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What’s Going On?: The Meanderings of a Comic Mind in Confusion
Comedian Mark Steel has spent most of his life a committed, signed-up member of the Socialist Workers Party. The Labour Party coming to power in 1997 could have been the start of a new political dawn for Mark and for Britain. But instead, big business and war-mongering thrived under New Labour, and in many ways the working class seemed to become more marginalised. Petty bickering and in-fighting racked the SWP, numbers dwindled horribly, socialism became a dirty word and Mark Steel began to think the unthinkable . . . do I really want to belong to this rabble anymore?
At the same time, entering his forties, Mark's personal life began to disintegrate. Spending many sleepless nights on the sofa, watching inane cable TV into the early hours of the morning, Mark asked himself the question, 'What is Going On?' In a book that goes right to the heart of Britain and the problems it suffers today, Mark wonders why over a million people marching in London couldn't stop the war in Iraq, why supermarkets are killing the small town centres of Britain and why George Galloway went on Celebrity Big Brother destroying any political credibility he may have had in the blink of a cat's eye. Bitingly funny, poignant, sharply observed and very much of the moment, this is Mark Steel at his brilliantly intelligent best.
At the same time, entering his forties, Mark's personal life began to disintegrate. Spending many sleepless nights on the sofa, watching inane cable TV into the early hours of the morning, Mark asked himself the question, 'What is Going On?' In a book that goes right to the heart of Britain and the problems it suffers today, Mark wonders why over a million people marching in London couldn't stop the war in Iraq, why supermarkets are killing the small town centres of Britain and why George Galloway went on Celebrity Big Brother destroying any political credibility he may have had in the blink of a cat's eye. Bitingly funny, poignant, sharply observed and very much of the moment, this is Mark Steel at his brilliantly intelligent best.
256 pages, Paperback
First published August 4, 2008
14 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Mark Steel
37 books54 followersMark Steel (born 4 July 1960) is a British socialist columnist, author and comedian. He was a member of the Socialist Workers Party from his late teens until 2007.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
February 26, 2012
I devote a large percentage of my viewing activities to political satire, probably more than is culturally healthy, and do so now almost on autopilot whenever I have mealtimes to kill or crave laughter. This comedian and activist I relish in particular, partly through his brilliant lecture series on philosophers, poets and troublemakers, The Mark Steel Lectures, 96% of which are available on the old YouTube device. The design of this book irritates me. Why can’t any book by a comedian—especially one containing in-depth cultural and political analysis—be marketed without contrived wackiness? Anyway, it’s a vastly entertaining blend of scathing anti-capitalist invective, touching personal insight, and assorted cultural meanderings on events throughout the noughties.
November 26, 2013
This is the political book I have most enjoyed so far. It’s one of the few to have offered any kind of suggested ways forwards. It is the first political book I’ve read that hasn’t depressed the hell out of me. It also helps that the author has a sense of humour and an eye for the ridiculous. The analogies are pant wettingly funny, and disturbingly accurate at times. We’ve got so complacent about the many things that are wrong. Pointing and laughing can be a good antidote to that.
This, is the best handbook for revolution that I’ve thus far found. Revolution based on getting our priorities straight, resisting the crap, and having a good laugh. The kind of revolution where a pint or a nice cake remain viable options and no one has to shoot anyone for not having proper revolutionary spirit. A sense that maybe we could fix things, and improve the world, and some reminders that actually we’ve made a lot of progress, even if it does feel like two steps forward, one step back sometimes. Nicely done.
This, is the best handbook for revolution that I’ve thus far found. Revolution based on getting our priorities straight, resisting the crap, and having a good laugh. The kind of revolution where a pint or a nice cake remain viable options and no one has to shoot anyone for not having proper revolutionary spirit. A sense that maybe we could fix things, and improve the world, and some reminders that actually we’ve made a lot of progress, even if it does feel like two steps forward, one step back sometimes. Nicely done.
November 11, 2015
Mark Steel's 2008 book tries to do several things at once, but as the "meandering" and "confusion" mentioned on the cover indicate, the book really never comes together as a coherent whole. Which is a pity, because Steel is generally a funny and clever man. A disappointing effort.
Full review here: https://bibliomaneblog.wordpress.com/...
Full review here: https://bibliomaneblog.wordpress.com/...
