Summary of Will Storr's The Status Game

Book excerpt: Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 Ben was 14 when he attacked and killed a boy who was 11. He called 999 and said he’d killed a boy, but didn’t explain why. He was sentenced to an indefinite term at Her Majesty’s pleasure. In prison, they treated him as if he was worthless. He attempted escapes and tried to starve himself to death. #2 By 2010, Ben had been in prison for thirty years, three times longer than the minimum tariff demanded. He should have been released decades ago. But every time an opportunity for parole came up, he managed to supply the prison service with a new reason to deny it. #3 When you take a human and strip them of all the esteem they desire, how do they save themselves. They build a life for themselves. They become famous for fighting the system, and they are. #4 We rarely say that we do the things we do because of status. We rarely admit to being motivated by improving our rank. We readily recognize it in others and even use it as an insult.