we all need to read this book - Rated 
It will open your eyes to the hidden deprivation in this country and change your perspective on things. poverty is not the fault of the poor.
a tour of what you don't notice or don't want to see - Rated
This is very readable, and very important - a Dickensian look at modern Britain's 'underclass', though thankfully not as long-winded. The part I found most fascinating was about the estates in Birmingham that had become no-go areas for the police; I had heard some snippets on the radio and tv, wondered briefly how that worked, then put it to the back of my mind - it's fascinating to have the story fleshed out, and it's a great piece of research, as is the whole book.
I was tickled pink to find someone I know slightly in the book - the guy who toured him round London's King's X, a friend of a friend, a likeable moocher and unusually peaceful. That's another story, but suffice to say that I found a world under my nose that I had never suspected and, from what I know of it, it's actually much worse than Davies describes or possibly imagines. So I would suggest to any readers that think he may be sensationalising that, in fact, he has only seen the tip of the iceberg.
All in all a magnificent piece of research, vital reading, especially for those who have no contact with this world - you'll see things differently when you pass through a city centre, or railway station. Can't recommend this enough.
fascinating if depressing read - Rated 
As a social work student, I found this book by accident in my uni. library and thought it would be relevant to my course. It is a fascniating, if thoroguhly depressing read as it dwells one hundred percent on the darkest side of Britain - hence its title. Although he goes in depth into the background of the problems (I found the chapters on the Jamacains the most interesting as it helps to build a background as to why so many are involved in crime) I do not agree with his simplistic view that all these problems are caused purely by poverty. Being poor alone does not make you become a criminal, an abuser, a rent boy and so on - people have been (and in many contries still are) much poorer than the poor of UK today, without going to those depths. A bit more enquiry into WHY these people have no self worth or morals whatsover would have been interesting.
Journalistic - Rated
For me, the journalistic, rather than academic style spoils the book slightly, though I guess that is the point. It is rather sensationalised though, and really much of the subject matter is reality rather than sensation.
It is definitely a piece of "media" rather than a factual appraisal in my mind, based on the way stories are presented; particularly the issues surrounding the disturbances in Hyde Park, about which one story of the events and tensions is presented as fact, when (for those such as myself who lived in the area) there was a much more complex discourse.
It is still a very good read though, and may open some peoples eyes.
This chap did his own research in the field he is no arm chair academic - Rated
A gruelling tale of sink estates, prostitution, drugs and general degradation.Hidden Britain author writes for Guardian also.This book is no mere academic pondering the author as trod the streets to obtain his facts, it is the picture of Britain now and more worryingly the picture of Britain in the future as governments seem reluctant to interrupt this paticular trend.
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