August 20, 2024
Despite having been written over 10 years ago this book didn't feel outdated because many of the topics and events still feel pertinent today. The main focus of the book is Mark’s relationship with the Socialist Workers Party and the subsequent of his relationship with the party but alongside this (but to a much lesser extent) the book covers the breakdown of his marriage, I think the two were meant to parallel one another although I felt they were more two separate entities.
The book covers topics such as the debate between sending your children to public or state school, discussion of the class divisions which still exist with the UK, privatisation of public services and the movement towards profit being the sole motivation for most businesses. The Iraq war is also a topic which appears frequently throughout the book and as I was slightly too young to understand the finer detail around the politics involved at the time it was interesting to read about it here.
Socialism really is the main character within the book, it forms Mark’s personal belief system and it is from this angle that he discusses all the topics within the book. I really enjoyed reading about Socialism, I had previously read a lot about it but typically when Socialism is discussed it is in relation to Russia and the Soviet Union and whilst this is a real-life example of Socialism in action it was also an extreme. Reading about Socialism in a more moderate setting was therefore interesting and enlightening, Mark reminisces and discusses his 25 years as a member of the SWP and because I don’t remember the days when the SWP were more prominent in the UK it was interesting to read about their presence in the 1970’s and 1980’s.
Some reviewers have said that they didn’t like the sections on the breakdown of Mark’s marriage, I did enjoy them although enjoy doesn’t feel like the correct word to use. They are different from the rest of the book but they are sporadic and add a different angle to the book. Mark wrote very touchingly about the relationship breakdown and I liked his writing, it is the first of his books that I have read and I liked that he wrote in an accessible way. Within the book Mark commented that when people have in-depth knowledge of a particular subject that he had often found that attempt to over-complicate the subject and alienate the recipient and ultimately gate-keep the subject in order to keep them from understanding. Mark succeeded in doing the opposite of that within this book, he wrote in an accessible way and took topics that may seem as though they would be dry and injected humour and relatable anecdotes to them.
There are some really good points made throughout the book and although Mark has now left the SWP I liked that it even offered some solutions and ways forward for Socialism. It is a nice book and I think most readers would come away with a better understanding of Socialism and the attributes of it that are more positive than the ones predominantly fed to us in the media. I found myself wanting to read an updated version of this book to get Mark’s opinions on similar topics against today’s political backdrop and also to get his perspective on where we find ourselves politically and socially in 2024. When Mark wrote this book in 2008 I doubt he envisaged a world where Donald Trump was the American president or that most of the world had been put into lockdown for almost a year.
The book covers topics such as the debate between sending your children to public or state school, discussion of the class divisions which still exist with the UK, privatisation of public services and the movement towards profit being the sole motivation for most businesses. The Iraq war is also a topic which appears frequently throughout the book and as I was slightly too young to understand the finer detail around the politics involved at the time it was interesting to read about it here.
Socialism really is the main character within the book, it forms Mark’s personal belief system and it is from this angle that he discusses all the topics within the book. I really enjoyed reading about Socialism, I had previously read a lot about it but typically when Socialism is discussed it is in relation to Russia and the Soviet Union and whilst this is a real-life example of Socialism in action it was also an extreme. Reading about Socialism in a more moderate setting was therefore interesting and enlightening, Mark reminisces and discusses his 25 years as a member of the SWP and because I don’t remember the days when the SWP were more prominent in the UK it was interesting to read about their presence in the 1970’s and 1980’s.
Some reviewers have said that they didn’t like the sections on the breakdown of Mark’s marriage, I did enjoy them although enjoy doesn’t feel like the correct word to use. They are different from the rest of the book but they are sporadic and add a different angle to the book. Mark wrote very touchingly about the relationship breakdown and I liked his writing, it is the first of his books that I have read and I liked that he wrote in an accessible way. Within the book Mark commented that when people have in-depth knowledge of a particular subject that he had often found that attempt to over-complicate the subject and alienate the recipient and ultimately gate-keep the subject in order to keep them from understanding. Mark succeeded in doing the opposite of that within this book, he wrote in an accessible way and took topics that may seem as though they would be dry and injected humour and relatable anecdotes to them.
