Popular philosophy Books

Book SynopsisNew 2025 edition of the popular self-help guide, with a brand new cover look!What's this you're writing? asked Pooh, climbing onto the writing table.The Tao of Pooh, I replied.The how of Pooh? asked Pooh, smudging one of the words I had just written.The Tao of Pooh, I replied, poking his paw away with my pencil.It seems more like ow! of Pooh, said Pooh, rubbing his paw.Well, it's not, I replied huffily.What's it about? asked Pooh, leaning forward and smearing another word.It's about how to stay happy and calm under all circumstances! I yelled.Have you read it? asked PoohWinnie-the-Pooh has a certain way about him, a way of doing things that has made him the world''s most beloved bear, and Pooh''s Way, as Benjamin Hoff brilliantly demonstrates, seems strangely close to the ancient Chinese principles of Taoism.Follow the Pooh Way in this humorous and enlightening introduction to Taoism, with classic decorations by E.H.Shepard throughout. Over a million copies sold.Have you collected all the classic Winnie-the-Pooh stories and poetry collections:Winnie-the-PoohThe House at Pooh CornerWhen We Were Very YoungNow We Are SixReturn to the Hundred Acre WoodThe Best Bear in All the WorldOnce There Was a BearTales from the ForestWinter in the WoodTrade Review‘Winnie-the-Pooh has always been a very special (albeit funny old) bear, not least of all because his books are filled with wonderful words of wisdom.', Stylist magazine "Aspects of Taoism told through the characters of 'Winnie the Pooh' – I mean, does it get better?” Meghan Markle ‘Mr. Hoff gives grown-ups permission to rediscover Winnie the Pooh’ New York Times

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'I read this book every day' - Jake Humphrey, author of High Performance 'A generous gift of guidance' - Maria Popova, editor of Brain Pickings 'A richly rewarding spring of practical wisdom to help you focus on what's in your control, eliminate false and limiting beliefs, and take more effective action.' - Jack Canfield, co-author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul® series Daily doses of practical, uplifting philosophy from the bestselling author of The Obstacle is the Way Where can you find joy? What's the true measure of success? How should we manage anger? Find meaning? Conquer grief? The answers to these questions and more lie at the heart of Stoic philosophy. The Daily Stoic is a wise, calming, page-a-day guide to living a good life, offering inspirational daily doses of classic wisdom. Each page features a powerful quotation from the likes of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the playwright Seneca, or philosopher Epictetus, as well as historical anecdotes and thought-provoking commentary to help you tackle any problem, approach any goal and find the serenity, self-knowledge and resilience you need to live well.Trade ReviewIf Stoicism is becoming trendy, you can credit, or blame, Mr. Holiday. * New York Times *The Daily Stoic follows up on the success of [The Obstacle Is The Way] by providing a year of quotations and life lessons drawn from the three great Stoic sages. * Wall Street Journal *A generous gift of guidance on modern living culled from a canon of wisdom hatched long ago. -- Maria Popova, editor of Brain PickingsA richly rewarding spring of practical wisdom to help you focus on what's in your control, eliminate false and limiting beliefs, and take more effective action. Make The Daily Stoic your guide and you will grow in clarity, effectiveness, and serenity each day! -- Jack Canfield, co-author of 'The Success Principles'™ and the 'Chicken Soup for the Soul'® seriesA treasure for managing our choices, overcoming self-deception, and learning to act according to the true worth of things -- Joseph A. Maciariello, author of 'The Daily Drucker'Whether you're a lowly cubicle slave or a US Senator, this book will help you find your still center. -- Gregory Hays, translator of The Modern Library's edition of Marcus Aurelius' 'Meditations'; Professor of Classics and Director of Undergraduate Studies at the University of VirginiaThe Daily Stoic is a treasure for managing our choices, overcoming self-deception, and learning to act according to the true worth of things while keeping the common good always in view. Caring for the soul in this way makes not only better people, but a stronger society too. -- Joseph A. Maciariello, Professor Emeritus at Drucker and Ito Graduate Management School; author of The Daily Drucker, The Effective Executive in Action, and A Year with Peter DruckerReally digging this. -- Debra Messing, actressPraise for The Obstacle is the Way: 'A book for the bedside of every future - and current - leader in the world. -- Robert Greene, author of The 48 Laws of Power and Mastery[The book that's] turning the entrepreneurs and the moguls into hard-wired stoics * The Times *Ryan Holiday is part Machiavelli, part Ogilvy ... this whiz kid is the secret weapon you've never heard of. -- Tim Ferriss, author of The 4-Hour Work Week

