People Like Us (Hardback)

What it Takes to Make it in Modern Britain

Hashi Mohamed

One man's story of social mobility and inequality - and a searching analysis of what needs to change

AS HEARD ON BBC RADIO 4'S BOOK OF THE WEEK

'Hashi Mohamed powerfully exposes the alienating and segregating effect of social immobility in this country.' David Lammy

'A moving, shocking and clear-eyed account of the increasingly rare phenomenon of social mobility. Using his own extraordinary story as a spine [Hashi Mohamed] has written an analysis, how-to-guide and polemic on getting on and up in Britain today.' - Grayson Perry

'Beautifully written and powerfully argued, People Like Us is essential reading' The Secret Barrister

What does it take to make it in modern Britain?

Ask a politician, and they'll tell you it's hard work. Ask a millionaire, and they'll tell you it's talent. Ask a CEO and they'll tell you it's dedication. But what if none of those things is enough?

Raised on benefits and having attended some of the lowest-performing schools in the country, barrister Hashi Mohamed knows something about social mobility. In People Like Us, he shares what he has learned: from the stark statistics that reveal the depth of the problem to the failures of imagination, education and confidence that compound it.

We live in a society where the single greatest indicator of what your job will be is the job of your parents. Where power and privilege are concentrated among the 7 per cent of the population who were privately educated. Where, if your name sounds black or Asian, you'll need to send out twice as many job applications as your white neighbour.

Wherever you are on the social spectrum, this is an essential investigation into our society's most intractable problem. We have more power than we realise to change things for the better.

Publication date: 16/01/2020

£16.99

ISBN: 9781788161121

Imprint: Profile Books

Subject: Biography & Memoir, Current Affairs, Politics & Economics

People Like Us (Ebook)

What it Takes to Make it in Modern Britain

Hashi Mohamed

One man's story of social mobility and inequality - and a searching analysis of what needs to change

A New Statesman Book of the Year

AS HEARD ON BBC RADIO 4'S BOOK OF THE WEEK

'Hashi Mohamed powerfully exposes the alienating and segregating effect of social immobility in this country.' David Lammy

'A moving, shocking and clear-eyed account of the increasingly rare phenomenon of social mobility. Using his own extraordinary story as a spine [Hashi Mohamed] has written an analysis, how-to-guide and polemic on getting on and up in Britain today.' - Grayson Perry

'Beautifully written and powerfully argued, People Like Us is essential reading' The Secret Barrister

What does it take to make it in modern Britain?

Ask a politician, and they'll tell you it's hard work. Ask a millionaire, and they'll tell you it's talent. Ask a CEO and they'll tell you it's dedication. But what if none of those things is enough?

Raised on benefits and having attended some of the lowest-performing schools in the country, barrister Hashi Mohamed knows something about social mobility. In People Like Us, he shares what he has learned: from the stark statistics that reveal the depth of the problem to the failures of imagination, education and confidence that compound it.

We live in a society where the single greatest indicator of what your job will be is the job of your parents. Where power and privilege are concentrated among the 7 per cent of the population who were privately educated. Where, if your name sounds black or Asian, you'll need to send out twice as many job applications as your white neighbour.

Wherever you are on the social spectrum, this is an essential investigation into our society's most intractable problem. We have more power than we realise to change things for the better.

Publication date: 16/01/2020

£9.99

ISBN: 9781788161114

ISBN 10 / ASIN: B07PGKX7VW

Imprint: Profile Books

Subject: Biography & Memoir, Current Affairs, Politics & Economics

People Like Us (Audiobook)

What it Takes to Make it in Modern Britain

Hashi Mohamed

One man's story of social mobility and inequality - and a searching analysis of what needs to change

AS HEARD ON BBC RADIO 4'S BOOK OF THE WEEK

'Hashi Mohamed powerfully exposes the alienating and segregating effect of social immobility in this country.' David Lammy

'A moving, shocking and clear-eyed account of the increasingly rare phenomenon of social mobility. Using his own extraordinary story as a spine [Hashi Mohamed] has written an analysis, how-to-guide and polemic on getting on and up in Britain today.' – Grayson Perry

'Beautifully written and powerfully argued, People Like Us is essential reading' The Secret Barrister

What does it take to make it in modern Britain?

Ask a politician, and they'll tell you it's hard work. Ask a millionaire, and they'll tell you it's talent. Ask a CEO and they'll tell you it's dedication. But what if none of those things is enough?

