Rowan Gavin Paton Menzies is a British author and retired submarine lieutenant commander. He is best known for his controversial book 1421: The Year China Discovered the World, in which he asserts that the fleets of Chinese Admiral Zheng He visited the Americas prior to European explorer Christopher Columbus in 1492 and that the same fleet circumnavigated the globe a century before the expedition of Ferdinand Magellan.&nbsp;
Menzies' second book,1434: The Year a Chinese Fleet Sailed to Italy and Ignited the Renaissance extended his discovery hypothesis to the European continent. In his third book, The Lost Empire of Atlantis, Menzies claims that Atlantis existed in the form of the Minoan Civilization and maintained a global seaborne empire extending to the shores of America and India millennia before the actual contact in the Age of Discovery.
Menzies was born in London, England, and his family moved to China when he was three weeks old. He was educated at Orwell Park Prep School in Ipswich and Charterhouse School. Menzies joined the Royal Navy in 1953 and served from 1959 to 1970. Menzies claims that the knowledge of the winds, currents, and sea conditions he gained on a voyage he took was essential to reconstructing the 1421 Chinese voyage that he discusses in his first book.
Historians have rejected Menzies' theories and assertions and have categorized his work as pseudohistory. Although his novels are not claimed as historical fact, Tan Ta Sen, president of the Zheng He Society, has acknowledged the appeal of 1421 and stated: 'The book is very interesting, but you still need more evidence. We don't consider it a historical book but a narrative one. I want to see more proof. But at least Menzies has started something, and people could find more evidence.'

Gavin

Ezra Klein is a political commentator, journalist, and author known for his work on policy, politics, and the intersection of the two. He is the founder and editor-at-large of Vox, a news website that focuses on explaining complex issues in a clear and accessible way.
Klein began his career as a blogger, writing about politics and policy for various online publications. In 2008, he joined The American Prospect, a liberal magazine, as a staff writer. In 2011, he joined the Washington Post as a columnist and blogger, writing about various political and policy issues.
In 2014, Klein founded Vox with Matthew Yglesias, Melissa Bell, and others. The website aims to explain complex issues in a clear and accessible way, using data and research to provide context and background information. Vox has become known for its "explainer" articles, which break down complex topics like healthcare policy, climate change, and the economy.
In addition to his work at Vox, Klein has also appeared as a political commentator on various television news programs, including CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News. He has also written for several publications, including The New Yorker, The New York Times, and The Atlantic.
Klein is known for his progressive views and focus on policy over politics. He is also a vocal critic of the media's coverage of politics, arguing that the focus on personality and horse-race politics detracts from essential policy issues.
In 2020, Klein published a book, "Why We're Polarized," which examines how political polarization came to be and what it means for democracy.
Ezra Klein is considered one of the most prominent political commentators and journalists of our time, known for his deep understanding of policy issues and ability to explain complex issues in a clear and accessible way.
Ezra Klein is also well-known for his podcast, "The Ezra Klein Show," which features in-depth interviews with leading figures in politics, media, and policy. Through these conversations, Klein delves into his guests' perspectives, experiences, and insights, providing listeners with a deeper understanding of the issues and ideas that shape our world.
In addition to his work at Vox and his media appearances, Klein is a sought-after speaker and lecturer. He has given talks and lectures on a wide range of topics, including politics, policy, and the intersection of the two.
Klein is also active on social media, where he shares his thoughts and insights on current events and links to his articles and podcasts. His followers on Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms often engage with him in discussions about politics, policy, and the media.
In conclusion, Ezra Klein is a well-respected and influential figure in politics and policy. He is known for his clear and accessible explanations of complex issues, progressive views, and deep understanding of policy. His work has been widely recognized and respected by both the public and the media industry.

Ezra

Maria Popova is a writer, entrepreneur, and cultural critic known for her work as the founder and editor of the popular website Brain Pickings. Brain Pickings is an eclectic website that features interesting and thought-provoking articles, essays, and books on a wide range of topics, including literature, philosophy, science, and art. Popova began Brain Pickings as a personal project in 2006, and it quickly gained a large following. Today, the site receives millions of visitors each month and has been praised for its unique perspective and curatorial approach.
Popova has also written for a number of publications, including The New York Times, The Atlantic, and Wired. In addition, she has been a speaker at various conferences and events, discussing topics such as creativity, productivity, and the intersection of technology and culture. Popova has also been honored with several awards for her work, including the Webby Award for Best Cultural Blog and the National Endowment for the Arts NEA Arts Journalism Institute in Creative Writing.
In addition to her work on Brain Pickings, Popova is also the author of "Figuring" which is a book that explores the lives and works of some of the most fascinating and accomplished figures of the last four centuries, from Jane Austen and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe to Marie Curie and Martin Luther King Jr.
Popova continues to write, curate, and publish her works on her website and in various publications, making her an influencer in literature and culture.

