How bravery finds a way to break free

The Society of Timid Souls Or, How to be Brave

**By Polly Morland**

**Profile Books, €18.90**

**Reviewed by Brendan Daly**

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In a soundproofed room of his Manhattan apartment, Bernard Gabriel convened the inaugural meeting of an eccentric fraternity. As the Second World War raged, Gabriel promised to heal four nervous pianists of their private terror: stage fright. As each performed, Gabriel intimidated them by orchestrating the banging of doors, flinging a telephone ...