There are some really good points made throughout the book and although Mark has now left the SWP I liked that it even offered some solutions and ways forward for Socialism. It is a nice book and I think most readers would come away with a better understanding of Socialism and the attributes of it that are more positive than the ones predominantly fed to us in the media. I found myself wanting to read an updated version of this book to get Mark’s opinions on similar topics against today’s political backdrop and also to get his perspective on where we find ourselves politically and socially in 2024. When Mark wrote this book in 2008 I doubt he envisaged a world where Donald Trump was the American president or that most of the world had been put into lockdown for almost a year.
March 21, 2025
Anyone who has been involved with the left in Britain over the past few decades needs a sense of humour. When I read this book I laughed out loud in places, particularly having met some of the characters mentioned and having some familiarity with many of the events discussed in it. Steel has a talent for rendering the pomposity of many political people brutally plain to see. One does wonder, however, how his ex-wife might have felt about his account of their personal life. Quite predictably and completely understandably, his finely-attuned bullshit antenae alongside his social position as a reasonably successful figure in a comedy scene that has moved rapidly to centrist political ground of late has seen Mark Steel lose the fire that once underpinned his comedy. Worth a read if you too are going through a mid-life crisis.
January 31, 2018
Telling the parallel stories of two breakups - with his partner and his party - Mark Steel, as one would expect, manages to infuse both with his trademark humour, using hyperbolic analogy to comic affect. Often wistful but never sentimental, he turns an unwavering eye on the reasons for the breakdown of both relationships and is honest about each. His analysis of class in the UK is more pertinent than ever and I admire that he still has hope that something can be done to halt the rapacious advance of the profit motive. I am more inclined to side with Frankie Boyle's bleak view of our future but am glad there are still Mark Steels out there fighting the good fight.
October 2, 2022
Meanderings is right, although the history and conjecture are both detailed and comic at times it is a monumentally varied book.
Reading it 15 years on, much of the political is simply tidying up and improving my existing knowledge. But holding relevance today in understanding some of the reasons for how we got where we are right now (Truss, post-Johnson).
The rumbling bitter edge of the start of divorce is uncomfortable reading, smoothed over in the acknowledgements it seems the book was, in fact, therapy.
Reading it 15 years on, much of the political is simply tidying up and improving my existing knowledge. But holding relevance today in understanding some of the reasons for how we got where we are right now (Truss, post-Johnson).
The rumbling bitter edge of the start of divorce is uncomfortable reading, smoothed over in the acknowledgements it seems the book was, in fact, therapy.
February 22, 2020
Patchy but poignant memoir of middle age
Mark Steel is a charming but arrogant git: living in a sect who smugly achieved little apart from being disruptive he rants against the stupidity of the world. His book recounts his faking out of love with his partner and his party. Witty, sometimes very fuuny, his humanity and with makes you forgive his hateful politics.
Mark Steel is a charming but arrogant git: living in a sect who smugly achieved little apart from being disruptive he rants against the stupidity of the world. His book recounts his faking out of love with his partner and his party. Witty, sometimes very fuuny, his humanity and with makes you forgive his hateful politics.
March 26, 2013
The book is an autobiography telling 2 main stories that are intertwine throughout the book with smaller anecdotes justifying Mark Steel’s views.
The first story is the breakdown of his marriage, Steel writes it very well, I was taken in by the story, most of the relating anecdotes are very funny and although bits of the story that make you depressed, the next page has one throwaway line that has you laughing aloud.
The Second general story in the book is about another crisis in Steel’s life; his disillusionment with the old hard left in British politics and his abandonment of the Socialist Worker’s Party (SWP) after over 25 years. For those of us who have been interested in the left, the story is very poignant. I proudly describe myself as left wing but despite this I have never wanted to join a left wing group because there membership is depressingly small. I once went to a local talk by a branch of the SWP (but I’m not sure it was them as it was about 5 years back) on the 90th anniversary of the Russian revolution and its impact on European socialism, however I was put off, there were only about 5 others in the room and I was the youngest one by almost double my own age (I was 18 at the time and the next youngest member was in his late 30 or early 40s). Steel paints a picture that could justify the stereotype of socialist organisation in the country; small, petty organisations that spend their time squabbling with similar organisations (think the Judean Peoples Front) Steel’s stories are hilariously depressing, the organisation one week working closely with fellow organisation and the next week scathingly denouncing them in Trotskyite language. Finally Steel has enough of this and leaves the organisation.
