This is a series of blog drafts that use the analogy of World War I trench warfare to explore the challenges and mindset of men in middle age. It draws parallels between the static, attritional warfare of the trenches and the feeling of being stuck or worn down in midlife. The content covers the historical context of trench warfare—machine guns, fortified trench systems, artillery, and the overall defensive nature of the conflict—and relates these elements to modern-day struggles with career stagnation, health concerns, and loss of purpose. The aim is to provide tactical advice and a shift in mindset, encouraging resilience, adaptation, and a focus on practical strategies for navigating the "No Man's Land" of middle age. The writing style is informal, direct, and uses military analogies extensively to connect with readers.

The discussion explores how Beowulf's boasting aligns with the Anglo-Saxon heroic code. Boasting, while seemingly arrogant today, was a cultural norm that established worth, boosted morale, and enhanced clan reputation. It created expectations that had to be met with action, as failure to fulfil a boast brought dishonour. While fate played a role, boasting served as a tool to define identity, prepare for battle, strengthen social bonds, and establish dominance, with the understanding that words had to be matched by deeds. The consequences for failing to live up to a boast could be severe, including social ostracism or death.

Drafts that use the analogy of World War I trench warfare to explore the challenges and mindset of men in middle age. It draws parallels between the static, attritional warfare of the trenches and the feeling of being stuck or worn down in midlife. The content covers the historical context of trench warfare—machine guns, fortified trench systems, artillery, and the overall defensive nature of the conflict—and relates these elements to modern-day struggles with career stagnation, health concerns, and loss of purpose. The aim is to provide tactical advice and a shift in mindset, encouraging resilience, adaptation, and a focus on practical strategies for navigating the "No Man's Land" of middle age. The writing style is informal, direct, and uses military analogies extensively to connect with readers.

These are five (actually eight) books that I think are a must for anyone thinking seriously about studying Beówulf

Deterrence Through Presence: Middle-aged men can fend off irrelevance by cultivating a threatening, unpredictable presence that discourages attacks before they start. Reputation, uncertainty, and a willingness to go further build this deterrence.

Strategic Retreat: Sometimes the best move is no move at all. Trading space for time—disengaging and retreating—allows you to think strategically, exploit vulnerabilities, and infuriate aggressors.

Self-Knowledge is Power: Use periods of retreat to understand your strengths, weaknesses, and values. Embrace your experience and use it to anticipate enemy moves.

The Blog post explores J.R.R. Tolkien's interpretation of Beowulf, particularly his emphasis on the poem's themes of mortality and heroism. Tolkien viewed Beowulf as an elegy, where the awareness of death heightens the significance of courageous deeds performed out of duty rather than a desire for glory. The "Northern Theory of Courage," as defined by Tolkien, is central, highlighting facing what must be faced even in the face of certain death. This perspective profoundly influenced Tolkien's own writing, particularly The Lord of the Rings, where characters grapple with mortality and the fading of their world. While acknowledging counterarguments, the script presents Tolkien's analysis as a deeply insightful and influential reading of the poem.

This piece argues that men in middle age often make poor decisions due to the "emotion default," reacting impulsively instead of strategically. Using examples from The Godfather, the Olympics, and a personal anecdote, it highlights the dangers of unchecked emotions. The piece emphasizes the importance of recognizing and controlling emotions, especially when compounded by biological factors like sleep deprivation and stress, in order to avoid disastrous consequences.

This article explores the epic Beowulf through the lens of fate (wyrd), the heroic code, and the growing influence of Christianity in a pagan world. Fate is portrayed as both a guiding and inevitable force, often intertwined with divine will. Beowulf exemplifies the heroic code through courage, loyalty, and legacy-building actions, such as boasting and honorable combat. The story navigates a cultural transition, juxtaposing pagan notions of destiny and revenge with Christian themes of divine providence and moral judgment. Ultimately, Beowulf presents a world where heroism, mortality, and spiritual evolution converge.

This newsletter/blog post uses the historical example of the Military Revolution, triggered by the invention and development of gunpowder, as a metaphor for the challenges faced by men over 40 experiencing mid-life stagnation. It argues that just as gunpowder rendered traditional military strategies and social structures obsolete, modern technological and economic shifts can make established skills and career paths outdated. The post encourages men to acknowledge these changes, acquire new skills, embrace innovation, and take risks to avoid being "left behind" and to become a "force to be reckoned with" in this new landscape. It advocates for continuous learning, diversification, and experimentation in both career and personal life.

Kevin Kiernan’s Beowulf and the Beowulf Manuscript argues that to fully understand Beowulf, we must examine the manuscript itself, not just the poem. He emphasizes that the physical aspects—such as handwriting, parchment, damage, and restorations—reveal crucial historical and interpretive context. Kiernan challenges traditional assumptions about the manuscript’s date and completeness, suggesting it may have been altered or compiled from multiple stories. He highlights the importance of paleography and physical analysis to uncover how scribes shaped the text. Ultimately, the manuscript isn’t just a container for the poem—it’s a key part of the story itself.

This newsletter, "The Ageing Warrior," offers strategic advice for men over 40 to navigate mid-life challenges. It emphasises prioritising battles by identifying strengths and delegating weaknesses to conserve limited resources. The newsletter further advocates for the counterattack strategy, drawing inspiration from Napoleon and Jujitsu. It promotes patience, strategic thinking, and leveraging opponents' weaknesses to turn difficult situations around in work, relationships, and personal life. The overall message is to approach mid-life not as a crisis but as a campaign requiring strategy, ruthlessness, and triumph.

The newsletter delves into the intriguing and turbulent history of the Nowell Codex, famously known as the Beowulf manuscript. It illuminates the Codex's unique makeup as a compilation of distinct texts, its custodians like Laurence Nowell and Sir Robert Cotton, the near-catastrophic fire it survived, and its current abode in the British Library. The newsletter emphasizes the manuscript's significance as a connection to our history and a testament to preservation.

This newsletter addresses middle-aged men experiencing stagnation and a lack of fulfillment. It advocates for taking control of one's life through clear thinking, inspired by Shane Parrish's "Clear Thinking." The core message emphasizes recognizing and overcoming ingrained, detrimental reactions (defaults) like emotion, ego, social pressures, and inertia. The key technique is "the pause" – a conscious moment to breathe, consider, and choose a response rather than reacting impulsively. The newsletter encourages self-awareness, strategic action, and rejecting mediocrity.

The newsletter argues that modern heroes in fiction and film often fall short of the ideals Beowulf embodies. It criticises the perceived decline of traditional masculine heroism and the rise of "Mary Sue" characters, suggesting a return to qualities like honour, pride, selflessness, and strength is needed. The author uses nostalgic examples from the '80s and '90s to illustrate the point while acknowledging some positive exceptions in superhero films, before lamenting a perceived shift towards weaker male characters and overly powerful female characters in recent years. Ultimately, it calls for a resurgence of the "Beowulfian" hero.

his newsletter uses the teachings of Musashi's "The Book of Five Rings" to provide a strategy for men over 40 to overcome mid-life stagnation. It provides actionable advice based on the five elements of the book to help them regain control, discipline, and direction in their lives.