Being British: The Search for the Values That Bind the Nation

What does being British actually mean? To many people, it might conjure up images of the Battle of Waterloo, Queen Victoria's empire or Geri Halliwell's infamous Union Jack dress. But in the twenty-first century, Britain is home to a diverse range of ethnic groups and religions that challenge these coventional ideas. The time is ripe to explore the value and attributes that define modern Britishness.

In Being British, 35 essays by well-known authors, journalists, politicians, religious leaders, musicians, academics and television personalities - including Stephen Fry, Archbishop Rowan Williams, Professor Tanya Byron, Alex James, June Sarpong and Ian Rankin - offer insights into how Britons today see themselves and their place in the world. Young or old; male or female; Christian, Muslim or Jewish; English, Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish: their thoughts will highlight just how varied our society is and where its strengths and weaknesses lie.

All these views are championed by two unlikely collaborators - Spectator editor Matthew d'Ancona and Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Often politically opposed, they share a passionate interest in exploring what is now meant by being British. This unique book will enlighten, inspire and stir up many debates, but ultimately it will provide a path for any reader wanting to understand just what it is to be British in the new millennium.

Introduction by Gordon Brown

What does being British actually mean today? Twenty contributions written by well-known individuals attempt to offer insight into how Britons today see themselves and their place in the world. This unique book provides a path for any reader wanting to understand just what it is to be British in the new millennium.

Matthew d'Ancona writes for GQ magazine, The Spectator, and the Sunday Telegraph. Gordon Brown is Prime Minister of Great Britain.