The West in a Nutshell is a book of reflective essays, written in the early 2000s, which subject human civilization, but most specifically Western civilization to scrutiny. They invite the reader to ponder both the origins of human civilization as such, including the origins of language and of warfare, and the riches of Western civilisation, from pre-classical antiquity to modern society. Their range is close to unique in the world of letters and the book, which acknowledges Plutarch, Montaigne and Emerson as models, goes far towards showing why their author has so often been dubbed a polymath.
Exploring topics from history to religion, sport, poetry, opera, philosophy and geopolitics, Paul beckons the reader into the halls of Western culture.