Maria

Matt Ridley is a British author and journalist who is known for his work on science, technology, and economics. He is the author of several books, including "The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves" and "The Evolution of Everything: How New Ideas Emerge."
Ridley was born in London in 1958 and educated at Eton and Magdalen College, Oxford, where he studied zoology. He began his career as a science writer for The Economist and later worked as a correspondent for The Times and The Daily Telegraph.
In 1990, Ridley became the chairman of Northern Rock, a British bank, a position he held until 2007 when it was nationalized due to the financial crisis. He is also the non-executive chairman of the UK bank, Metro Bank.
Ridley is known for his popular science writing, which often focuses on the intersection of science, technology, and economics. His book "The Rational Optimist" argues that human progress is driven by the exchange of ideas and the spread of innovation. This process has led to an overall increase in prosperity and well-being over time. In "The Evolution of Everything," Ridley examines the role of evolution in shaping everything from the natural world to human society, arguing that evolution is not just a biological phenomenon but a process that can be applied to a wide range of areas.
In addition to his writing, Ridley is also a frequent speaker and commentator on science and technology issues and has appeared on numerous television and radio programs. He is also a member of the Royal Society of Arts and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.
In summary, Matt Ridley is a British author, journalist, and economist known for his work on science, technology, and economics. He is the author of several books, including "The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves" and "The Evolution of Everything: How New Ideas Emerge." He was a chairman of Northern Rock and a non-executive chairman of Metro Bank. He is also a frequent speaker and commentator on science and technology issues.

Matt

Walter Isaacson is an American author and journalist best known for his biographies of Benjamin Franklin, Albert Einstein, Steve Jobs, and other iconic personalities. He is the president and CEO of the Aspen Institute, a nonpartisan educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, D.C.
Isaacson was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1952 and educated at Harvard University and the University of Oxford. He began his career in journalism at The Sunday Times of London and then as a political writer for TIME magazine, where he served as managing editor from 1995 to 2001 and editor from 2001 to 2002.
In 2003, Isaacson published his first book, Benjamin Franklin: An American Life, which was both critically and commercially successful and won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for biography. His second book, Einstein: His Life and Universe, was published in 2007 and was a New York Times Best Seller.
In 2011, Isaacson published his biography of Apple’s co-founder, Steve Jobs, which was a critical and commercial success. The book, which was excerpted in TIME, was optioned for a movie by Sony Pictures. In 2013, he released The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution, which was a New York Times Best Seller.
In addition to his books, Isaacson has written for The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The New Yorker. He has appeared on television programs such as The Colbert Report, The Daily Show, and Real Time with Bill Maher.
Isaacson is a prolific speaker, delivering keynotes at organizations such as Google, Microsoft, the National Academy of Sciences, the National Constitution Center, the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and many others. He is a member of the American Philosophical Society and the Council on Foreign Relations.
Isaacson is also a board member of several non-profit organizations, such as Teach for America, the National Constitution Center, the Aspen Institute, and the Brookings Institution. He is a former chair of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, which oversees the Voice of America and other international broadcasting outlets.
In 2015, Isaacson was appointed to the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology by President Barack Obama. He is also a member of the G7 Task Force on the Digital Economy.
Isaacson is a frequent contributor to various media outlets, including NPR’s Morning Edition, and he has been featured on the cover of Newsweek and TIME. He has received numerous awards and honors, including the Gerald Loeb Award for Distinguished Business and Financial Journalism, the Henry Luce Award, the Digital Book World Award for Non-Fiction, and the World Technology Award for Media.

