Who Owns England? by Guy Shrubsole Summary
Overview of Who Owns England?
Discover who secretly owns half of England's land in Guy Shrubsole's groundbreaking expose. Less than 1% control 50% of the nation, sparking Robert Macfarlane to call it "formidable and brave." Can uncovering this 1,000-year-old power imbalance transform England's future?
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Key takeaways
The Hidden Power of Land: England's Greatest Secret
Half of England belongs to less than 1% of the population. This startling fact remains one of our nation's oldest and darkest secrets, deliberately concealed by those who benefit from it. Land isn't just another investment-it's unique. Its scarcity guarantees value, and owners profit without effort as property values rise through others' labor. Since 1995, UK land values have increased fivefold, now representing over half the nation's wealth. Why does this matter? Land ownership shapes where we live, what food we eat, and how we protect nature. Yet politicians dismiss questions about land distribution as "the politics of envy." When I began investigating out of environmental concern and frustration with housing costs, I was astonished by how difficult it was to answer a seemingly simple question: who owns England? The journey to uncover this mystery revealed that the concentration of ownership isn't just a historical curiosity-it's a living legacy that continues to shape everything from our housing crisis to our ecological collapse. Imagine waking up to discover that the fields you walk through, the forests you enjoy, even the ground beneath your home-all are controlled by a tiny elite whose power has persisted for centuries. This is the reality of England today, hidden in plain sight.
The Norman Conquest: A Thousand-Year Land Grab
Royal Wealth: The Crown's Secret Empire
Empty Mansions: How Global Wealth Transformed England
From Public to Private: The Great Land Sell-Off
The Broken Promise of Property for All
Reclaiming the Land: A Vision for the Future
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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