--- product_id: 447257431 title: "Chums: How a Tiny Caste of Oxford Tories Took Over the UK" brand: "simon kuper" price: "VT7236" currency: VUV in_stock: true reviews_count: 8 url: https://www.desertcart.vu/products/447257431-chums-how-a-tiny-caste-of-oxford-tories-took-over store_origin: VU region: Vanuatu --- # Chums: How a Tiny Caste of Oxford Tories Took Over the UK **Brand:** simon kuper **Price:** VT7236 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Chums: How a Tiny Caste of Oxford Tories Took Over the UK by simon kuper - **How much does it cost?** VT7236 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.vu](https://www.desertcart.vu/products/447257431-chums-how-a-tiny-caste-of-oxford-tories-took-over) ## Best For - simon kuper enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted simon kuper brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description Simon KuperChums: How a Tiny Caste of Oxford Tories Took Over the UK ## Images ![Chums: How a Tiny Caste of Oxford Tories Took Over the UK - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/711z0j1ngtL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The best analysis I have ever read of the UK’s dysfunctional education system *by G***S on 9 April 2025* I bought this book in Kindle form in 2022 but have put off reading it until now, as I have read several other books about the antecedents and causes of Brexit. I have recently read Simon Kuper’s Ajax, The Dutch, The War and was very impressed - I also guessed that Simon’s background and pan-European perspective would provide different insights.I’m so pleased that I read it! Although I found the early chapters very familiar from my previous reading and thus a bit slow, it came alive and increasingly unputdownable at about half-way through and I particularly loved the last quarter of the book. The final chapter (conclusion and ideas about what to do about it) was particularly interesting to me because I have spent a lot of working life in higher education.Although the book is perhaps most attractive to anyone with an interest in, or experience of, education management, it is also a wonderful piece of social and political history and analysis - very strongly recommended! ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ The wrong type of PPE *by T***E on 29 November 2023* This potent little book is the best explanation of Brexit and the chaotic management of the Covid 19 pandemic I have read.It is also an insightful look at the Establishment.The author depicts a frightening parallel universe of Britain’s elite universities and schools in which a privileged few play at politics in preparation for a career in the House of Commons.In this world what matters is not personal belief facts or truth but the development of the linguistic and polemical skills necessary to argue for any point or perspective.This lack of focus on facts and moral belief, a view that politics and governance is merely a game without consideration for real world consequences had devastating consequences for the public during the Covid pandemic.The elite Conservative cabinet and prime minister, as was recognised in the recent enquiry, possessed the wrong skill set to cope with Covid.They possessed too much of the wrong type of PPE- an education in Philosophy, Politics and Economics- and distinct lack of scientific understanding.This led to flawed decision making an ultimately deaths.Brexit is convincingly portrayed as a project adopted by the entitled elite as a means of reasserting their dominance and freedom to rule without the socially motivated interference of Europe. Brexit is viewed as the Establishment attempting to recreate the golden era of empire, Evelyn Waugh, Tolkien and CS Lewis.Thankfully this book and the revelations of the Covid 2019 inquiry have exposed the unsuitability of the elite to govern unfettered.The author details some encouraging changes to Oxford University which should prevent any future coups by an out of touch, entitled elite. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Convincing. Things have changed, but not enough. *by B***R on 22 February 2023* Still, a ruling class which looks after it's own interests and is self-perpetuating runs the UK largely for its own purposes. This book targets a group who are mostly part of a well-know, right-leaning clique as a result of where they were educated. Many are in the Tory party, but it points at a wider societal problem.Either way, we end up with a detached caste driven by myths of King Arthur and England's green and pleasant land (which is for their own use, primarily) mis-ruling the country. Solutions aren't offered, but the evidence presented suggests: as long as the rich can pay for their kids to get on to a privileged bandwagon, the cycle of class separation and differentiated opportunity will only continue.This book is not particularly for socialists. It provides evidence for anyone what needs to change for people, wherever they come from, to get to the top. Where we all need them.Interesting, well researched, entertainingly written. ## Frequently Bought Together - Chums: How a Tiny Caste of Oxford Tories Took Over the UK - Good Chaps: How Corrupt Politicians Broke Our Law and Institutions - And What We Can Do About It - How They Broke Britain --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.vu/products/447257431-chums-how-a-tiny-caste-of-oxford-tories-took-over](https://www.desertcart.vu/products/447257431-chums-how-a-tiny-caste-of-oxford-tories-took-over) --- *Product available on Desertcart Vanuatu* *Store origin: VU* *Last updated: 2026-06-08*