One man's story of social mobility and inequality - and a searching analysis of what needs to change - Hashi Mohamed's powerful and often heart-breaking story reveals the rarity of individuals crossing the great divide. The chances that a nine-year old Somali refugee from Kenya, who arrived in Britain without his mother and was brought up in poverty and deprivation, would end up writing a book like this are extremely remote. That he is also a successful barrister is equally improbable. The main lesson of his life, however, is that where the system fails to provide a leg up, individuals can make all the difference. Teachers, role models, relatives, mentors: this story is about their encouragement and support.