Celynna | Connecticut, USA

    "I was thinking the other day that us members are all the kids in high school who took our lunch out under the trees instead of at the cafeteria tables.

    It's so refreshing to re-approach subjects without already having a preconceived notion of what is the expected answer you're meant to regurgitate and give. The Reading Society is an amazing group of individuals from all walks, views, and values of life and I intend to keep on participating so long as Joshua is orchestrating the course.

    It’s one of the few social media connections I can say has honestly impacted my life for the better."

    "What an incredible experience—especially for someone who was not interested in school growing up. I’m still a procrastinating crammer but I truly enjoyed exploring the fascinating and very relevant history of Ancient Greece. The Reading Society has introduced me to something very special and I’m definitely going to continue exploring it further.

    I’m actually quite shy and I don’t like talking in front of people before I'm comfortable, but The NCRS introduces people from all over the world and creates an intimate little escape to expand our horizons, at a time when everything else is trying to shut us down. 

   The Ancient Greece semester summarizes such intense material, and so wittily—it's brilliant. I just appreciated the realness and the rarity of it. Never did I know Greek history would make so much make sense in life as we know it now.

    I'm very grateful to have stumbled upon this New Cavalier Reading Society and to have been a part of this semester. It brought me a lot of joy."

Erin | Arizona,  USA

Peter & Renelle | London, UK

 "The most amazing intellectual experience (in a long time) for both of us."

Michele | Atlanta, USA

Lauren | Melbourne, Australia

    "Quite honestly game changing for people who want to learn history. Josh has an immense talent for distilling and making history digestible for the common man—not an easy task.

    The New Cavalier Reading Society helped me place the little I knew into context and to understand some of the key developments in Western thought (e.g. morality and Christianity)—and it's given me a solid grounding in all subsequent history and put philosophy into context.

    Josh is an exceptionally good tutor. His enthusiasm for the subject is infectious and
he patiently answered all our questions while guiding the weekly discussion.

I enjoyed the conversations each week so much that I started reading around

them and actively looked forward to them.

    I cannot recommend The New Cavalier Reading Society highly enough."

    "If you have ever looked around and thought: "I wish I knew someone who likes art or books, or philosophy, or culture, or history as much as me.  Where are those people?"  Well, the answer is right here in The New Cavalier Reading Society.

    The Commonplace Books — beautiful volumes teeming with passages from authors, historians, political figures, poets & philosophers —  spark thought, prick curiosity, and inspire further reading. And every week we get together online for fun, informal discussions to share our answers and listen to each other, always going on tangents that make each tutorial unique.  You may have lots to say one week, and little the next—but every week you'll learn something new.

    No matter what your background you’ll be warmly welcomed then partake in the readings and discussions on the widest range of cultural topics with friendly, energetic, like-minded people from around the world."

Melissa  | Toronto, Canada

Nicholas | North Carolina, USA

    "You know those moments in your life when you stumble upon something beautiful—magical even—and you’ve realized it’s what you’ve wanted to be a part of all along? 

    That’s exactly how I feel about The New Cavalier Reading Society. 

    I always wanted to become more well-read and to find a community of active-minded, free-thinking renegades who relish the opportunity to discuss the deeper and finer things in life, AND from all around the globe. The Reading Society, I tell you, is exactly what I’ve been looking for and Joshua facilitates open discussion and thinking like no other person I’ve met in my generation. 

    Getting the wonderful Commonplace Books would be worth the price of admission alone, but with the addition of the wonderful Society members and the opportunity to think again for yourself, it’s a no brainer.

    Go and join!"

    "From the Ancient Greeks to the creators of South Park, Joshua has compiled an infinite supply of literary treasures within the pages of The Commonplace Books. They provide endless pleasure in pursuing a deeper understanding of human endeavours in history, philosophy, religion, art, & poetry; the list is endless.

    Each week a global community of fascinating society members read the same 25 pages then seek answers to the weekly tutorial questions & discussion topics. The live tutorials are engaging, thought-provoking, stimulating, and of course, very amusing; with a comedy novelist as your tutor, it’s impossible to avoid having a chuckle.

    Since signing up to The New Cavalier Reading Society I’ve gained invaluable insight into my character, and I strive to apply the wisdom gained to the richness of my daily life. If you’re a seeker of knowledge, a dreamer, a romantic, or a stoic, joining The NCRS  is a beautiful way to expand your mind by peering into the kaleidoscope of humanity."

Laura | Sydney,  Australia

Patrick  | Edinburgh, UK

    "As soon as I joined The New Cavalier Reading Society I thought—I've found my people. Not in the sense that we were all the same, but that I’d found intellectual (but in no

way pretentious) discussion with opinions and knowledge so different to my own.

I didn't just learn things, I expanded in ways I didn't expect, I stretched

myself in the opinions I hold, and I began to reassess why I think the way I do. 

    And really what, at the end of the day, is more enjoyable than discussing art, philosophy, history, and life with delightful people? Josh is an amazing facilitator, and he has

created an inclusive and fun society that I feel lucky to be a part of.

    Be careful though, the NCRS gets into your bones and it's not so easy to shake off."

    "The New Cavalier Reading Society is my new addiction. 

    A group of diverse people brought together by a restless, learned, & talented young writer whose intellect never ceases to amaze us, Josh has managed to keep us each day more enthused, respecting each other's opinions, and cherishing each other's company as we truly & passionately pursue wisdom together.

    There are just so many great things to say about The Reading Society that it’s hard to narrow it down, but I think one of the best things is The Commonplace Books. They’re organised in a way that even if you’re familiar with high literary artistic or philosophical traditions, you’re still going to enjoy it a lot, and discover books that you haven’t read or heard of.

    And if you’re new to all this, this is a great place to start: you’re going to meet great people, you’re going to make friendships for life, and it’s a great place to discuss ideas and have fun."

Sergio | São Paulo, Brazil

Claire  | Virginia, USA

    "I joined The New Cavalier Reading Society in 2020. What a great decision. 

    At first I was nervous about the whole thing. Skyping with strangers and sharing my deeply

held beliefs and ideas? Scary! Now after only a few weeks, I feel much more at ease and SO grateful that I decided to join. It’s a bright spot in my week and I now look forward

to catching up with my fellow Cavaliers.

    We come from different backgrounds, and everyone brings something unique to the table.

You don't have to worry about impressing your tutor or even agreeing with him. On the contrary, we’re encouraged to disagree and debate and the atmosphere is respectful

and open. And politics are off the table. It’s refreshing. Josh prepares thoughtful questions, shares great resources, and encourages each of us individually and is genuinely

interested in what everyone thinks & has to say.

    I wasn't sure if I would “have time” to devote to the weekly readings and discussion sessions. Turns out, that’s not an issue:
   I make time because I enjoy it so much."