As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
On The Table Read Magazine, “the best book magazine in the UK“, in A Life in Perspective, William R Armstrong transcends the traditional memoir to delve into the human experience with a blend of personal history and philosophical inquiry.
A Life In Perspective
In an era where introspection is often sidelined by the rapid pace of life, William R Armstrong’s new memoir, A Life In Perspective is a beacon of reflective thought. Intertwining his rich personal history with a wholehearted exploration of existential questions, Armstrong presents a narrative that is both unique and universally relevant.
Part memoir, part social and economic history, and part reflection, with A Life In Perspective, Armstrong has declared he wrote the book to make sense of the life he has lived, and to be faithful to the truth he perceives.
Dividing into four parts, A Life in Perspective offers different lenses through which to view Armstrong’s life and the world at large. From his roots in industrial Britain to the emotional upheavals of adolescence, and from his decades-long career to his thought-provoking reflections in later life, this book is a tapestry of complex experiences and multi-faceted ideas. The book challenges readers to consider and evaluate their own beliefs and the narratives that shape their understanding of the world, making it not just a memoir, but a philosophical guide for the modern age.
Questions Asked In A Life In Perspective:
- Has humanity progressed?
- Is tribalism and resulting conflict inevitable?
- Is corruption the unavoidable consequence of power?
- How do we know what is true?
- Are we simply the animals of biological science?
- Is there a purpose to human experience?
- What constitutes good?
- Is death the end of consciousness and existence?
William R Armstrong
William R Armstrong uses his memoir, A Life In Perpective, to look back at his life, his forebears and the environment that shaped him. He shares the emotional turmoil of his adolescence as well as the challenges of work and career.
In The Reflections part of his book, Armstrong seeks to achieve perspective. It appraises the world of today, contemporary assumptions and notions of progress, as well as the nature of power and the value of social cohesion. Finally, the book considers the perennial idea of life having meaning and consequently purpose, drawing on many sources from across the ages.
In writing this book, I sought not just to recount my history or the journey of humanity, but to delve into the deeper questions that define us as people. My aim was to bridge the gap between personal experience and universal truths, to explore how our individual lives are interwoven with the larger tapestry of history, society and philosophy, as well as consider the dimension of spirituality. I have tried to move beyond tribalism to consider universal and perennial issues that we all face.
This is an invitation to readers to join me in this exploration – to question, to reflect,and perhaps to re-assess what it means to be human, in the hope that that might help us collectively better navigate the present and clarify future purpose.
-William R Armstrong
Armstrong was born in Glossop, Derbyshire in 1948, attended Whitfield Infant school, and then Glossop Grammar school. After completing GCE ‘O’ levels he worked for 4 years before returning to full time education with a two year course at Stockport Technical College, followed by a one year course at Brighton Polytechnic.
In 1972 he married and started work at the Cambridgeshire based business of Spicers Limited. There he had a 34 year long career rising from accountancy trainee to Chief Executive of the company. He fully retired in 2008 and shortly afterwards took on the part-time roles of Chair and Treasurer of the Cambridgeshire Branch of the NSPCC, this involved working with his wife and other volunteers who raised funds for the charity. He relinquished those posts in 2023.
 He has been married twice and has three daughters.
Find more from William R Armstrong now:
Kindle: https://amzn.to/47FB07d
Paperback: https://amzn.to/3vF84Pi
Bookshops may purchase copies from IngramSpark: https://ingramspark.com
For more information about the author and book, visit: https://alifeinperspective.wordpress.com/
We strive to keep The Table Read free for both our readers and our contributors. If you have enjoyed our work, please consider donating to help keep The Table Read going!
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates.