Noreena Hertz - The Lonely Century

Described as one of the worlds most inspiring women by Vogue and one of the worlds leading thinkers by the Observer, Noreena Hertz has an impressive track record in predicting global trends. She advises a select group of the worlds leading business and political figures on strategy, economic and geo-political risk, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, millennials and post-millennials. Having graduated from university aged just nineteen, Noreena went on to complete a PhD from Cambridge University and has an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. After ten years at the University of Cambridge as Associate Director of the Centre for International Business and Management, in 2014 she moved to University College London where she is an Honorary Professor. Her best-selling books, The Silent Takeover, IOU: The Debt Threat and Eyes Wide Open are published in 23 countries.

Russian Business Relationships in the Wake of Reform

The Silent Takeover: Global Capitalism and the Death of Democracy

I.O.U: The Debt Threat and Why We Must Defuse It

Eyes Wide Open: How to Make Smart Decisions in a Confusing World

Fascinating, timely and important. Noreena Hertz zeroes in on one of the central problems of our age. Seeing the problem lurking at the back of your head dragged into the light will actually make you feel a tad less lonely. Read it, then pass it on to a friend. If you can find one.

Charlie Brooker

Highly original, persuasive and thought-provoking, The Lonely Century is both a landmark book and a page-turner. It is essential reading for anyone who wants to make sense of our complex times and understand where we are heading. Destined to be a classic, I couldnt recommend it more strongly.

Nouriel Roubini, Professor of Economics, New York University

The Lonely Century is a book made for this moment. Hertz shows a new generation of leaders how we can turn the age of social distancing into a turning point in our fight against the loneliness epidemic. I highly recommend it.

Mariana Mazzucato, Professor in the Economics of Innovation and Public Value at University College London and author of The Value of Everything

An indispensable, engaging and brilliant book about the pervasiveness of loneliness in the twenty-first century and its far-reaching impact. It reveals the way that loneliness is political as well as personal, playing a powerful role in everything from the rise of extremist politics to the vibrancy of our communities to how we relate to those we love. With its powerful vision for how we can come together again, ultimately it is a hopeful book that couldnt be more important or timely.

Philippa Perry, author of The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (and Your Children Will be Glad That You Did)

We are living in an age where we have forgotten a fundamental truth about humankind that is as old as the Hebrew Bible itself: that we were not meant to live alone. In The Lonely Century, Noreena Hertz recognises this and provides an enlightening, engaging and compelling analysis of the dangers posed by the loneliness pandemic not just to our individual health and happiness, but to our collective ability to reinvigorate society and tackle the many challenges we face today.

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

In this hugely stimulating and ambitious book, Noreena Hertz provides a powerful account of the causes and consequences of the loneliness pandemic that has swept across the globe. Filled with terrifying facts, eye-catching stories and bold ideas, it is a must-read for anybody concerned about the post-Covid-19 world that we are building.

Carl Frey, Institute for New Economic Thinking, University of Oxford

In The Lonely Century, Noreena Hertz delivers a compelling vision for how we can bridge our many divides at this time of great change and disruption. Passionately argued and deeply researched, this book is for everyone who wants to build a healthier and more connected world.

Arianna Huffington, co-founder of the Huffington Post and author of Thrive

Social connections are vital for our health and well-being, but loneliness is on the rise globally, especially with the measures introduced to contain the spread of Covid-19. In this captivating book Noreena Hertz describes the physical, mental, economic and societal effects of loneliness, and not only provides a fascinating examination of the evidence, but also a rousing call for action to governments, businesses, society and individuals to address and mitigate the loneliness crisis and build a more inclusive and kinder world.

Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, Professor of Psychology, University of Cambridge

Brilliant and full of captivating stories about the power of human connection in our lives. A truly engrossing and important book that left me feeling both wiser and more hopeful!

Brian Grazer, film and TV producer

A fascinating and original book about one of the greatest challenges of our time the growing global crisis of loneliness and a clear and inspiring vision of how we can respond.

Daniel Susskind, fellow at the University of Oxford and author of A World Without Work

Were surrounded by communication technologies and social media, yet loneliness is taking a huge toll on our economy, our health and our democracy. With a rare combination of rigorous research and powerful insights, Noreena Hertz masterfully explains the many facets of our Lonely Century and how we can do better, as individuals and as a society. Highly Recommended!

Erik Brynjolfsson, Professor at Stanford University and co-author of The Second Machine Age

www.sceptrebooks.co.uk

First published in Great Britain in 2020 by Sceptre

An Imprint of Hodder & Stoughton

An Hachette UK company

Copyright Noreena Hertz 2020

The right of Noreena Hertz to be identified as the Author of the Work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

This is a work of non-fiction. Nonetheless, some of the names and personal characteristics of the individuals involved have been changed in order to disguise their identities. Any resulting resemblance to persons living or dead is entirely coincidental and unintentional.

All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library

Hardback ISBN 9781529329254

eBook ISBN 9781529329285

Hodder & Stoughton Ltd

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50 Victoria Embankment

London EC4Y 0DZ

www.sceptrebooks.co.uk

To Danny

For everything

Curled up against him, my chest pressing against his back, our breathing synchronised, our feet intertwined. This is how we have slept for over 5,000 nights.