Books
Falling To Pieces
We are all familiar with self deception, though we may not know it by that name. Most of us, at one time or another, have encountered gamblers, alcoholics or addicts who deny the gravity of their compulsions despite evidence to the contrary. We know of the lover who excuses a partner's cheating behaviour in order to allay a break up, a terminally ill patient who refuses to accept the imminence of death despite contrary evidence, and the mediocre student who is convinced of success despite failing results. Self deception is a ubiquitous piece of human theatre.
But do we really understand what this behaviour involves and why people do it? Is self deception a rational way to behave? Indeed, is it even a coherent term in the first place? This book sets out to answer these and other questions. While the focus is primarily on philosophical analysis, the book cites recent research in cognitive psychology, particularly experiments on human motivation, perception and irrationality, in order to illuminate this subject. Some of Freud's case studies are also examined in order to explore whether psychoanalysis can shed light on self deception.
The Greatest Briton
After several decades of historical revisionism, Winston Churchill remains one of the most controversial figures in modern history. Critics allege he was a diehard imperialist and warmonger, a bitter opponent of the working classes and a maverick opportunist with an insatiable appetite for power. Despite his record as 'the man who won the war', he is often accused of being a war criminal.
This book sets out to correct the historical record in a stimulating collection of essays. Arranged in chronological order to show his life in the context of 20th century world history, these essays are both detailed and analytical while still highly accessible to a general audience. Each one answers a specific historical question about Churchill through a critical examination of the existing historical record.
The author believes that Churchill deserves to be remembered as much for his domestic policy as his wartime achievements. Of particular interest is an evaluation of his role in introducing old age pensions and unemployment benefits for the very poorest in Edwardian Britain. This, some historians argue, made the difference between revolution and evolution at the end of the war.
A special section examines his political philosophy, which is revealed to be more consistent than many imagine. While attention is given to Churchill's prodigious political accomplishments, the book also shows how he anticipated many important debates facing the world today. According to a recent review (in Finest Hour), the essays are 'literate, well-written, and cite a variety of published sources.'
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