Finally the book is full of rants justifying Mark Steel’s political view and anecdotes from his life, my personal favourites being the IKEA one and the one where he is playing “I’m so bored of the USA” during a 3 minute silence then realising the song is only 2 minutes 42 seconds long. These will keep the reader smiling and laughing throughout as well as educating the reader about the occasional statistic.
Despite all the laughs however I can only give it 4 stars, the book has one weakness in my eyes, it jumps around too much, breaking up long stories with shorter anecdotes and short political rants before it then jumps back 10 pages later. As a result its use of the term “meanderings” in the sub title is very fitting. I don’t think this really harms the book over all but it does annoy me slightly and that is why I knocked off a star. Other then that it’s a brilliant read that I’d recommend to anyone. Especially those who want to learn what real socialism can be.
The first story is the breakdown of his marriage, Steel writes it very well, I was taken in by the story, most of the relating anecdotes are very funny and although bits of the story that make you depressed, the next page has one throwaway line that has you laughing aloud.
The Second general story in the book is about another crisis in Steel’s life; his disillusionment with the old hard left in British politics and his abandonment of the Socialist Worker’s Party (SWP) after over 25 years. For those of us who have been interested in the left, the story is very poignant. I proudly describe myself as left wing but despite this I have never wanted to join a left wing group because there membership is depressingly small. I once went to a local talk by a branch of the SWP (but I’m not sure it was them as it was about 5 years back) on the 90th anniversary of the Russian revolution and its impact on European socialism, however I was put off, there were only about 5 others in the room and I was the youngest one by almost double my own age (I was 18 at the time and the next youngest member was in his late 30 or early 40s). Steel paints a picture that could justify the stereotype of socialist organisation in the country; small, petty organisations that spend their time squabbling with similar organisations (think the Judean Peoples Front) Steel’s stories are hilariously depressing, the organisation one week working closely with fellow organisation and the next week scathingly denouncing them in Trotskyite language. Finally Steel has enough of this and leaves the organisation.
Finally the book is full of rants justifying Mark Steel’s political view and anecdotes from his life, my personal favourites being the IKEA one and the one where he is playing “I’m so bored of the USA” during a 3 minute silence then realising the song is only 2 minutes 42 seconds long. These will keep the reader smiling and laughing throughout as well as educating the reader about the occasional statistic.
Despite all the laughs however I can only give it 4 stars, the book has one weakness in my eyes, it jumps around too much, breaking up long stories with shorter anecdotes and short political rants before it then jumps back 10 pages later. As a result its use of the term “meanderings” in the sub title is very fitting. I don’t think this really harms the book over all but it does annoy me slightly and that is why I knocked off a star. Other then that it’s a brilliant read that I’d recommend to anyone. Especially those who want to learn what real socialism can be.
October 10, 2013
HIGH TENSION STEEL
It's possible that even the hardest of hard right-wingers will feel some sympathy for comedian Mark Steels plight as he stumbles through his 40's. His relationship has gone belly up, the political party that he has been a member of since his teens has falling apart, one of his close political comrades has died, and if that's not bad enough, well . . . he's became a good friend of Bob Monkhouse.
Mark Steel weaves the belly laughs in with the more melancholy moments and creates a splendid memoir of his confused meanderings through the first half dozen or so years of the last decade. Whether he is talking about his failing relationship or his two kids, his experience of campaigning against the war in Iraq, super-markets, celebrities or schools, or even George Galloway there's a plentiful supply of wit and even a little wisdom too.
I found this one hard to put down and recommend keeping it aside for a long, empty and chore free afternoon. I doubt you'll be disappointed.
It's possible that even the hardest of hard right-wingers will feel some sympathy for comedian Mark Steels plight as he stumbles through his 40's. His relationship has gone belly up, the political party that he has been a member of since his teens has falling apart, one of his close political comrades has died, and if that's not bad enough, well . . . he's became a good friend of Bob Monkhouse.
Mark Steel weaves the belly laughs in with the more melancholy moments and creates a splendid memoir of his confused meanderings through the first half dozen or so years of the last decade. Whether he is talking about his failing relationship or his two kids, his experience of campaigning against the war in Iraq, super-markets, celebrities or schools, or even George Galloway there's a plentiful supply of wit and even a little wisdom too.
