The Good Ally

By: Nova Reid

Narrated by: Nova Reid

Length: 13 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

I invite you to be courageous and get comfortable with being uncomfortable, because any discomfort you feel is temporary and pales in comparison to what Black and Brown people often have to experience on a daily basis. Are you ready? Let’s get started; we have work to do.

The Good Ally is an urgent call to arms to become better allies against racism and provides a thoughtful approach, centring collective healing, to do so.

It is a book for those against persistent racial injustice, hungry to expand their knowledge and understanding of systemic racism in Britain and beyond. It uncovers the roots of racism and its birthplace, anti-Blackness.

It is for those who not only want to be able to better recognise both subtle and overt forms of racism in action, to examine their powerful role in it, but who want to know what to do about it. The answer often lies within.

The Good Ally is the answer to ‘what next?’.

©2021 Reid (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic reviews

"Nova Reid is one of the most generous, open-hearted, energising writers working today. The Good Ally is a beautiful, bold and no-BS guide to getting uncomfortable, digging deep and being fully human. It will be the best and hardest work you ever do. You will not regret it." (Emma Gannon)

“Powerful, exhilarating and confronting, this book stayed at the front of my thoughts, long after I'd finished it.” (Zoe Williams)

Loved It!

Loved it!
Could not put it down.
Experienced the full range of human emotions especially doing the soul searching that you MUST do if you read/work this book.
Plan to double down on it and become a better supporter of my allys.

Every white person on the planet needs to read and embody this book

If you have any hesitation about reading this book or not, let me tell you it’s a necessary read for white folks. Nova gives you space to not only make mistakes but do the necessary work.
The talking points Nova discusses takes us out of our combativeness into curiosity and that’s the way to peace. Thank you, Nova.

Important. Do it

This is an impossible book to unpack for a "review". So, I will just say this is an important book, you should read it, consider the challenges/implications of it, and implement the actions you come to.

I was intrigued by an article in The Guardian(?) written by the author about not needing a "white savior." I did not know about her previous work. I was impressed by her thoroughness (history, statistics, personal stories) and was not expecting such raw, powerful, sometimes hard-to-face realities, especially since the book mainly covers racism in Britain. As an American (who lived in London for a few years), I found the British focus interesting, and helpful; an almost-clinical way to have an arms-length distance while still understanding the horrible stories, policies, and statistics that would probably be much, much worse in my own country.

I appreciate the repeated inclusion of self-care as a component of doing anti-racism work and I think a lot of the strategies, prompts, and approaches will be helpful for your anti-racism journeys.

from woke to awake

Dear white people, don't be good, be better and this is how. amazingly delivered

Excellent, powerful

A fantastic resource - both in the UK-centric historical and factual content which is so valuable for context (and understanding our shared humanity), but also in the many powerful psychological tools and insights into ourselves, our reactions, behaviour, our relationships which Nova provides, drawing on her expertise from her professional background in psychology.

There are also excellent practical chapters providing tools for talking with children about racism, as well as workplace dynamics. But I think it is the psychology which makes this book unique, and a very powerful tool in our lives for achieving better relationships, better communication skills, healing ourselves and of course, being effective in anti-racism. A great read.

The ultimate guide to being an anti racist

It's hard to find the words to convey how powerful Nova Reid's words are. She role models compassion, courage and curiosity. This is the book to start, embed and revisit our anti racism work. In an ideal world, every white person would read it, but, like the author says, never underestimate the power of one.

Listen to this to start your anti racist journey

I chose this book to strengthen my anti racist practice. Its recent, relevant, confronting, emotional and deeply personal. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Required reading for all white people

Doesn’t matter if you’re just starting out or if you’re years into your anti racist journey, this book is for you. Equal parts powerful and prescriptive, Nova gives you the history, the context, the knowledge, and the tools to do and be better. Be courageous, it’s contagious

Truth to Power

Often people say they are committed to being anti-racist, without really understanding what this statement means. Nova sums it up, warts and all in this amazing book, that will speak to your soul and ignite a real hunger for change in you. If you are serious about becoming anti-racist and more, this is definitely the book for you!

Written for the head and heart

This book and it's author shares a level of honesty, hard facts and courage that are both moving and educational.

It is audio that will speak to both your head and heart.

Hard to hear and most definitely harder for the author to say, there are plenty of personal stories, facts and models we can all learn to apply in our own lives.

Three words stay with me - choice, compassion and courage.

An important book to engage with

Such an important read for anyone seeking to be anti racist and willing to listen, absorb, reflect and put in the work. I will definitely be revisiting this again. Thank you Nova.

Eye-opening stuff thank you

At times uncomfortable for a white person to hear but very worthwhile persevering - eye-opening to understand what you have probably known all along but unconsciously decided to not acknowledge

essential reading for white people about racism

This is an excellently crafted resource on working on your racism and realizing the ways that good people can still, even unintentionally contribute to and uphold racism, even when they don't mean to. It is a call to action, that gives you guidance and support with how to navigate difficult conversations and showing up for your Black family, friends, colleagues, or people you don't know to be genuinely anti-racist, not just not overtly or violently racist.
There is no blame, but plenty of accountability and honesty, calling us all to be a better person. The work starts after reading.
Highly recommend!