Sheehan Quirke, The Cultural Tutor: Forty-nine Lessons You Wish You Learned at School (affiliate link). London: Viking, 2025. 470 pages.
I read The Cultural Tutor with my book club and found it interesting. It’s divided into seven sections (or “pillars,” as the author refers to them), each one addressing a different topic or group of topics: (1) history; (2) the forces that shaped history; (3) architecture; (4) art; (5) thinking, speaking, and writing; (6) ways of living; and (7) our present day. Author Sheehan Quirke states, “This book is about art, architecture, history, literature, poetry, philosophy, war, technology, and love. That sounds like a lot, but they could all be summed up in a single word: culture” (1). Quirke describes this book as a “cultural primer” (3). It’s filled with quotations and pictures, which will make for a great conversation when our club meets to discuss it.
The author takes the reader on a whirlwind tour of history, architecture, and art. He certainly sparks interest in learning more about the topics he addresses in the book’s 450 pages. He makes many thought-provoking statements and covers a lot of ground, so I’ll just mention some highlights.
In the section about history, Quirke cites the famous adage, “History rhymes but it never repeats” (65). He quotes many well-known historical figures and concludes that “. . . even if we wish to disregard history, we should at least know what we are disregarding” (15).
In the next section, he examines the forces that have impacted history. He suggests that shipping containers or refrigeration may have exerted a greater influence on history than have famous generals. He muses, “. . . the next time you open a refrigerator, consider for a moment that this innocuous machine might have done more to change our world than Napoleon and all his wars” (118).
One of the most interesting sections of the book addresses architecture. Quirke points out that mass production and scale have made today’s buildings significantly more boring. He claims, “Besides, to appeal to the widest possible market a cupboard must be neutral and without personality; that way nobody can object to it. But the sum of all tastes is no taste” (122). He complains that “. . . old materials and old methods have steadily been eliminated to the extent that our ‘enlightened’ world has unavoidably condemned itself to standardized, colourlessness and synthetic texturelessness” (125).
In the section addressing things humans have created, Quirke posits that “. . . the most important thing we ever invented was language” (266). He concludes, “If you can think clearly, speak truthfully, and write well, you have learned everything you will ever need to know” (268). He highly encourages people to read but urges discernment. He argues that “bad books are worse for your brain than beer” (273). I appreciate his focus on classics that have stood the test of time.
In the section about thinking, Quirke underscores the importance of maintaining a posture of humility. He quotes Thomas a Kempis, who advised, “If it seems to thee that thou knowest many things, and understandest them well enough; know in all that, the things thou art ignorant of still are more” (274).
In the seventh and final section, Quirke points out, “What people say about modernity is exactly what people have always said about their present day” (387). He claims, “We are separated from our ancestors by a gulf of time, not nature” (393). I appreciate his view of history and how we can learn from it. He cautions that “It is particularly easy to criticize the past, but that same high-minded judgment with which we condemn our ancestors will be the rod for our own backs when future generations condemn us” (395).
Quirke concludes by championing education. He argues that “being educated makes us happier, stronger, and wiser; it helps us think more clearly, love more deeply, live more vigorously, both personally and collectively. Education is the place from which the winds of peace blow, the skill through which we learn to overcome our most barbarous instincts and together inch, however slowly, toward our better and nobler nature” (425).
I liked this book. The author draws deeply from history and covers a lot of cultural territory. I enjoyed his summary of architecture and how it has evolved over time. I would have appreciated a lengthier overview of the different artforms, but he focuses instead on how and why to appreciate art.
This is a great introductory book. I’m sure we’ll be seeing more from Quirke in the years to come!
Rating: 3
Leave a Reply