James O'Brien (7) (1972–)

This is the companion piece to O'Brien's other recent book, How to Be Right. The first one was, frankly, a much better read - here O'Brien talks about the power of changing your mind and accepting that you can be wrong about things. That, of course, suggests that eventually you will be right (the topic of the first book), but the value lies in examining why one feels the way one does about different subjects. Penny drop moments abound here, and credit is given where it is due for their occurrence, whether it be from corporal punishment (smacking one's children etc) or vegetarianism or fat shaming; the only problem really is that the juiciest content comes in the first book and not so much here.

Though there are plenty of moments of value in this slim volume, too much seems to have been given over to padding, suggesting that this has been a slightly rushed affair - dare I ask if it was suggested by the publishers as a way to capitalise on the dramatic success of the first volume?… (more)