Walter

Barbara Wertheim Tuchman was an American self-trained historian, author, and double Pulitzer Prize winner. She became best known for The Guns of August (1962), a history of the prelude and the first month of World War I. As an author, Tuchman focused on producing popular history. Her clear, dramatic storytelling covered topics as diverse as the 14th century and World War I and sold millions of copies.
Following graduation, Wertheim worked as a volunteer research assistant at the Institute of Pacific Relations in New York, spending a year in Tokyo in 1934–35, including a month in China, then returning to the United States via the Trans Siberian Railway to Moscow and on to Paris. She also contributed to The Nation as a correspondent until her father's sale of the publication in 1937, traveling to Valencia and Madrid to cover the Spanish Civil War A first book resulted from her Spanish experience, The Lost British Policy: Britain and Spain Since 1700, published in 1938.

Barbara

Winston Churchill was a British statesman and politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom twice, from 1940 to 1945 and again from 1951 to 1955. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest wartime leaders of the 20th century, leading Britain through its darkest hour during World War II.
Churchill was born in 1874 and was educated at Harrow and Sandhurst. He began his career in the British Army and later transitioned into politics, serving as a Member of Parliament for over 60 years. He held several government positions throughout his career, including as the First Lord of the Admiralty, Minister of Munitions, and Secretary of State for War.
During World War II, Churchill served as Prime Minister and played a key role in leading Britain through the war. He made powerful speeches that rallied the nation and inspired the British people to keep fighting, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. His speeches are widely considered to be some of the greatest in history, with phrases such as "Never give in, never give in, never, never, never" and "We shall fight on the beaches" becoming famous.
One of Churchill's greatest achievements as Prime Minister was his strong alliance with US President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. Together, they led the Allied powers to victory over Nazi Germany.
After World War II, Churchill served as Prime Minister again from 1951 to 1955 but was defeated in the general election. He remained an active Member of Parliament until 1964 and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1953 for his six-volume memoir of the war. He died in 1965 at the age of 90.
Churchill's legacy continues to this day, with many seeing him as a symbol of leadership, courage, and determination in the face of adversity. He is often ranked as one of the greatest British Prime Ministers, and his speeches are still studied and admired by people all over the world.
Winston Churchill was a prolific writer throughout his life, publishing books on a wide range of subjects. One of his most notable literary achievements is his six-volume memoir, The Second World War, which he wrote during and after the war. The work, which was published between 1948 and 1954, provides a detailed and personal account of the war from Churchill's perspective, including his thoughts and decisions as Prime Minister. The memoirs were international bestsellers and were praised for their historical accuracy and Churchill's literary skill.
In addition to his memoirs, Churchill also wrote several other books throughout his life. Some of his most notable works include:
<ul>
<li>"The World Crisis" (1923-1931): A five-volume work that covers the period of Churchill's life from 1911 to 1928 and includes his thoughts on World War I and its aftermath.</li>
<li>"My Early Life" (1930): An autobiographical work that covers Churchill's childhood and early career.</li>
<li>"A History of the English-Speaking Peoples" (1956-1958): A four-volume work that covers the history of the English-speaking peoples from the Anglo-Saxon period to the end of the 19th century.</li>
<li>"Painting as a Pastime" (1948): A book in which Churchill reflects on his hobby of painting and its therapeutic effects.</li>
</ul>
Churchill's books have been widely read and praised for their historical accuracy and literary merit. They provide valuable insights into the mind of one of the most important figures of the 20th century and continue to be studied and admired today.

Winston

Sir Charles William Chadwick Oman was a British military historian. His reconstructions of medieval battles from the fragmentary and distorted accounts left by chroniclers were pioneering. Occasionally his interpretations have been challenged, especially his widely copied thesis that British troops defeated their Napoleonic opponents by firepower alone. Paddy Griffith, among modern historians, claims that the British infantry's discipline and willingness to attack were equally important.
Oman was born in Muzaffarpur district, India, the son of a British planter. He was educated at Winchester College and at the University of Oxford, where he studied under William Stubbs. Here, he was invited to become a founding member of the Stubbs Society under Stubbs's patronage. In 1881 he was elected to a Prize Fellowship at All Souls College, where he remained for the rest of his academic career.&nbsp;
He was elected the Chichele Professor of Modern History at Oxford in 1905, in succession to Montagu Burrows. He was also elected to the FBA that year and served as President of the Royal Historical Society (1917–1921), the Numismatic Society, and the Royal Archaeological Institute. Among his teaching activities at Oxford, he taught the special subject of military history with C.T. Atkinson of Exeter College, which focused on the Peninsular War.&nbsp;
Oman's academic career was interrupted by the First World War, during which he was employed by the government's Press Bureau and the Foreign Office. Oman was the Conservative Member of Parliament for the University of Oxford constituency from 1919 to 1935 and was knighted KBE in the 1920 civilian war honors list.
The parody history book 1066 and All That, published in 1930, includes the dedication "Absit Oman," a distortion of the Latin phrase "Absit omen." It can be translated as "may Oman be absent," reflecting the prominence of Oman among English historians at the time.
He became an honorary fellow of New College in 1936 and received the honorary degrees of DCL (Oxford, 1926) and LL.D (Edinburgh, 1911 and Cambridge, 1927). He was awarded the Medal of the Royal Numismatic Society in 1928. He died at Oxford aged 86.
Two of Oman's children became authors. His daughter Carola Oman CBE was a writer of history, biography, and fiction for adults and children, including a retelling of the Robin Hood legend and biographies of Admiral Lord Nelson and Lieutenant-General Sir John Moore. His son Charles C. Oman wrote several volumes on British silverware, and similar houseware worked as a Keeper of the Department of Metalwork in the Victoria and Albert Museum and was active in the Folklore Society (and was, in turn, father to Julia Trevelyan Oman).

