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Dr Robert N. Winter For Critical Thinkers
Topic

History

On history read for what it still has to say about power, judgement, and institutions.

23 essays
EssaySunday 14 September 2025

Lessons from Bach: Rethinking Modern Hiring Practices

Johann Sebastian Bach’s “mediocre” appointment in Leipzig offers a sharp lesson for today’s hiring. Organisations often chase unicorns, mistaking signals for substance. True value lies in suitability—clarity of purpose, openness to varied forms of competence, and sound judgment—rather than surface c

The Commons 3 min read
EssaySaturday 8 April 2023

Epochs Within Epochs

While our own short lives may lack the eternality of the Holy Spirit we can transcend events by our choices. Choices which, religious or not, have deep and long lasting moral implications.

Free to read 4 min read
EssayThursday 13 October 2022

CR III Royal Cypher

The design of the CR III cipher was produced by the College of Arms and continues a tradition of heraldry that has bound individual monarchs to the institution of monarchy for over a thousand years.

The Commons 4 min read
EssayMonday 3 August 2020

Late Abroad Again

As the contagion bit hard, Pepys chronicled the flight from the city, mostly of doctors, lawyers and merchants. Then as now, only those with the financial means to do so can seek refuge in seclusion.

Free to read 3 min read
EssayWednesday 29 July 2020

Armada

The history of the Spanish Armada is a call to take care on our journey home. Although we may feel mauled by the day, we can salvage most of what we have.

Free to read 1 min read
EssayTuesday 14 July 2020

Fête Nationale

I could not let July 14 pass without a nod to that most French of occasions: Bastille Day. A celebration which marks both the anniversary of the Storming of the

Free to read 2 min read
EssayMonday 29 June 2020

Time Capsule I

The novelist saw more clearly the differences between fact and fiction. That notions of a 'better world' tomorrow is a fallacy of the doctrine of progress.

Free to read 3 min read
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