Spectator Out Loud: James Heale, Andrew Kenny, Lara Prendergast, Ysenda Maxtone Graham and Nina Power

In 'Dark Horse', Todd Rose and Ogi Ogas explore the concept of the 'dark horse' – individuals who achieve impressive success despite not fitting the conventional mold. Through the Dark Horse Project at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, they studied women and men who succeeded in unique ways. The book outlines a mindset that empowers readers to make choices aligned with their unique interests, abilities, and circumstances, leading to a life of passion, purpose, and achievement. This approach rejects the 'Standardization Covenant' and promotes a personalized path to success in the Age of Personalization.

Written in the early 16th century, 'The Prince' is a realistic instruction guide for new rulers. Machiavelli argues that an effective leader must be skilled in the art of war, sometimes cruel, and willing to use deception and manipulation to achieve political goals. The book is divided into chapters that discuss various types of principalities, how to acquire and maintain power, and the qualities a prince should possess. Machiavelli uses historical examples, including the career of Cesare Borgia, to illustrate his points. The treatise emphasizes the importance of maintaining the goodwill of the people and the stability of the state, even if it means deviating from traditional virtues. 'The Prince' remains a controversial but influential work in modern political philosophy.

In this book, John R. Bradley provides an intimate and informed account of the turmoil shaking the House of Saud. He explores the tensions generated by social change, the increasing restlessness of Saudi youth with limited cultural and political outlets, and the challenges faced by Saudi women seeking opportunities despite numerous constraints. The book offers a startling look at the present predicament and a troubling view of the future for both the Sauds and the West.

Meditations is a series of private writings composed by Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome's greatest emperors, as he struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe. Written between 170 and 180 CE while on military campaigns, this work combines Stoic philosophy with personal observations on leadership, duty, mortality, and human nature. Through twelve books of intimate thoughts never intended for publication, Marcus Aurelius explores themes of self-improvement, resilience in the face of adversity, and living virtuously while accepting what cannot be changed.

In this book, Lydia Denworth delves into the science of friendship, exploring its evolution, biological underpinnings, and psychological significance. She discusses how friendship is reflected in brain waves, detectable in genomes, and crucial for strengthening cardiovascular and immune systems. The book also examines how social connection is vital for physical and emotional well-being, contrasting it with the detrimental effects of loneliness. Denworth weaves together field biology, neuroscience, and contemporary observations to show how friendship is essential across life stages and how it is evolving in the age of social media.