Charles

Jane Jacobs (1916-2006) was an urban writer and activist who championed new, community-based approaches to planning for over 40 years. Her 1961 treatise, The Death and Life of Great American Cities, became one of the most influential American texts about cities' inner workings and failings, inspiring generations of urban planners and activists.&nbsp;
Her efforts to stop downtown expressways and protect local neighborhoods invigorated community-based urban activism and helped end Parks Commissioner Robert Moses's reign of power in New York City. Jacobs had no professional training in the field of city planning, nor did she hold the title of planner. Instead, she relied on her observations and common sense to show why certain places work and what can be done to improve those that do not.&nbsp;
With PPS mentor William H. Whyte, Jacobs advocated for a place-based, community-centered approach to urban planning decades before such approaches were considered sensible. William "Holly" Whyte was her editor at Fortune Magazine, who published her seminal article "Downtown is for People" (1958)--the piece that inspired the Rockefeller Foundation to fund her to write The Death and Life of Great American Cities.

Jane

Ben Shapiro is an American conservative political commentator, public speaker, author, and radio host. Born in 1984 in Los Angeles, California, Shapiro began writing at a young age, eventually becoming editor-in-chief of the UCLA student newspaper. After graduating from Harvard Law School, Shapiro worked as a lawyer. Then in 2007, he began writing a column for Creators Syndicate and eventually began hosting a daily political talk radio show.
Shapiro is known for his controversial opinions, especially on issues such as abortion, gun control, and same-sex marriage. He has been a vocal critic of President Barack Obama and accused of sexism and racism. Shapiro has also written several books, including Brainwashed: How Universities Indoctrinate America's Youth, which criticizes the left-leaning atmosphere in higher education, and Primetime Propaganda: The True Hollywood Story of How the Left Took Over Your TV, which examines the influence of Hollywood on American culture.
Shapiro's views have earned him both praise and criticism. He has been called an "intellectual powerhouse" by some, while others have criticized him for being too harsh and making inflammatory remarks. He is an outspoken supporter of Israel and has been criticized for his views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Shapiro has argued that the Palestinian Authority has created a culture of hate and incitement and that the Palestinian leadership should be held responsible for the violence in the region.
Shapiro has appeared on many television and radio programs, including The O'Reilly Factor, Fox &amp; Friends, and his show, The Ben Shapiro Show. He has also written for various publications, including The Daily Wire, National Review, and Breitbart News. In addition, he is a frequent guest lecturer at universities and other venues.
Shapiro has also been the subject of much controversy. In 2019, he was criticized for comments he made about transgender individuals. He also received backlash for calling for a boycott of the National Football League for their decision to allow players to kneel during the national anthem in protest of police brutality. Another controversy occurred when Shapiro was invited to speak at the University of California, Berkeley. His speech was met with protests, with some students and faculty arguing that his views were too extreme.
Shapiro's views and opinions on various topics have made him a polarizing figure. While some laud him for his intelligence, wit, and courage to stand up for his beliefs, others see him as a divisive figure who espouses extremist views. Whatever one's opinion of him, it is clear that Shapiro has had an impact on America's political and cultural landscape.

