Benjamin McEvoy

Essays on writing, reading, and life

  • Home
  • About
  • Archives
  • Hardcore University
    • How to Pass the Oxbridge Interview
    • Essay Masterclass
    • ELAT Masterclass
    • TSA Masterclass
    • Personal Statement Masterclass
    • Newsletter
  • YouTube
  • Hardcore Literature Book Club
  • Podcast

Thelonious Monk ‘Palo Alto’ Album Review

September 29, 2020 By Ben McEvoy

Let me tell you the story of the long lost jazz record of Theolonius Monk’s Palo Alto. Thelonious Monk ‘Palo Alto’ Album Review It’s a rainy day in California. The year is 1968. Cold War America still reeling from the fallout of the MLK and Kennedy assassinations. Theolonius Monk is nearing the end of his […]

Filed Under: Music, Videos

An American Prayer

May 15, 2020 By Ben McEvoy

Have you ever grieved for someone who died before you were born? I have. On this morning’s run, spoken word poetry album An American Prayer (1978) in my ear, I grieved for Jim Morrison. Tears and all. If I were Jim Morrison, I would have died in a blood-filled Parisian Hotel bathtub ten months ago. […]

Filed Under: Essays, Music

Solid Air

May 7, 2020 By Ben McEvoy

Nick Drake saved my life. I had vicious insomnia aged fourteen. The doctor prescribed an old-school heavy-duty tricyclic antidepressant called amitriptyline. He wouldn’t prescribe my requested melatonin because, in his words, ‘It’s a hormone. You’ll become addicted. And then you’ll be back for more.’ This only scratches the surface of why I despise most doctors.  […]

Filed Under: Essays, Music

Join the Newsletter

Benjamin McEvoy

I write essays on great books, elite education, practical mindset tips, and living a healthy, happy lifestyle. I'm here to help you live a meaningful life.

Top Posts & Pages

  • How to Read the Complete Works of Shakespeare in a Year (Recommended Reading Order)
    How to Read the Complete Works of Shakespeare in a Year (Recommended Reading Order)
  • How to Get an Oxford University English Literature Education for Free
    How to Get an Oxford University English Literature Education for Free
  • How to Read Anna Karenina (10 Tips for Tackling Tolstoy)
    How to Read Anna Karenina (10 Tips for Tackling Tolstoy)
  • Which Translation of Anna Karenina is the Best? Pevear & Volokhonsky vs Constance Garnett vs Aylmer and Louise Maude
    Which Translation of Anna Karenina is the Best? Pevear & Volokhonsky vs Constance Garnett vs Aylmer and Louise Maude
  • How to Join the Hardcore Literature Book Club
    How to Join the Hardcore Literature Book Club
  • 8 Books That Will Deepen Your Love and Understanding of Shakespeare
    8 Books That Will Deepen Your Love and Understanding of Shakespeare
  • 10 Lessons Learned from Man and His Symbols by Carl G. Jung (Book Review)
    10 Lessons Learned from Man and His Symbols by Carl G. Jung (Book Review)
  • How to Read Crime and Punishment (10 Tips for Digesting Dostoyevsky)
    How to Read Crime and Punishment (10 Tips for Digesting Dostoyevsky)
  • 7 Lessons Learned From Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl (Book Review)
    7 Lessons Learned From Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl (Book Review)
  • How to Use Art to Make Decisions (Wall Street Playboys Response)
    How to Use Art to Make Decisions (Wall Street Playboys Response)

Affiliate Disclosure

Some links to products contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission. This commission comes at no charge to you.

Subscribe to the blog via email

Enter your email address to receive notifications of new posts by email.

Check out these articles!

A Platter of Poetry Readings

Reading Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, Chapter One (Video)

are-you-taking-your-life-and-loved-ones-for-granted

Do You Take Your Life & Loved Ones For Granted?

we were liars by e lockhart book review

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart (Book Review)

How to Use Art to Make Decisions (Video)

Categories

  • Art (2)
  • Audiobooks (4)
  • Books (216)
  • Copywriting (5)
  • Current Affairs (1)
  • Education (218)
  • Essays (11)
  • Films (8)
  • Fitness (2)
  • Food (1)
  • Hardcore Literature (68)
  • Health (4)
  • Japanese (7)
  • Lifestyle (141)
  • Marketing (18)
  • Music (3)
  • Podcast (29)
  • Poetry (26)
  • Psychology (1)
  • Publishing (3)
  • Shakespeare (9)
  • Spirituality (1)
  • Theatre (4)
  • Travel (4)
  • Uncategorized (5)
  • Videos (56)
  • Writing (91)
BenjaminMcEvoy.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.