Racism is still a very dominant topic which we still have to fight nowadays. Probably more than ever. I almost feel incapable of rating this sampler but it does give a great inside into the book and I think that the content of this book can also be applied to countires other than Britain. This book is a very thought provoking book and I'll definitely buy a copy of this book.

Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race is the essential handbook for anyone who wants to understand race relations in Britain today. It's not comfortable reading and I found it to be a terrific eye-opener highlighting the issue of black history and culture from a white person's point of view.
This review is only of the first chapter, but already I can tell this informative read is as much about the act of educating people and learning to be part of the solution and not the cause of racism in Britain. Diversity has many layers, it's not just black or white.
The title alone makes me want to challenge this book - would refusing to talk to white people about race really benefit anyone? Or is the title more for effect than anything else? Reni Eddo-Lodge certainly knows how to spark off interest!

The opinions here are voiced articulately and with flair, and are sure to provoke in depth analysis of society's prejudices and slanted interpretations. I'm considering buying the full book in order to delve into the deeper reasons for our behaviour, and to unravel the hidden histories of which many of us thought we already knew. Clearly, we have a lot more to learn.

Having just read the first two chapters, I’m going to go out and read this book. Not only is it fascinating to read the history of immigration and slavery but it’s extremely relevant to me as it’s part of my own heritage. I found myself agreeing with pretty much everything Reni Eddo-Lodge writes. Books like this are so important. A great read.

This was an enthralling opening and I was immediately drawn into her style of writing. The author broached the topic in a tactful but direct manner and I felt she explained her points intricately.

I received only a sample of this book for review. The prologue I found slightly difficult to get through but only because it was so well wrote and intellectual,
When the book started it was more accessible. Non fiction isn’t normally my thing but this was interesting and thought provoking.

This is a well written, deeply researched and honest look at race in Britain and I am very glad I have read it. This should be on the shelves of every school library, every book club should talk about it and every training academy for police recruits should have to read it as part of their diversity training. It is that important. It is easy to dismiss the voice of BAME Britain saying "they" have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else but reading this, you soon see the truth is far more complex and the very fact that we can't have an honest conversation about racism is reflected in the title itself.

"...looking at our history shows racism does not erupt from nothing, rather it is embedded in British society. It's in the very core of how the state is set up. It's not external. It's in the system."

Before I read this book, I would have felt that statement was a bit strong and possibly unfair. After the book - having learned so much - I believe every word.

I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley in return for an honest review.

Ok, I will be honest with you. The title of this book both scared and intrigued me, being a white person with a considerably privileged existence. But then again, after reading it, it seems that that was very possibly the point.

A profound and beautifully informed and written piece that clears the bullshit, educates exquisitely and takes a no nonsense approach to racism that yes, even in 2018 is still a very big issue within our society. I loved this book and read it in one sitting for fear of losing the spell under which I had fallen as soon as I opened its pages. This book is not an angry rant or a long lesson in right and wrong or a discusion about slavery but all of those things and much more.

This book should be taught in schools. It is a bite sized look at black history in Britain and shares the importance of this knowledge in informing our communities. A shared personal experience with living in an incredibly rigged system and a caring account of where we are going wrong, as we encounter this mammoth task of setting new standards, of equality and inclusion, in the modern world.

Highly recommend for everyone but even more so for young people of every race and gender.

[Considering only the preface and first chapter were contained in the preview, my review is going to be just about that as well, and the star rating is an average one, since apparently I can't go without a rating.]

This said, I must admit I wouldn’t have requested it if I had noticed sooner it was a preview: I much prefer reading & reviewing full books. Oh, well.

I get the voluntarily provoking title, which is loaded in itself, but I guess that’s a good way of testing oneself and see if we want to read further. Examples given in the first chapter didn’t surprise me either, much unfortunately.

Obviously, being ‘white’, I can’t relate directly, however, for some of the examples, well, just replace ‘white’ and ‘black’ by ‘men’ and ‘women’, and you get pretty much a similar effect. (Yes, I know, ‘not all men…’, just like ‘not all whites…’, but as usual with that kind argument: it’s not the point.) I’m thinking here of the preface more specifically: “You can see their eyes shut down and harden. It’s like treacle is poured into their ears, blocking up their ear canals. It’s like they can no longer hear us.” Or “They’ve never had to think about what it means, in power terms, to be white, so any time they’re vaguely reminded of this fact, they interpret it as an affront. Their eyes glaze over in boredom or widen in indignation. Their mouths start twitching as they get defensive. Their throats open up as they try to interrupt, itching to talk over you but not really listen, because they need to let you know that you’ve got it wrong.” In other words, I can’t fully relate, but pushing myself to imagine what it must be like isn’t a big stretch; I got into similar conversations with patronising people who thought they were right because they had a penis instead of a vagina (hint: they weren't).

Anyway.

Now, where I believe I can’t judge without having read it all, is because, for the moment, I can’t exactly tell in which direction the book is going. Is the title misleading, and the author does actually want dialogue? Or is it exactly what it says on the tin, and veering into ‘reverse racism’? (Note that as far as I’m concerned, racism is universal and goes every way and from any colour to anywards any colour, and it sucks, and I wish the human species as a whole would finally grow up, but then I suppose I’d also like to get a sports car and a penthouse in the City for my birthday, and it just won’t happen.)

So, yep… To be read fully later.