Scott French is a researcher and investigator who has authored over 20 books including the original syllabus of surveillance, the Big Brother Game, Never Say Lie an in-depth look at truth telling techniques utilized by everyone from the FBI to the IRS, and Credit the Cutting Edge.
He is probably best known for having authored Just This Once, the worlds first novel using computer aided artificial intelligence.
His newest book, Who Are You? The Encyclopedia of Personal Identification is the first book ever to reveal the tricks and truth(s) of the identity game from both sides of the border. How to steal/protect any identity, exactly how the government and a number of private companies are infringing on your rights and how to stop them! Scott lives in California, but refuses to drive an SUV.

Scot

Brian Randolph Greene is an American theoretical physicist, mathematician, and string theorist. He has been a professor at Columbia University since 1996 and chairman of the World Science Festival since co-founding it in 2008. Greene has worked on mirror symmetry, relating two different Calabi–Yau manifolds.

Brian

Robert A. Pastor is a Professor of International Relations and Founder and Director of the Center for North American Studies at American University. He served on the National Security Council and as a Consultant to the State and Defense Departments. He is the author of sixteen other books, including Exiting the Whirlpool: U.S. Foreign Policy to Latin America and A Century's Journey: How the Great Powers Shape the World.
He is well-published on US foreign policy, having written or edited 17 books, including "The North American Idea: A Vision of a Continental Future, "Exiting the Whirlpool: US Foreign Policy Toward Latin America and the Caribbean, Democracy in the Caribbean: Political, Economic and Social Perspectives and Limits to Friendship: The United States and Mexico. The pastor has published his theories of a North American Community, including Toward a North American Community extensively: Lessons from the Old World to the New.

Robert

Ray Dalio is a renowned American investor, businessman, and philanthropist. He is the founder, chairman, and co-chief investment officer of Bridgewater Associates, a global investment management firm. He is considered one of the most successful investors of all time, with a net worth estimated at over $18 billion in 2020.
Dalio began his career as a Wall Street trader and quickly rose to prominence in the financial world. He started Bridgewater Associates in 1975 with just $5,000 in the capital. Since then, the firm has become one of the world's largest and most successful hedge funds, managing over $150 billion in assets.
Dalio is one of the most influential figures in the world of finance, having been featured on the cover of Time magazine, Fortune magazine, and numerous other publications. He is a sought-after speaker at conferences and events and has been featured in documentaries and films.
Dalio's investment philosophy is based on the concept of "radical transparency," which emphasizes the importance of open and honest communication. He is also a strong proponent of "principled decision-making," which focuses on understanding the underlying principles that drive decisions.
Dalio is a strong advocate for philanthropy and has donated over $1 billion to charities and non-profits. In addition, he has founded and funded several organizations, including the Dalio Foundation, which supports education, health, and economic opportunity initiatives.
Dalio's influence extends beyond the world of finance. He has written several books about his life and career, including Principles: Life and Work, which has become a bestseller. He has also created an online course called Principles for Success, which offers guidance on how to achieve success in life and work.
Dalio has earned numerous awards and honors for his work in business and philanthropy, including being named to the Forbes 400 list of wealthiest individuals in the world and being inducted into the American Academy of Achievement. In 2017, he was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize for his dedication to promoting economic and social progress. He also serves on the boards of several organizations, including the Robin Hood Foundation and the Council on Foreign Relations.

Isabel Wilkerson, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the National Humanities Medal, is the author the critically acclaimed New York Times bestsellers The Warmth of Other Suns, and Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.
Her first book, The Warmth of Other Suns, tells the story of the Great Migration, a watershed in American history. It won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction, the Heartland Prize for Nonfiction, the Anisfield-Wolf Award for Nonfiction, the Lynton History Prize from Harvard and Columbia universities, the Stephen Ambrose Oral History Prize and was shortlisted for both the Pen-Galbraith Literary Award and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize.&nbsp;
WARMTH was named to more than 30 Best of the Year lists, including The New York Times' 10 Best Books of the Year, Amazon's 5 Best Books of the Year and Best of the Year lists in The New Yorker, Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post and The Economist, among others. In 2019, TIME Magazine named Warmth to its list of the10 best books of the decade.
Her second book, CASTE: The Origins of Our Discontents, explores the unrecognized hierarchy in America, its history and its consequences. Caste became a No. 1 New York Times bestseller, was the 2020 summer/fall selection for Oprah’s Book Club and was longlisted for the National Book Award. It was named to more best of the year lists than any other work of nonfiction. TIME named it the No. 1 nonfiction book of 2020. Publishers Marketplace named it the book of the year across all genres. In 2021, it was the most borrowed nonfiction library book in the United States, according to Quartz Magazine.
Wilkerson won the Pulitzer Prize for her work as Chicago Bureau Chief of The New York Times in 1994, making her the first black woman in the history of American journalism to win a Pulitzer and the first African-American to win for individual reporting. In 2016, President Barack Obama awarded her the National Humanities Medal for "championing the stories of an unsung history."&nbsp;
She has appeared on national programs such as "Fresh Air with Terry Gross," CBS's "60 Minutes," NBC's "Nightly News," "The PBS News Hour," MSNBC's "The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell," “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah,” NPR's "On Being with Krista Tippett," the BBC and others. She has taught at Princeton, Emory and Boston universities and has lectured at more than 200 other colleges and universities across the U.S. and in Europe and Asia.

