British Voices (2012)
“If politicians really are out of touch with what ordinary lives are like and what ordinary people are thinking, then they need look no further than British Voices.” – Author, broadcaster and journalist Joan Bakewell
“The genius of British Voices is that it allows Britons to speak for themselves, helping us to understand Britain’s modern predicament – a nation of uncertainty, anxiety and drift. It is a beautiful work.” – Anthony Painter, author and social commentator
“Future historians wishing to recapture the reality of the UK in 2011 will find British Voices pure gold . It captures mood, moment, hopes and fears – the very grain of society – and his travels took him from one end the country to the other. His book is both thought-provoking and a delight.” - Lord Peter Hennessy, leading British social historian and Atlee Professor at Queen Mary, University of London.
"Joe Hayman’s approach in writing British Voices is brave, admirable and all the more important for being authentic. The voices we hear are very real, coming from people getting on with their lives but also hamstrung by them, and worried to death in some cases by what the future might bring. Hayman both finds shafts of light and draws attention to some of the things that the political class should be more alert to: fear of the loss of identity, the sense of loss of control over one’s life; the desperate strategies to get fun where possible; and contempt for politicians.” - Baroness Kay Andrews
British Journey (2017)
“A fascinating and sometimes difficult read which brings to life the nuances and complexities of modern Britain. Every politician should read it.” – Baroness Valerie Amos, Director, SOAS, University of London
“A tremendous feat of engagement with ‘ourselves’ reviving the best traditions of Mass Observation. Hayman lends an acute ear to the UK conversation.” – David Walker, Guardian Public contributing editor
“Starting a conversation which Britain needs to have, Joe Hayman has captured a moment in time that will change the country forever. A compelling read of our time.” – Aneeta Prem, Founder, Freedom Charity
“Joe Hayman presents a careful analysis of core issues facing contemporary Britain which cannot be ignored if a just society at peace with itself is to emerge from this period of immense change.” – Lord Eames OM
“Joe Hayman raises far-reaching questions over the meaning of national and community identity, integration, inequality and disengagement from politics. The implications are disturbing not just for politicians but for anyone concerned about the health of British society.” - Peter Riddell, former political journalist
“No book could be more timely in this age of insecurity and division. The people Hayman meets are insecure, anxious and, at times, angry; their views often difficult and sometimes unpalatable. But all are weighed in the balance to produce ideas about how we move forward together” – Prof. Howard Williamson CVO CBE