Who are we ; and should it matter in the 21st century ?

'We are more alike than we are unalike. But the way we are unalike matters. To be male in Saudi Arabia, Jewish in Israel or white in Europe confers certain powers and privileges that those with other identities do not have. In other words identity can represent a material fact in itself.' Gary Younge demonstrates, in his urgent and brilliantly illuminating new book, that how we define ourselves affects every part of our lives : from violence on the streets to international terrorism ; from changes in our laws to whom we elect; from our personal safety to military occupations. Moving between fascinating memoir and searing analysis, from beauty contests in Ireland to the personal views of Tiger Woods, from the author's own terrifying student days in Paris to the truth behind the Danish cartoons controversy, Gary Younge makes surprising and enlightening connections and a devastating critique of the way our society really works.