Isabel

Paul Graham is an entrepreneur, programmer, and essayist. He is the co-founder of Y Combinator, a startup accelerator that has funded over 2,000 companies including Dropbox, Airbnb, and Reddit. His career has been focused on technology and startups. He began his career as a programmer and software developer, working on various projects and startups. In 1995, he co-founded Viaweb, one of the first web-based companies that allowed users to create their own online stores. The company was later sold to Yahoo in 1998 for $49 million.
After the sale of Viaweb, Graham turned his attention to startup investing and mentoring. In 2005, he co-founded Y Combinator, a startup accelerator that provides funding, resources, and mentorship to early-stage startups. Y Combinator has since funded over 2,000 companies, many of which have gone on to become successful and valuable companies, such as Dropbox, Airbnb, and Reddit.
Paul Graham has several notable achievements in his career, including:
<ul>
<li>Co-founding Viaweb: Viaweb was one of the first web-based companies that allowed users to create their own online stores. The company was later sold to Yahoo in 1998 for $49 million.</li>
<li>Fellowship at Harvard's Society of Fellows: Graham is a Fellow at Harvard's Society of Fellows, a prestigious group of scholars who receive funding and support to pursue their research.</li>
<li>Helping launch successful startups: Graham has helped launch many successful startups through Y Combinator and has mentored many entrepreneurs. Some of the successful companies that came out of Y Combinator include Dropbox, Airbnb, and Reddit.</li>
</ul>
In addition to his work with Y Combinator, Graham is also known for his essays on technology and startups. He has written extensively on the startup ecosystem, the role of technology in society, and the future of the internet. His essays have been collected in two books, "Hackers &amp; Painters" and "Ansi Common Lisp." He continues to share his thoughts and insights on his website, paulgraham.com.

Paul

Jean

Late in 1994, the tiny country of Rwanda erupted into the world's most protracted and violent civil war, in which 800,000 people were killed. Four years later, journalist Jean Hatzfeld journeyed to Rwanda to interview ten participants in the brutal genocide.&nbsp;
In Machete Season , he records their stories of torture and murder of civilians from every corner of society. As Susan Sontag wrote in the preface, [the book] is a document that everyone should read . . . [because of making] the effort to understand what happened in Rwanda . . . is part of being a moral adult.

Jocko Willink is an American retired Navy Seal officer, author, podcaster, and public speaker. He is best known for his involvement in the Battle of Ramadi, his success in the Navy SEALs, and his leadership philosophy, which is based on discipline, hard work, and respect for others.
Willink was born in Easton, Pennsylvania, on September 8, 1971. He joined the Navy in 1990 and, after graduating from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training, was assigned to SEAL Team 3. During his service in the Navy, Willink completed multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and was eventually assigned to Task Unit Bruiser, the most decorated special operations unit of the Iraq War. During the Battle of Ramadi, Willink and his team helped to clear the city of insurgent forces, and their exemplary performance earned them the Navy Cross.
Willink retired from the Navy in 2010 and soon after began to share his leadership philosophy. He has authored several books, including Extreme Ownership, Leadership Strategy and Tactics, and Way of the Warrior Kid, as well as co-hosting the popular podcast Jocko Podcast.
Willink is also a respected public speaker, giving talks all over the world on topics such as leadership, discipline, and team building. He is a sought-after keynote speaker for both corporate and military events.
Willink is an advocate for physical and mental fitness, often speaking about the importance of proper nutrition and exercise. He also encourages people to push themselves and strive to become the best versions of themselves.
Willink is a highly respected figure in the military and business worlds, and his words have been an inspiration to many. His leadership philosophy is one that emphasizes discipline, hard work, and respect for others, and these values are ones that have served him well throughout his career.