I found this one hard to put down and recommend keeping it aside for a long, empty and chore free afternoon. I doubt you'll be disappointed.
January 31, 2016
In the genre of 'autobiographical books by comedians which also have a message', this was pretty strong. Despite Steel's views on socialism and globalisation not being ones I agree wholeheartedly with, he did have a lot of intelligent things to say about politics and current affairs since the coming of New Labour, and it had a balance which worked pretty well with regards serious points, personal stuff, and funny/witty satire and surrealism.
The balance tipped a bit in the final quarter, and some of his arguments felt a bit unconvincing and repetitive in the sense that most paragraphs would make a serious point, then say "..which is like [ludicrous thing] doing [ludicrous thing]!" in an exaggerated manner which felt a bit like the laziest sort of satire. He singularly failed to convince me that capitalism and the consumer world is necessarily bad, and socialism is necessarily good (in fact, a lot of the discussion of socialism focussed on the pettiness of socialist organisations) but he wrote a very readable, clever, and often funny book.
The balance tipped a bit in the final quarter, and some of his arguments felt a bit unconvincing and repetitive in the sense that most paragraphs would make a serious point, then say "..which is like [ludicrous thing] doing [ludicrous thing]!" in an exaggerated manner which felt a bit like the laziest sort of satire. He singularly failed to convince me that capitalism and the consumer world is necessarily bad, and socialism is necessarily good (in fact, a lot of the discussion of socialism focussed on the pettiness of socialist organisations) but he wrote a very readable, clever, and often funny book.
May 17, 2011
A very entertaining read which should make you cackle out loud if you've caught yourself swearing at advertisments on a fairly regular basis. Steel is a wildly entertaining left wing comedian who writes regularly for the Guardian UK, perhaps now column has moved to The Independent. His history of an obviously daunting mid-life crisis (breaking up with mother of his children on top of leaving 20 year connection to socialist grouping) is admirably free of maudlin self-pity, and he always finds things to keep himself laughing no matter how grim things get. Best of all, after leaving the progressively more ridiculous SWP he's still on the side of the underdogs of the world and absolutely disinterested in currying favor with those in power.
He's also incredibly sweet about his kids without ever being remotely cloying. I'm looking forward to listening to a trove of his BBC pieces on philosophy, history and assorted cultural matters, mp3s are at his website.
He's also incredibly sweet about his kids without ever being remotely cloying. I'm looking forward to listening to a trove of his BBC pieces on philosophy, history and assorted cultural matters, mp3s are at his website.
November 2, 2012
Very funny, and addresses a variety of issues that anyone familiar with left-wing politics should know quite well. From the sectarianism to strange left-wing political culture, Mark Steel takes a very entertaining but critical look at his (and my own) tradition. He weaves a lively tale of corporate domination (his anecdote on IKEA had me laughing endlessly) of every aspect of our lives, and the often valiant but misguided attempts to change it. The primary theme or moral I found in this book, however, was that we on the left shouldn't eat ourselves from the inside out. We have enough on our plate already, let's not make each other the enemies as well.
May 10, 2013
This can be seen as a companion to his earlier volume.
This is interesting you feel Steels pain as some of the things he cherishes seem to be falling apart. Steel is able to apply his own world weary view to events, explain why he feels the way he does and show annoyance over the things that dont in his mind work.
He is a very strong writer , you hear his voice and feel that it is authentic and real. If you wwant to read a social history of the 80's to the present and especially one that deals with the UK left wing then this may be the best thing you may ever read.
This is interesting you feel Steels pain as some of the things he cherishes seem to be falling apart. Steel is able to apply his own world weary view to events, explain why he feels the way he does and show annoyance over the things that dont in his mind work.
He is a very strong writer , you hear his voice and feel that it is authentic and real. If you wwant to read a social history of the 80's to the present and especially one that deals with the UK left wing then this may be the best thing you may ever read.
December 14, 2014
A good read for people roughly in the same age bracket and with the same political sympathies as it trots you through recent political times and how faith with New Labour was lost and the SWP STILL couldn't get any new members. He writes well and it's amusing (rather than laugh out loud funny) but I found the humour becomes a bit predictable after a while ie take an example and then exaggerate it outrageously. I enjoyed his take on the morals of reality TV and the downfall of the Respect party and new activism via social media.
