Benjamin McEvoy

Essays on writing, reading, and life

Doris Kearns Goodwin Teaches US President History MasterClass Review

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I’ve always believed that history teaches us more than self-help books. When I read a book on Roosevelt by Edmund Morris or watch a series of MasterClass lectures on U.S. Presidential History from the Pulitzer-winning Doris Kearns Goodwin, I’m partly inspired by the entertainment value. Enduring, riveting, dramatic stories of real life heroes conquering peaks […]

Neil deGrasse Tyson Teaches Scientific Thinking MasterClass Review

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Neil deGrasse Tyson begins his MasterClass on Scientific Thinking with a guarantee. The most important moments of your life are decided not by what you know but by how you think. And this MasterClass is aimed at rewiring your brain for thought. That’s the marvel of science literacy. It gives you the ability to solve […]

How to Argue and Win Every Time by Gerry Spence (Review)

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“How do I not be nervous?” I hear that a lot. It’s a common question from the people who come to me for advice about getting into top universities. What they’re really asking is how they can not feel fear. But it’s not socially acceptable to admit you’re scared. Saying you’re nervous is a lot […]

Chris Voss Teaches the Art of Negotiation MasterClass Review

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FBI agent and one of the world’s top hostage negotiators Chris Voss, author of the book most recommended to me, Never Split The Difference, officially has released my favourite new MasterClass: The Art of Negotiation. In an electrifying, tense, cinematic opening, Voss tells us: There are human nature rules that apply to everyone. It doesn’t […]

December TBR – What Books I’m Reading This Month

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I decided to stick my December reading list here for a couple of reasons. First being accountability. I’ve been slack on the reading lately, using “busyness” as an excuse. But no one’s so busy they can’t spare 30 minutes a day to read. I’ve also set up another SPAR challenge to help with the accountability […]

Dining Notes from Petrus – Gordon Ramsay Kitchen Table Review

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I’m a huge Gordon Ramsay fan. His MasterClasses taught me to cook some exceptional dishes. And I love the man’s attitude and work ethic. So I was excited to get the chance of a kitchen dining experience in his Michelin star French restaurant in Knightsbridge, Petrus.  Petrus Restaurant Review I’m a foodie but not a […]

The Best Books I Read In 2019

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2019 has been the best reading year of my life. I’m including the three years spent studying literature at Oxford. This year isn’t even over and yet if it ended today I would be thoroughly happy with the books I read. Although I continued to read widely, I approached my reading with a lust for […]

Unconventional Reading Goals for 2020

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It’s been a couple of years since I set my first unconventional reading goals. How I read has changed since then. So, with 2020 right around the corner, it’s time to set some new unconventional reading goals Reading Goal #1: Read and review everything/have a back to school year  My first most important reading goal for 2020 will […]

Treehouse Hotel London Review

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I was one of the first guests to stay in the new Treehouse Hotel in the London neighbourhood of Marylebone, a day after its grand opening. I had no idea what to expect. This was the first time I’d chosen a hotel that had no reviews and only a few promotional pictures. But I loved […]