How Not To Be Wrong: The Art of Changing Your Mind

(Paperback)

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James O'Brien - bestselling author, radio and podcast sensation, twitter phenomenon - answers the question he is asked more than any other- 'what have you changed you mind about' Why all of us must kick the tyres of our opinions, check our assumptions and make sure we really think what we think we do. There's no point having a mind if you're not willing to change it James O'Brien has built well over a million loyal listeners to his radio show by dissecting the opinions of callers live on air, every day. But winning the argument doesn't necessarily mean you're right. In this deeply personal book, James turns the mirror on himself to reveal what he has changed his mind about and why, and explore how examining and changing our own views is our new civic duty in a world of outrage, disagreement and echo chambers. He writes candidly about the stiff upper lip attitudes and toxic masculinity that coloured his childhood, and the therapy and personal growth that have led him question his assumptions and explore new perspectives. Laying open his personal views on everything from racial prejudice to emotional vulnerability, from fat-shaming to tattoos, he then delves into the real reasons - often irrational or unconscious - he holds them. Unflinchingly honest, revealing and funny, How Not to Be Wrong is a tonic for a world more divided than ever and a personal manifesto for a better way of thinking and living. Because after all, if we can't change our own minds we'll never really be able to change anyone else's.

Reviews

A model of lucidity, humour and humanity - we should be thankful that we have him * Times Literary Supplement *
Simply brilliant ... Its calm but brutal honesty makes for compelling reading. This book is needed now more than ever -- The Secret Barrister
James is more right than ever -- particularly in our entrenched, binary thinking culture -- about the importance of being able to admit to being wrong -- David Baddiel
An admirably personal guide to the lost art of changing your mind. James showed me how often a change of mind is really a change of heart -- Marina Hyde
The conscience of liberal Britain * New Statesman *

Author Bio

James O'Brien is an award-winning writer and broadcaster whose journalism has appeared everywhere from the TLS to the Daily Mirror. His daily current affairs programme on LBC has over 1.2 million weekly listeners and his first book, How To Be Right, was a Sunday Times bestseller, which won the Parliamentary Book Award for Best Political Book by a non-politician. He is often to be found on Twitter trying not to get into arguments unless absolutely necessary.