We’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Finch. We invite you to take her course in Culture and Civilisation. She will change the way you see the world.
‘The task of the present is to correct our understanding of the past. And that task becomes the more urgent when the past cannot be corrected.’ Elizabeth Finch was a teacher, a thinker, an inspiration – always rigorous, always thoughtful. With measured empathy, she guided her students to develop meaningful ideas and to discover their centres of seriousness.
As Neil, a former student, unpacks Elizabeth’s notebooks, and remembers her uniquely inquisitive mind, her passion for reason resonates through the years. Her ideas unlock the philosophies of the past, and explore key events that show us how to make sense of our lives today. And underpinning them all is the story of J – Julian the Apostate, her historical soulmate and fellow challenger to the institutional and monotheistic thinking that has always threatened to divide us.
This is more than a novel. It’s a loving tribute to philosophy, a careful evaluation of history, an invitation to think for ourselves. It’s a moment to reflect and to gently explore our own theories and assumptions.
Well-illustrated guide to 50 of Europe’s most beautiful and rewarding hikes, graded by difficulty and duration, with plenty of practical information and maps.
Illustrated tours of the continent’s most spectacular buildings which celebrates their architectural magnificence and also explores the cultural significance the cathedral holds in the European imagination.
On Wednesday 22nd of June Julia Samuel will be talking in conversation with Natasha Lunn at St Mary’s, Primrose Hill – see here for details on how to buy tickets.
Why do some families thrive in adversity while others fragment? How can families weather difficult transitions together? Why do our families drive us mad? And how can even small changes greatly improve our relationships?In Every Family Has a Story, bestselling psychotherapist Julia Samuel turns from her acclaimed work with individuals to draw on her sessions with a wide variety of families, across multiple generations. Through eight beautifully told and insightful case studies, she analyses a range of common issues, from loss to leaving home, and from separation to step-relationships, and shows how much is, in fact, inherited — and how much can be healed when it is faced together. Exploring the relationships that both touch us most and hurt us most, including the often under-appreciated impact of grandparents and siblings, and incorporating the latest academic research, she offers wisdom that is applicable to us all.
Her twelve touchstones for family well-being — from fighting productively to making time for rituals — provide us with the tools to improve our relationships, and to create the families we wish for. This is a moving and reassuring meditation that, amid trauma and hardship, tells unforgettable stories of forgiveness, hope and love.
Fascinating look at the uses and methods of making cloth and the extent to which fabric is a rich source of culture, creativity, symbolism and connection worldwide.
A rich survey of Western music from its origins to the present which looks at composers, players, instruments, techniques and venues, and the innovations which led to changes throughout history.
Entrancing, thoughtful account of growing up in Albania in the dying days of the Stalinist regime, which adresses the meaning of personal and political freedom.
Invaluable advice on choosing wine to accompany whatever you are eating – from weekend suppers to celebration meals or festive feasts, with ‘at a glance’ checklists for perfect pairings.
