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‘Simply Brilliant’ THE SECRET BARRISTER
‘Passionate and brilliantly argued’ DAVID OLUSOGA
‘An admirably personal guide’ MARINA HYDE
‘Smart, analytical, self-aware and important’ ALASTAIR CAMPBELL

THE INTIMATE, REVEALING NEW BOOK FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE BESTSELLING, PRIZE-WINNING HOW TO BE RIGHT

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 explores 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.

Publisher Review

Disarmingly honest about where he has been wrong, this book is a refreshing reminder of our ability to change our minds -- Susanna Reid An exceptional broadcaster with a peerless ability to calmly point out the absurdity of certain viewpoints * Guardian * Such verbal ability seems like a superpower * The Times * Blending profound self-reflection with genuine warmth... the perfect book for a loud world that seems more divided than ever -- John Amaechi OBE I know few broadcasters as consistently, forensically, brilliant as James O'Brien -- Emily Maitlis Classic James O'Brien - smart, analytical, self-aware and important to public debate at a time the toffs in power are taking it into the sewer -- Alastair Campbell Highly personal and confessional, yet also a passionate and brilliantly argued appeal against the dangerous tribalism of our times -- David Olusoga The conscience of liberal Britain * New Statesman * 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 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 Simply brilliant ... Its calm but brutal honesty makes for compelling reading. This book is needed now more than ever -- The Secret Barrister