The society of timid souls

Polly Morland makes documentaries. Even if I wasn't told this about her, I would have been able to figure it out from this book. Rather than a documentary, this time, however, Morland decided to write a book. Her subject is courage.

Morland opens by taking us to a meeting of the Society of Timid Souls, an organization that formed after Pearl Harbor, when America, both individually and as a country, was fearful, and which was created to encourage bravery. Morland confides that she herself should be a member of such a society and she invites all of us readers to join her in her search to become more courageous. Like a documentary, Morland, in her book, seeks out and shares stories of great courage. Somehow, just reading about people who have done brave acts seems to encourage all of us to engage in a life of less fear.