The Politics of Pain

This book is an attempt to explain the result of the 2016 Brexit vote that ends up feeling pretty persuasive. A feeling of being hard-done-by after their victory in World War II leads to toxic self-pity which hardened into an anti-European English (not British) nationalism. I did find it quite repetitive at times, and wished that there was more in here on the nearly 50-year experience of the UK's EU membership (the book touches on the beginning of the relationship and of course relentlessly examines the end).

It's remarkable how many reactionary movements are based on an undeniable overdog taking on the sympathy-inspiring underdog position. I think that particular framework will be this book's lasting effect on me.