Raised on benefits and having attended some of the lowest-performing schools in the country, barrister Hashi Mohamed knows something about social mobility. In People Like Us, he shares what he has learned: from the stark statistics that reveal the depth of the problem to the failures of imagination, education and confidence that compound it.

We live in a society where the single greatest indicator of what your job will be is the job of your parents. Where power and privilege are concentrated among the 7 per cent of the population who were privately educated. Where, if your name sounds black or Asian, you'll need to send out twice as many job applications as your white neighbour.

Wherever you are on the social spectrum, this is an essential investigation into our society's most intractable problem. We have more power than we realise to change things for the better.

Publication date: 16/01/2020

£19.99

ISBN: 9781782836810

ISBN 10 / ASIN: B083QRZKWH

Imprint: Profile Books

Subject: Biography & Memoir, Current Affairs, Politics & Economics

Read by: Hashi Mohamed

People Like Us (Paperback)

What it Takes to Make it in Modern Britain

Hashi Mohamed

One man's story of social mobility and inequality - and a searching analysis of what needs to change

A New Statesman Book of the Year

AS HEARD ON BBC RADIO 4'S BOOK OF THE WEEK

'Hashi Mohamed powerfully exposes the alienating and segregating effect of social immobility in this country.' David Lammy

'A moving, shocking and clear-eyed account of the increasingly rare phenomenon of social mobility. Using his own extraordinary story as a spine [Hashi Mohamed] has written an analysis, how-to-guide and polemic on getting on and up in Britain today.' - Grayson Perry

'Beautifully written and powerfully argued, People Like Us is essential reading' The Secret Barrister

What does it take to make it in modern Britain?

Ask a politician, and they'll tell you it's hard work. Ask a millionaire, and they'll tell you it's talent. Ask a CEO and they'll tell you it's dedication. But what if none of those things is enough?

Raised on benefits and having attended some of the lowest-performing schools in the country, barrister Hashi Mohamed knows something about social mobility. In People Like Us, he shares what he has learned: from the stark statistics that reveal the depth of the problem to the failures of imagination, education and confidence that compound it.

We live in a society where the single greatest indicator of what your job will be is the job of your parents. Where power and privilege are concentrated among the 7 per cent of the population who were privately educated. Where, if your name sounds black or Asian, you'll need to send out twice as many job applications as your white neighbour.

Wherever you are on the social spectrum, this is an essential investigation into our society's most intractable problem. We have more power than we realise to change things for the better.

Publication date: 03/09/2020

£9.99

ISBN: 9781788161138

Imprint: Profile Books

Subject: Biography & Memoir, Current Affairs, Politics & Economics

Reviews for People Like Us

'Hashi Mohamed powerfully exposes the alienating and segregating effect of social immobility in this country. Beautifully written, People Like Us makes a deeply personal case for a world in which anybody can reach success, but doesn't have to leave a part of themselves behind to achieve it.'

David Lammy 

'A vital work of courage and hope, by a truly remarkable individual.'

Philippe Sands 

'Mohamed's is an impressive tale, but he turns it into something much larger and far more resonant in his finely written memoir ... a rather ambitious and far-ranging attempt to rethink the whole stalled project of social mobility. A careful and affecting study of personal struggle, social mobility and international migration that brings a fresh and well-informed voice to the debate.'

 Observer

'This rags-to-riches tale is related with humility and humour.'

 The Times

'He is an unconventional figure, and a key strength of his book is his refreshing willingness to address controversial issues with candour.'

 Sunday Times

'I found myself nodding in agreement with every word of People Like Us. Hashi Mohamed has written a moving, shocking and clear-eyed account of the increasingly rare phenomenon of social mobility. Using his own extraordinary story as a spine he has written an analysis, how-to-guide and polemic on getting on and up in Britain today.'

 Grayson Perry

'A brilliant book that should be read and celebrated at any time, but especially now'

Elif Shafak New Statesman

Hashi Mohamed

Hashi Mohamed

Hashi Mohamed arrived in Britain as a child refugee, and is now a Barrister at No5 Chambers in London. A contributor to the Guardian, The Times and Prospect, he has also explored class and mobility for the BBC. His first book, People Like Us, looked at social mobility and inequality and was also published by Profile. A Home of One's Own is his second book.