A difficult read it you don't have any knowledge of predudist most of the story I know off as I have read some of these terrible stories from the time the slaves came over and the atrosaties they had to suffer were appalling from not being allowed to work to all the riots in which I think White people are more predudist than black any book which highlights this has to be a good thing and I think everyone should read this

A stunning read. Yes, it’s challenging and eviscerating. Yes, it’s a passionate, accessible treatise. What ‘Why I’m No Longer......’ isn’t is hectoring or alienating. Reni Eddo-Lodge’s writing is dynamic, insightful and never patronising. Many of the things that may shock the reader came as a surprise to her too, and this is beautifully conveyed. As a result of reading this extract, I read the entire book- and I’d recommend this brilliantly researched, drafted and vital text to anyone.

I'd seen this book being talked about a lot on Twitter, and photographed a lot on Instagram. I wasn't sure how I felt about reading it. As a rule I tend to steer clear of books that have had a lot of hype, until all the fuss has died down and I can make a clearer assessment of whether it's something I genuinely want to read. This sample chapter from NetGalley was a much better way of making that decision. It's well written, it's very compelling and I have already learned a lot, just from the short section I was able to read here. I will definitely be buying a copy, and I feel it will be one of those books I end up buying multiple copies of and giving to other people to read.

I received a free copy of the preface and first chapter of this book from Net Galley so my review can only cover these. This feels like an important book, making the reader look more closely at the history of Britain and at the racial imbalance in society that those in possession of white privilege like to avoid thinking about or pretend doesn’t exist. Eddo-Lodge has a powerful, compelling voice and touches on elements of British history that I (and many others) knew nothing about. It challenges what you think you know about the UK and race. I will certainly be purchasing the whole book straightaway as this feels like something we should all be reading.

Not a comfortable read, but a good insight into some of the less desirable history of my country. So sad and frustrating to think about what is still going on on our doorstep today. I'm giving it 5 stars, because our attention should be drawn to these issues

This sampler was very interesting and I will definitely be checking out the full book. As it is a sampler I cannot comment of the book as a whole, but from what I read I think it is well worth a read and it deals with an important topic.

Thank you to NetGalley for the first chapter sample of this book to read in exchange for an honest review.

I found the history of the treatment of black people in the UK interesting - especially the relatively recent history in the last 100 years as I like to think that we are reasonable well-integrated with different races and ethnicities compared to the USA. Maybe we are but clearly not as much as I would like.

I've only seen the first chapter but I personally feel very anxious and nervous about the whole topic as I do not want to be discriminatory and judgemental about others but I find language around this topic stressful as it keeps evolving. In my lifetime we've had people referred to as white, black, coloured, people of colour, Asian, Afro-America, etc, etc. If I use any of those terms it's invariably wrong for the current times and considered offensive by some, especially younger people who are quick to criticise. Then there are those who think we should use none of those words as saying any is offensive and racist in itself but I then struggle to describe any person to another without being offensive over their race or any physical feature including hair colour. I think I need to write a book entitled 'Why I'm No Longer Talking To Anyone Else'.

I was born in Birmingham, UK in the fifties and so have lived through much of the history in this book at a local level.
Despite this I still felt that it was really worth reading.
For instance, the history of the UK’s role in the slave industry and the treatment of Commonwealth soldiers were less well known to me and very painful to read. I hadn’t been aware that countries were incorrectly led to expect independence following their assistance in fighting for the UK.
I found the book well written and felt that the author successfully conveyed just how deep prejudice lies. I hope that it can make a difference.
Many thanks to Bloomsbury publishing and NetGalley for a copy of the book in return for an honest review.

Such a good discovery this sample of this book that I will buy as soon as possible. I am a bit ashamed to say that I am one of those people completely ignorant on Black history...I grew up on a country barely touched by the war, the slaves trade and there is barely no racial diversity. Some of the facts explained on this book are quite unbelievable and yet, they are true! Raids on black houses just because, riots, shameful job offers...It triggered my interest and I cannot wait to know more with the rest of the book. I would recommend it to anyone interested

The preface is perhaps the reason this book came to be written. I find the arguments clear, logical and mostly within reason. But whether by design or to an oversight I question the title even as a clever phrase and title. To cease to communicate encourages segregation and scope for conflict. To stop talking to white people therefore is to label a whole race as intolerant and the product of ingrained racism. It cleverly whether intended or not mirrors a white persons assumed perspective that all people of colour are the same. Sadly this view seems to be born out however evidentially. Not by slight of hand, or selective texts but by a look at Black history from a British perspective.
I liked the comments highlighting how the white focus is on watering down the issue. So Black History Month can be rebranded to dwell on less contentious matters like Black Culture.
Also the training course for the police cadets should be in anti-racism rather than the softened approach favoured by the establishment to teach the subject as multiculturalism.
Impossible to judge a book by its cover or just a preface and one chapter. But one that is well written and throws light on educational ignorance on these matters is to be embraced.
It isn’t a comfortable read but it is good to listen to an articulated point of view well argued. No white person can be proud of our failings as a country; no sense of a more open society today can airbrush the past or realistically believe the struggle is over. This book might just help readers to want to grasp the issue and be part of the evolving solution. It is good to listen through reading and I for one would like to hear more from this bright voice and informative communicator.

Personally, I found parts of this uncomfortable to read, particularly the first couple of chapters highlighted a lot of gaps in my own knowledge of my own country. I thought the book was extremely well written, each point Reni Edo-Lodge makes is well articulated and backed up with plenty of historical or statistical evidence. For what is often a difficult topic to discuss it's actually very readable, I find some non-fiction I bit too much like reading a school textbook and this was definitely not the case with this one. 5 stars.

Very interesting book on racism in Britain. Tells stories of many incidents, people's comments and government comment. Heavy reading, some heartbreaking and disbelief. This book is greatly suited to Universities and colleges where this subject is broached.