My first book was released in November 2021. It is a story of deceit and betrayal that ends in victory. Only a small part of the book is about my cancellation and redemption, the majority of it is about how the experiences in life gave me the courage to fight when I was at my lowest and felt all alone.
Here is the introduction to the book
****************************
"I was too cowardly to do what I knew to be right, as I had been too cowardly to avoid doing what I knew to be wrong." - Charles Dickens, Great Expectations
Introduction
Cowardice, betrayal and revenge are not the themes of many non-fiction books on sale today. But this is not an ordinary non-fiction book. It is a journey into the need for more personal responsibility, through the lens of the recent ramping-up of identity politics in the UK.
2020 opened my eyes to the full extent of the danger of identity politics. I saw the damage we are inflicting upon ourselves in the name of diversity, inclusion and equality. The question I had to ask myself was 'what was I going to do about it?'
I am no writer. I have not been to university. I do not think of myself as an intellectual. Yet I have a cabinet full of awards for the work I have conducted over decades. Accredited certificates do not make the person, life experience makes the person.
I have had a life like no other. I came from nothing. I was nothing for decades. In some ways, I am still nothing. But this amazing country gives people unlimited opportunities to change their life outcome. Eventually, I learnt how to grasp some of these opportunities on offer. It only took thirty years for me to learn, some people are slower than others. Others do not learn at all.
The title of this book evolved over the months, as it was being written. The more I wrote, the more the content reflected what I was feeling inside. The more I looked inside the more the word 'cowardice' came to the fore. I looked at my country and saw cowardice. I looked within myself and saw the same. I changed the title of the book and continued writing.
I realised that I had to make the book interesting for the reader, otherwise no one would read it. I know I cannot rely on my literary skills, I would be foolish to try. But over many decades people have been interested in the things I say and the stories I tell. I can hold an audience, if stood in front of one. I have no fear of public speaking. I decided to write as I speak. And use my personal and professional experiences to make my points and carry the listener forward. This book is a journey into how I think, how I feel and why I do what I do. It is a psychoanalysts birthday present.
What should we do when we see our country making huge mistakes and going down the wrong path? Protesting on the streets does not work. Moaning about it does not work. Accepting it does not work. The answer is to do something productive that initiates change. What this actually means is another matter completely.
This book is my attempt to be part of the solution. I simply explain the issues and offer easy steps that people can take to be part of the solution. We are the majority. Common sense belongs to the majority.
The term 'silent majority' should not exist for it is a codeword for cowardice. The majority and the minority all should be heard, and one side should never be silent. A silent majority have usually been silenced on purpose. It is not a natural state of affairs to not want to offer your opinion and ideas. There is always a reason behind the decision. It may be laziness or genuine ambiguity, but what if it is not.
What if it is something more sinister? What if the reason that the majority are silent is because of fear, intimidation or coercion.
How has the greatest country the world has ever known found itself in such a position of cowardice? When did we become so pathetic and cowardly as British people? When did we all become afraid?
Is this inevitable in a country where life has become too comfortable for the vast majority of the populace? Do we need a deadlier version of Covid-19 to remind us all of what we have and what is important in life?
I highlight that in my opinion, the acceptance of personal responsibility is the way for individuals to find meaning in their life and the only way they can improve it. The country is crying out for more adults and less whinging spoilt babies.
Over the next 10 chapters, I try to explain my thinking. I explore my own cancellation, the projects I have run, and the stories of people I have met along the way.
This may not be the story you want to read. But it is my story.
A Mancunian tale.
*******************************
This book can be purchased on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/168053744X
(Please consider becoming a paid member of my substack for earlier access to articles, draft writings from my books, and premium articles. Or if you were forwarded this article, then consider signing up for free – you still get lots of articles!)