Bloody Nasty People

Daniel Trilling's 2012 book examines the evolution of far-right movements in Britain, focusing on organizations like the British National Party and English Defence League. The work is based on direct reporting and extensive interviews with both activists and their opponents. The narrative traces these movements from their origins through their peak influence in British politics and subsequent decline. Trilling documents key events, strategies, and figures while placing them in the broader context of British social and political changes. The book combines frontline journalism with historical analysis to explore what drives far-right politics in Britain. It speaks to larger questions about nationalism, identity, and political extremism in modern democratic societies.

Readers found this to be a detailed investigation into the rise of far-right movements in Britain, with clear explanations of how economic and social factors contributed to their growth. Readers appreciated: - The research and historical context provided - Clear connections between political events and far-right development - Balanced reporting without sensationalism - Focus on both street-level activism and party politics Common criticisms: - Some sections feel repetitive - Too much focus on the BNP vs other groups - Could have explored international connections more - Lacks depth on the role of social media Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (196 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.2/5 (28 reviews) Amazon US: 4.0/5 (12 reviews) Sample reader comment: "Trilling connects the dots between housing shortages, deindustrialization and the EDL's rise in a way other books haven't managed." - Goodreads reviewer

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🔹 The book's title "Bloody Nasty People" comes from a headline in The Sun newspaper about the British National Party's first electoral breakthrough in 2003. 🔹 Daniel Trilling served as Assistant Editor at the New Statesman before becoming Editor of New Humanist magazine, where he continues to report on extremism and identity politics. 🔹 The research for this book spanned multiple years and included direct interviews with far-right activists, their opponents, and communities affected by far-right politics. 🔹 The book received the 2013 Jerwood Award for Non-Fiction from the Royal Society of Literature, recognizing its contribution to understanding contemporary British politics. 🔹 Much of the reporting in the book draws from Trilling's experiences in Barking and Dagenham, London boroughs that saw significant BNP activity in the early 2000s.