January 28, 2016
One part social commentary and one part memoir of a troubled time this book was quickly read. I laughed a great deal but I understand what another reviewer said about his gags usually coming from a place of exaggeration. It could get repetitive for some but I found myself entertained through out. His observations on the current state of politics and his views on the hallowed place profit must have in order for anything to be considered feasible or attractive rang through to me but I'm just a woolly liberal type anyway ;p
June 21, 2010
Some good jokes in here and some great insights. However, somethings just do not go together. Basically, it is a hodgepodge - bits of standup routine - bits of current affairs and the the demise of the two great loves of his life (in far too much detail). When a comic gets too self-deprecating and just plain sad, somehow the jokes do not work. In Marksteelese "It's like a BP cut and paste job , with all the walruses left in".
February 17, 2011
I picked this up on a whim, and it wasn't exactly what I expected it to be.
Mark Steel had always seemed very assured and committed in his viewpoint to me. This book shows how he hit his 40s and then life began to unravel, and he begins to question his beliefs and approach to life.
It's obviously quite raw and painful in places, and the humour is very self deprecating.
It's an interesting read, to see someone apparently so committed begin to lose that verve and passion.
Mark Steel had always seemed very assured and committed in his viewpoint to me. This book shows how he hit his 40s and then life began to unravel, and he begins to question his beliefs and approach to life.
It's obviously quite raw and painful in places, and the humour is very self deprecating.
It's an interesting read, to see someone apparently so committed begin to lose that verve and passion.
February 7, 2012
I've always had a soft spot for Mark Steel, since watching his lecture series some years ago. The intelligence, warmth and humanity of the man shine through every word of this book, which as a bonus is utterly, utterly, hilarious. If only the Left was more like him and Tony Benn, I'd follow it anywhere. A theme of the book is the split from his wife which is handled brilliantly - if he continues to put out material like this, I'll marry him myself.
January 14, 2009
Very good. Easy to read. And for me it has so many references that I understand that it has a cosy comforting effect - even when describing all the woes of both the world (some very astutely indeed) and his personal life, the familiarity makes it easy to read.
So - if you're a british, left wing, forty-something you'll probably like it too. And of not then you might like it anyway.
So - if you're a british, left wing, forty-something you'll probably like it too. And of not then you might like it anyway.
June 22, 2010
At first it seems to be a rambling account of early 2000's politics interspersed with vague references to his marriage breakup, but I only realised quite late on that the author is paralleling his disillusionment with the Socialist Workers Party to his marriage breakdown.
Neither part is very successful. although I did learn a bit about the politics of a period when I wasn't paying attention.
Neither part is very successful. although I did learn a bit about the politics of a period when I wasn't paying attention.
December 6, 2010
Very funny description of the confusion felt by a 40 something lefty coming to terms with today's realities. Corporations in control of everything, the left becoming irrelevant, wars proceeding despite massive opposition and failure of his marriage... Throughout all this he finds ways to laugh and find reasons to keep fighting.
January 13, 2011
A fantastic book, he describes wonderfully how your perspective changes as you age with the realisation that you can measure your life in the number of bananas you will eat. Going to be very picky about my bananas now.
September 17, 2013
I finished this a while ago- and I can't remember anything about it!
I would guess it was very good- but I honestly can't remember, which makes me think it wasn't as unusual as I would imagine it should be.
I think I'll have to re read it sometime!
I would guess it was very good- but I honestly can't remember, which makes me think it wasn't as unusual as I would imagine it should be.
I think I'll have to re read it sometime!
October 14, 2010
Inspiring.
August 11, 2011
A self-affirming volume for those who feel there's no-one left (either sense of the word) to vote for, and are still mystified at the disappearence of serious or significant socialist slants.
April 5, 2012
Fantastic book! Society does need a way out of the mess it has found itself in and Mr Steel is right that there needs to be a more unified Left in the UK.
February 9, 2016
Mark Steel gives a refreshingly alternative view of the world without stooping to tribalism and bigotry. His writing is also very witty and observant.
August 7, 2011
Lots of facts, but very entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews