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A Black Boy at Eton
A Black Boy at Eton
Oct 4, 2024 7:27 AM

Author:Dillibe Onyeama,Bernardine Evaristo

A Black Boy at Eton

'The story [Onyeama] had to tell was so gripping and shocking, it wouldn't let me go . . . A remarkably well-written memoir' Bernardine Evaristo, from the Introduction

Dillibe was the second black boy to study at Eton - joining in 1965 - and the first to complete his education there. Written at just 21, this is a deeply personal, revelatory account of the racism he endured during his time as a student at the prestigious institution.

He tells in vivid detail of his own background as the son of a Nigerian judge at the International Court of Justice at The Hague, of his arrival at the school, of the curriculum, of his reception by other boys (and masters), and of his punishments. He tells, too, of the cruel racial prejudice and his reactions to it, and of the alienation and stereotyping he faced at such a young age.

A Black Boy at Eton is a searing, ground-breaking book displaying the deep psychological effects of colonialism and racism.

A title in the Black Britain: Writing Back series - selected by Booker Prize-winning author Bernardine Evaristo, this series rediscovers and celebrates pioneering books depicting black Britain that remap the nation.

Reviews

[A] frank and reflective memoir . . . An important story to tell

—— The Guardian

[An] electrifying memoir . . . I started reading, and the story he had to tell was so gripping and shocking, it wouldn't let me go . . . Dillibe Onyeama's story about landing in the hostile environment of Eton College is a personal one, but the questions it raises have much wider repercussions

—— Bernardine Evaristo , New Statesman

A powerful insider account of systemic racism inside Eton during the sixties

—— Bustle

Highly impressive . . . several books have been written about this subject in 2022 alone, but for sheer intellectual firepower O'Leary wins first prize

—— Andrew Lynch , Business Post

Should be required reading for everyone - including unionists - who are interested in and concerned about the fate of this island

—— Andy Pollak , DRB

Brilliant

—— Brian Feeney , Irish News

A must-read . . . [O'Leary has] thought through the implications of possible unity so deeply it would be foolish for anyone who seeks it or opposes it to ignore his book

—— Cathal Mac Coille

A tour de force, a highly readable, stylishly written, and essential book for anyone interested in a united Ireland, whether supportive, opposed or simply anxious about disturbing the peace we have enjoyed for 25 years . . . fascinating and ultimately optimistic

—— Irish Central

Impressively researched and well-argued . . . detailed and readable

—— Irish Independent

Thought-provoking.

—— Catherine Pepinster , Tablet, *Books of the Year*

[A] poignant mixture of the personal and the political... a stirring, opinionated account.

—— History Revealed

The power of government is crucial for driving the economy forward. But only if it retains capacity. Mazzucato and Collington have written a brilliant book that exposes the dangerous consequences of outsourcing state capacity to the consulting industry-and how to build it back. A fascinating look at the biggest players in the game and why this matters for all of us.

—— Stephanie Kelton, author of THE DEFICIT MYTH

A powerful indictment of a dubious industry. This book should be read around the globe, and kickstart a debate that's long overdue: Do we really need all those consultants?

—— Rutger Bregman, author of UTOPIA FOR REALISTS and HUMANKIND

The Big Con documents, in precise detail and with panoramic vision, all the ways that the consulting industry has insinuated itself into the systems that govern and control our lives. Private companies, public charities and trusts, states, and even the international order have all handed mission-critical functions over to management consultants. Mariana Mazzucato and Rosie Collington document the harms that result, as consultants exploit the public while stripping their clients of expertise and even the capacity to learn. This bill of particulars serves a profound master purpose: to demonstrate that we cannot outsource governance over our lives and still hope to remain prosperous, democratic, and free.

—— Daniel Markovits, author of THE MERITOCRACY TRAP

A management consultant,' the quip runs, 'is someone who borrows your watch to tell you the time-and then keeps the watch.' This is the very least of the confidence tricks perpetrated by the global consulting industry it turns out. Another common saying is that 'nobody ever got fired for hiring McKinsey.' With the publication of The Big Con, they just might.

—— Brett Christophers, author of RENTIER CAPITALISM

Doggedly researched and elegantly written, this is a fascinating entry point into a critical yet underreported issue

—— Publishers Weekly

Fascinating... a real page-turner... the writing is backed up with considerable academic research... the evidence of systematic oppression, presented as powerfully and relentlessly as it is here, will be difficult to resist

—— Literary Review

Not so much a history book as a book of historical significance

—— BBC History Magazine, *Best Books of 2022*

Hugely entertaining

—— The Times, Best Books of Summer 2022

Fascinating

—— Catherine Fletcher , History Today
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