Social Critic

A recorded visit on January 28 to John Ruskin: The Power of Seeing, at Two Temple Place WC2. The review includes descriptions of exhibits by Ruskin and his associates and his contact with JMW Turner.

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Critics Circle Award, the Robert F. Kennedy Book Award, and the American Book Award, the best-selling Common Ground is much more than the story of the busing crisis in Boston as told through the experiences of three families. As Studs Terkel remarked, it's "gripping, indelible...a truth about all large American cities."

The author of the "dazzling epic" (Lev Grossman, Time) Brilliant delivers an indelible view of the ways silence affects those who seek it and those who have it imposed upon them. Through her original, intertwined histories of the penitentiary and the monastery, Jane Brox illuminates the many ways silence is far more complex than any absolute; how it has influenced ideas of the self, soul, and society.

Having been an introvert with a serious case of social anxiety most of my life, genuinely connecting with others was always extremely challenging for me. Social phobia had irreversibly damaged most areas of my life: love, friendships, career, etc. That is, until I decided to do something about it. Having had enough, I sought out the best books, seminars, and workshops that could help me develop the skill sets necessary to thrive in social circles.

Stop allowing your thoughts to be your biggest threat – harness their power instead! Do you ever feel like your own thoughts are your worst enemy? Is your inner critic holding you back from achieving your dreams? Are your negative thoughts damaging both your physical and mental health? If you have answered “Yes” to any of these questions, then it’s time to end the war with yourself.

The book takes you on a journey through the eyes of the author, Matt Kramer, a perfectionist who was once petrified of public speaking. You'll hear about his embarrassing speaking moments as well as the raw, internal thoughts that once crept into his mind time after time. Lastly, you'll know after listening to this book that there is hope for you - that public speaking is not just for the Tony Robbinses of the world. It's for anyone who dares to break through their self-imposed barriers.

The American economy is in a recession. The Republican president, with strong ties to the oil industry, is dim-witted but loyal to a fault. The US Attorney General is abusing power against American citizens. And a book, written by an outspoken political critic, bashes the president and causes an uproar among the masses. Looking back almost 100 years, a previously untold retribution scenario played itself out with United States President Warren G. Harding, Attorney General Harry Daugherty, and college professor William Estabrook Chancellor.

Does the thought of public speaking fill you with fear and self-doubt? Are you worried about being judged, forgetting your speech, or lacking the spark to captivate an audience? You're not alone, and you don't have to stay stuck. This audiobook is your guide to transforming fear into confidence and mastering the art of connection. Discover simple yet powerful techniques to elevate your public speaking skills, whether you're presenting on stage, in a virtual setting, or simply speaking up in a meeting.

Throughout recorded history, many thinkers have noted the importance of being articulate and the power of words; you'll find a few of their comments in the book. Pete, however, goes a giant step further by connecting articulation to wealth and happiness and to the clear thinking and better decisions that thwart mediocrity. He quite correctly points out that we think in words, and we need more words to think with as the issues we need to resolve become more complex, as they do as we rise in any organization and as our close relationships mature.