For Mavericks Only

About the Book

This is a collection of essays represents an attempt by the author to strike a blow for the freedom of thought and expression- even if its wrong. Anything that smacks of orthodoxy is avoided where possible, and rigidity of thinking and establishing dogma are treated with equal suspicion.

No claim is made for scholarship, only for an honest attempt to eliminate some of the prejudices from which we all suffer. "Don't kid yourself" is the goal that is strived for - though it may seldom be reached.

Above all, it is hoped that these essays my encourage some people to think for themselves rather than to passively absorb the dubious pronouncements of our self-styled 'authorities', 'religious' and otherwise, who are only too willing to tell us how we should live and what we should believe. This should be our decision only. We betray our birthright when we allow other people to do our thinking for us.

About the Author

Donal Beckett, born in Ireland, is an Irish, British, Canadian, American citizen of the world who has had a varied career as a British Army Medical Offi cer in World War 2, then a surgeon in a London hospital prior to his emigration with his family to a small town in Western Canada, where he practiced medicine and earned a precarious living doing house-calls to remote farm-houses. He then moved to the U.S. and undertook training in psychiatry which he practiced until his retirement in 1984. Now in his nineties, he lives quietly with his wife in the Tacoma area on the West coast surrounded by his extended family and fi gures he never had it so good.