pig is neither made nor broadcast (except in Welsh) by the BBC. This is lazy and did make me wonder whether the rest of the book had been suitably fact checked. That caveat aside, this book was nostalgic, passionate and thought-provoking and well worth a read.