Nancy Sherman spoke about her book, Afterwar, at Politics & Prose on Saturday, May 30, 2015. The author of The Untold War and Stoic Warriors, Sherman teaches at Georgetown and served as the Inaugural Chair in Ethics at the U.S. Naval Academy. Drawing on a background in philosophy as well as in psychoanalysis, Sherman addresses questions of moral responsibility regarding the 2.6 million soldiers now returning home, and shows how society needs to consider issues ranging from disappointment to alienation to traumatization to help veterans find the inner peace they’ve lost during their service on the frontlines. |
Dr. Frances Jensen spoke about her book, The Teenage Brain: A Neuroscientist's Survival Guide to Raising Adolescents and Young Adults, at Politics & Prose on Friday, January 16, 2014. Dr. Jensen, head of neurology at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, draws on clinical experience and recent research to show that in adolescence the brain has not yet reached adult maturity. Exploring what this means for judgment, multi-tasking, sleep needs, and other behaviors, Jensen offers advice for both teens and parents. |
Walter Mischel spoke about his book, The Marshmallow Test: Mastering Self-Control, at Politics & Prose on Wednesday October 1, 2014. A child is presented with a marshmallow and given a choice: Eat this one now, or wait and enjoy two later. What will she do? And what are the implications for her behavior later in life? The world's leading expert on self-control, Walter Mischel has proven that the ability to delay gratification is critical for a successful life, predicting higher SAT scores, better social and cognitive functioning, a healthier lifestyle and a greater sense of self-worth. But is willpower prewired, or can it be taught? |