Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett, The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better Review

Overall Rating

"The Spirit Level" is an astonishing book. Based on a vast array of research, and impeccably argued, it shows that countries with more equality have safer, happier, more collaborative and more sociable societies. It's very readable and full of surprising facts. The message is that we can actually reduce almost every social ill - disease, mental illness, stress, violence, crime, teenage births, obesity - by making society more equal. The evidence is compelling. More wealth doesn't make us happier - but more equality does, even for the rich. If only politicians would have the courage to adopt these policies (despite the rantings of the popular press) they would find most of us supported them. This book is definitely in my top few life-enhancing reads.