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Guardian journalist Lynsey Hanley’s book about post-war housing estates and the effect they’ve had on the people who live on them has impressed reviewers with its engaging tone and insightful commentary. All the more so because of its apparent authenticity. Hanley herself lives on an east London estate and as a child grew up in Area 4, The Wood, a sprawling council estate in Birmingham.

Hanley largely praises the intentions of Britain’s post-war housing visionaries, whose goal was to provide every family with a comfortable home. But she criticises the implementation and the way the original ideas veered so far off course.

She believes that council estates are now viewed as failures and she blames the press for inculcating these negative stereotypes. She writes: ‘Estates are dangerous (the press) implies. Don’t visit them and whatever you do, work as hard as you can so you don’t have to live on them. All the people on estates are failures.’

Why is the term ‘council estate’ always preceded by the word ‘tough’, she asks.

Hanley is not afraid to point the finger of blame – particularly at her most hated type of home – the high-rise flat. Building firms, planners and architects are held to account for fostering a high-rise culture which she believes is alien and inappropriate to Britain.

Nothing new there then, but because of her background her perspective is refreshing. Whether you want to take Hanley’s word as gospel, however is up to you. File under opinion rather than fact.