Made in Britain

By: Evan Davis

Narrated by: Evan Davis

Length: 7 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's Summary

Looking at how Britain pays its way in the world today. Like Andrew Marr’s History of Modern Britain or Michael Palin’s Himalaya, the book will have a coherence and life beyond the television series, mirroring its basic structure, but looking at some issues in greater depth, and telling additional stories to illustrate some of the ideas. This book is about the things that Britain produces in order to pay its way in the world, from physical goods that we can see and feel, to intangible services that are much harder to quantify.

We don’t have to be prejudiced in favour of certain types of value: we shouldn’t assume finance is modern and manufacturing out of date, for example. What matters is what sells and for how much. From manufacturing to technology, design and the services industries, this book will provide a cutting edge analysis - via entertaining stories - about what we make and why it matters.

©2011 Evan Davis (P)2011 Hachette Digital

Consuming 'Made in Britain'

Are you fascinated by how people manage to earn a living? Does an economy built on services, where none of us seems to do much of anything besides go to meetings and e-mail each other, completely confuse you? How is it that we manage to buy houses and cars and computers if we don't really make anything?

For answers to these questions, and more, the best place to visit is Britain. Why? Because England has gone further down the road of creating a services based economy than the U.S., Germany, Japan or other wealth countries. The birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, the workshop of the world, is the poster child of the service economy of tomorrow.

I really liked Made in Britain. I'm hoping that Evan Davis franchises the book. A "Made in France" and a "Made in South Korea" and a "Made in the USA". The book grew out of Davis' BBC production of the same name. You can find the episode online, but apparently the BBC does not let North American's view their online video. (Can anyone help?)

The British economy is strong in areas of finance, pharmaceuticals, marketing / design, defense and higher education. Problems exist, such as persistent underinvestment in research and development, too little savings, and too much borrowing. Housing continues to absorb too many investment dollars. The finance sector is probably too large. The U.S. can learn much from Britain's economic strengths and weaknesses, and Made in Britain is a great place to start.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

The UK's Income Explained!

It is a question often asked in a conversation, and then everyone starts to moan that "we don't make anything anymore". The book blows this myth to smithereens by showing what we do make and how well our products are received globally; however it is balanced with what we don't make, and why we don't make those things any more.

The UK's economics and our societies' culture (and to a certain extent its psychology) are examined, indicating why we have a trade deficit and prefer offices to manufacturing.

I'm abbreviating heavily here. This book deserves much more of your time and attention. Evan Davis narrates himself, and I've always found programs or documentaries of his on TV engaging, entertaining and easy to understand. He brings all this to the book; if you're a fan of his style, you'll love the book.

This was one of those audiobooks I didn't want to end.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Lucid

I really enjoyed this. Easy to listen to and straightforward to follow, interesting throughout, balanced and also with a number of surprises. If the French have car brands and we don't, does it mean they have a larger auto industry? Well, cars are made up of components from all over the world, and the UK supplies a few. Also the retail distribution of cars is an important and essential part of the auto industry value chain. Wheels within wheels.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Pitched just right

I came away from this audiobook feeling both informed and entertained. A subject like this could easily be dull, but this work is both written and narrated with real pace and an infectious enthusiasm. Perhaps the best endorsement I can give it, is that it really did change my opinion on the subject. Recommended.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Excellent

This was a truly pleasurable listen. Evan gives a very impartial and positive overview of the British economy. If you have been reading a news paper or listening to the doom and gloom on TV. Get this book, listen to Evan's account of how Britain does what it does and I guarantee the pride will return.

Really good stuff.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Entertaining and revealing

I enjoyed this book. It's read well, interesting, and at times surprising. Best of all: it's a positive, honest message.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

An interesting, understandable view of Economy

An easy to listen to review that put certain ideas into perspective. Thoroughly recommended as a valuable insight to how a global economy operates and the importance of the various economic factors within.

Excellent introduction in the evolution of the British economy

Evan Davis excellently narrates the evolution of the British economy from the past to the present, using examples of real British firms such as BAE system, ARM holding and Brompton bicycles as sources of innovation and how our economy can be improved upon.

Economics made easy to understand

What did you like most about Made in Britain?

Was easy to follow the economic theory as it was put in simple terms and good real life examples.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Evan Davis

Which character – as performed by Evan Davis – was your favourite?

Evan Davis

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Listed to on the drive to and from work, half an hour each way. For about a week.

Excellent synopsis of how modern economics works

Excellent synopsis of how modern economics works and n the UK and beyond. Well presented and easy to understand

Finally my questions are answered

I have been looking for the subject for quite some time.

This audio book is very informative and proved my point right that universities are one of Britain's biggest income.

I shall buy another copy as a gift to my country's president.