Jocko

Sam Harris is an American neuroscientist, philosopher, and author. He is the founder and CEO of Project Reason, a non-profit organization that promotes science and secularism. Harris is known for his critiques of religious faith and his promotion of scientific rationality and secular humanism. He has written several books, including "The End of Faith," "Letter to a Christian Nation," "The Moral Landscape," "Free Will," and "Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion." Harris is also a frequent speaker and commentator on neuroscience, philosophy, and religion issues.
Sam Harris hosts a podcast called "Making Sense," produced by his non-profit organization, Project Reason. The podcast features Harris having in-depth conversations with various guests, including scientists, scholars, authors, and other public figures. Topics of discussion on the podcast include science, philosophy, politics, and current events. The podcast is released weekly, and episodes can be found on various platforms such as iTunes, Spotify, and YouTube. The podcast has been running since 2013 and has been well-received by listeners for its in-depth and thought-provoking conversations.
Harris has written extensively on neuroscience and its implications for understanding the nature of consciousness, free will, and morality. In addition, he is known for his work on the neural basis of belief and emotion and his critiques of traditional religious and spiritual beliefs.
Project Reason is a non-profit organization that promotes scientific understanding and critical thinking on issues related to religion, morality, and politics. It provides a forum for open and rational discussion of these topics and works to combat the influence of dogmatism and superstition in public life. Some of the activities of Project Reason include public lectures, debates, discussions with experts in various fields, and the production of multimedia content such as podcasts, videos, and articles. Harris' organization also provides educational resources and materials for educators and students.

Philip Gourevitch

Susan Sontag

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Machete Season by Jean Hatzfeld gives you a deep insight into the Rwandan Genocide. It's a chance to explore the horrifying events from the perspective of the killers, which is a rare and unsettling viewpoint. This book will make you question the depths of human nature and the power of societal pressure.

Understanding the Rwandan Genocide

Hatzfeld's book shows how peer pressure can lead to unthinkable actions. The killers in the book were ordinary people who were influenced by their community to commit horrific acts. It's a stark reminder of the importance of standing up against wrong, even when everyone else is doing it.

The Power of Peer Pressure

In Machete Season, you'll see the struggle of forgiveness in the aftermath of genocide. The author paints a vivid picture of the survivors' struggle to forgive their neighbors who turned into killers. It's a thought-provoking look into the complexity of forgiveness and reconciliation.

The Complexity of Forgiveness

The book digs into the process of dehumanization that allowed the killers to commit such atrocities. It's a chilling reminder of how dangerous it can be when we stop seeing others as human beings. This book will make you reflect on the importance of empathy and understanding.

The Impact of Dehumanization

Machete Season also explores the role of the international community during the genocide. It's a critical look at how the world reacted, or rather didn't react, to the crisis. This book will make you question the responsibilities of global powers in preventing such atrocities.

The Role of International Community

Machete Season

Jean Hatzfeld is a French author and journalist who wrote extensively about the Bosnian War and the Rwandan Genocide in Rwanda. Born in Madagascar, Hatzfeld was the fourth child in the family of Olivier and Maud Hatzfeld. He spent his childhood in Chambon-sur-Lignon, a village in the mountains of Auvergne in France.&nbsp;
During World War II, German occupation forces deported his grandparents from France, but they survived. In 1968, Hatzfeld traveled to Kabul and Peshawar, Pakistan. On his return to France, he worked on several factory tasks before settling in Paris. In 1975, Hatzfeld published his first article in the French newspaper Libération as a sports journalist.&nbsp;
He then wrote serialized stories. Hatzfeld finally became a foreign correspondent, traveling to Israel, Palestine, Poland, Romania, and other places in Eastern Europe. Hatzfeld's first trip to Beirut convinced him to become a war correspondent. For 22 years, he covered wars in Africa and the Middle East and the Bosnian War.&nbsp;
After his arrival in Rwanda as a reporter, shortly after the Rwandan genocide, Hatzfeld was struck by the collective failure of journalists covering the event and their incapacity to face up to the silence of the survivors. He decided to live in Rwanda to work with the Tutsi survivors of Nyamata, a village in the Bugesera district.

Discover the Best Books Written by Jean Hatzfeld

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Machete Season

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Machete Season

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