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Book SynopsisTHE 10 MILLION COPY BESTSELLERStop people-pleasing and achieve true happiness.Millions have already benefited from the wisdom dispensed in The Courage to Be Disliked, its simple yet profound advice showing us how to harness our inner power to become the person we would like to be.A philosopher and a student have a discussion. Their conversation reveals a profoundly liberating way of thinking: by developing the courage to change, set healthy boundaries and resist the impulse to please others, it is possible to find genuine and lasting happiness.Your life is not something that someone gives you, but something you choose yourself, and you are the one who decides how you live.Trade ReviewThe ideas proffered here will certainly make you think twice about the real cause of the emotional drama in yourlife. A thought-provoking read. * Mail on Sunday *Provides an enlightening and balanced argument that'll leave you much more aware of why you do the things you do. * Emerald Street *The Courage To Be Disliked can easily be consumed in an entire day, but its insightful, humanistic ideas will linger in the minds of readers. It's a self-help book of the most unusual variety, but by empowering people to realise that they hold all the keys to unlocking genuine happiness, it's also one of the most worthwhile things you'll read all year. * Culture Trip *This thoughtful book . . . is almost spookily relevant in this age of digital one upmanship and increasing anxiety. A real game-changer. * Marie Claire *an absorbing recent addition to the self-help subgenre . . . it is primarily an accessible exploration of the work of the Austrian psychotherapist Alfred Adler -- Oliver Burkeman * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisA book for all ages, a book for all time. The Sunday Times and New York Times Number 1 bestselling book that inspired the BAFTA and Oscar-winning animated film.Enter the world of Charlie's four unlikely friends, discover their story and their most important life lessons. The boy, the mole, the fox and the horse have been shared millions of times online. They've also been recreated by children in schools and hung on hospital walls. They sometimes even appear on lamp posts and on cafe and bookshop windows. Here, you will find them together in this book of Charlie's most-loved drawings, adventuring into the Wild and exploring the thoughts and feelings that unite us all.'A wonderful work of art and a wonderful window into the human heart' Richard CurtisTrade ReviewWise words -- James CordenCharlie Mackesy's mesmerizing debut combines the simplicity of 'The Giving Tree', magic of 'The Velveteen Rabbit' and the curiosity of 'Paddington' -- Elisabeth Egan * The New York Times *Simply, the world needs Charlie's work right now. -- Miranda HartLove, friendship and kindness - this book speaks a universal language. -- Bear GryllsA wonderful work of art and a wonderful window into the human heart. -- Richard CurtisPure Joy * London Evening Standard *The world that I am required to inhabit is this one. But the world that I long to inhabit is the one that Charlie Mackesy has created. -- Elizabeth GilbertThose in need of peace will find it between the covers of this elegant picture bookfor adults and children * The New York Times *You will not be able to buy a more beautiful book for Christmas for somebody you love -- Chris EvansSimply, the world needs Charlie's work right now. -- Miranda Hart

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER THE INTERNATIONALLY BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE 48 LAWS OF POWER BRINGS YOU 365 MORE Over the last 25 years, Robert Greene has provided insights into every aspect of being human: whether that be getting what you want, understanding others' motivations, mastering your impulses, or recognising strengths and weaknesses. The Daily Laws distills that wisdom into easy-to-digest daily entries whose content spans power, seduction, war, strategy, politics, productivity, psychology, leadership, and adversity. Not only is this beautifully designed volume the perfect entry point for those new to Greene's penetrating insight, but it will also be a Rosetta stone for existing fans to understand and internalise the many lessons that fill his previous books. Read, re-read, and learn.Trade ReviewMachiavelli has a new rival, and Sun Tzu had better watch his back * New York Times *Teaches you how to connive your own way to the top like masters such as Keats, Darwin or Mozart * GQ *Hollywood producers and rappers are following an unlikely but ruthless guru * Sunday Times *A guide to all manner of devious and tactical schemes ... [Greene] sets out to shine a torch into all the murky corridors of power * Independent on Sunday *The person that gave me the best advice [of my life] was Robert Greene -- 50 Cent

