This wide-ranging book covers politics and the economy; education, foreign policy and defence; housing and living standards; immigration and racism; law and order; the media; the remarkable resilience of the monarchy; public opinion; the retreat from empire; religion's decline and the secularisation of society; women's changing role, and much more.

The book challenges many aspects of past policies and raises doubts about the wisdom of going to war in 1939. It traces Britain's decline from world power status to being just one of the larger members of the European Union. Comparisons are made with other countries especially Germany, France and Ireland. In fact, as Britain and Ireland are so closely intertwined, Irish developments are outlined over the same period.

The book is based on a wide variety of sources, including the results from many years of interviewing numerous key figures.