McLaren’s first chapter (Chapter 0) is basically all about why people won’t like the book. He apologises for his writing style (he uses brackets too much, which I can relate with), he apologises because he is espousing ideals that no-one seems to be following, he apologises because he can’t possibly do his own ideas justice, and on it goes.
Reading the chapter, it’s hard not to keep thinking that this is a man who has been scarred by criticisms in the past. McLaren is almost painfully self-aware, he knows that these aren’t always the words that people want to hear and he makes every effort not to offend these people. And yet at the same time he won’t shy away from what he believes needs to be said. It certainly is an interesting balance.
Hang around – I might sneak in Part Three at lunchtime today.