Spectator Out Loud: Matthew Parris, Stephen J. Shaw, Henry Jeffreys, Tessa Dunlop and Angus Colwell

In 'Courtiers', Valentine Low provides an inside look at the British monarchy, highlighting the crucial role of courtiers in guiding the royal family through public duty and private life. The book explores the complex relationships and challenges faced by modern courtiers, especially during times of family tensions and public scrutiny. It offers a detailed analysis of how the monarchy adapts to changing times, with figures like William and Kate playing key roles in its modernization.

Julian Jaynes's "The Origins of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind" is a controversial but influential work that proposes a revolutionary theory about the evolution of human consciousness. Jaynes argues that consciousness as we know it emerged relatively recently in human history, and that earlier humans experienced the world differently, receiving instructions and guidance from internal voices they attributed to gods. This "bicameral mind," Jaynes suggests, was a state of consciousness where the left and right hemispheres of the brain functioned more independently. The book draws on evidence from ancient literature and mythology to support its claims, sparking considerable debate among scholars. While its central thesis remains highly contested, the book's imaginative approach to understanding consciousness continues to inspire discussion and further research.