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Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES MUSIC BOOK OF THE YEARA DAILY TELEGRAPH BEST MUSIC BOOK OF THE YEARA TELEGRAPH BEST MUSIC BOOK OF THE YEARA NEW STATESMAN BEST BOOK OF THE YEARFaith, Hope and Carnage is a book about Nick Cave's inner life.Created from over forty hours of intimate conversations with Seán O'Hagan, it is a profoundly thoughtful exploration, in Cave's own words, of what really drives his life and creativity.The book examines questions of faith, art, music, freedom, grief and love. It draws candidly on Cave's life, from his early childhood to the present day, his loves, his work ethic and his dramatic transformation in recent years.From a place of considered reflection, Faith, Hope and Carnage offers ladders of hope and inspiration from a true creative visionary.Trade ReviewAn extraordinary, uplifting book . . . This is a book you could dip into if you had no knowledge of Cave at all, just to find someone unafraid to ask all the big questions: what is grief? What is forgiveness? . . . Everyday carnage has brought forth a book of hope and freedom and life * * Daily Telegraph * *This beautiful book is a lament, a celebration, a howl, a secular prayer, a call to arms, a meditation & an exquisite articulation of the human condition. It will take your breath away -- RACHEL CLARKE * * Observer * *Illuminating . . . a great deal of beauty in Cave's descriptions of the "strange reckless power" that comes when the worst has happened . . . if it meets a need for Cave, it also feels like a gift to the reader * * Sunday Times * *An absolutely wonderful book. I don't think I've ever read so integrated and searching an engagement with how faith works, how creativity works, and how grief is bound up with both -- ROWAN WILLIAMSA masterpiece * * The Age * *Faith, Hope and Carnage redefines the potential potency of a memoir, creating a bold, brave and brilliant book that deserves to be read, reread and cherished as an illuminating reflection of how we haven't developed the vocabulary to adequately explore death and its aftermath * * Irish Times * *Ultimately enriching . . . suffused with love, teeming with ideas * * Guardian * *The most compelling book of the year - raw pain and struggle thought through and explored with rare courage * * New Statesman, Books of the Year * *Immensely eloquent and wise . . . a tender guide to the transformative potential of grief * * Telegraph, Best Music Books of 2022 * *Cave is one hell of a writer . . . An extraordinary, one-of-a-kind book . . . Cave is a miraculously fluent talker, incapable of a dull line. Many of the sentences have an aphoristic punch . . . It is impossible to overstate how unusual it is to find this depth of self-analysis and wisdom from a rock musician. Faith, Hope and Carnage makes most rock memoirs look like skips full of rusty anecdotes and grudges -- DORIAN LYNSKEY * * UnHerd * *

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Book SynopsisBy walking, you escape from the very idea of identity, the temptation to be someone, to have a name and a history ... The freedom in walking lies in not being anyone; for the walking body has no history, it is just an eddy in the stream of immemorial life.In A Philosophy of Walking, a bestseller in France, leading thinker Frédéric Gros charts the many different ways we get from A to B-the pilgrimage, the promenade, the protest march, the nature ramble-and reveals what they say about us. Gros draws attention to other thinkers who also saw walking as something central to their practice. On his travels he ponders Thoreau's eager seclusion in Walden Woods; the reason Rimbaud walked in a fury, while Nerval rambled to cure his melancholy. He shows us how Rousseau walked in order to think, while Nietzsche wandered the mountainside to write. In contrast, Kant marched through his hometown every day, exactly at the same hour, to escape the compulsion of thought. Brilliant and erudite, A Philosophy of Walking is an entertaining and insightful manifesto for putting one foot in front of the other.Trade Review"Resolving to take more walks in the new year might sound like promising to take more naps--choosing idleness over work. But a lot of clever people don't see it that way [...] Frédéric Gros asks why so many of our most productive writers and philosophers--Rousseau, Kant, Rimbaud, Robert Louis Stevenson, Nietzsche, Jack Kerouac--have also been indefatigable walkers." -- Christopher Caldwell * Financial Times *A passionate affirmation of the simple life, and joy in simple things. And it's beautifully written: clear, simple, precise. -- Carole Cadwalladr * Observer *Poignant life-stories ... are interspersed with the author's own meditations on walking... In the way a landscape is gradually absorbed by the long-distance rambler they steadily build into an insistent exhortation: get up, get out and walk! * Independent *Impressive. * Telegraph *"Life-affirming stuff." * National Geographic Traveller *"Philosopher Gros ponders walking, that most mundane mode of transportation or exercise, elevating it to its rightful place in inspiring creativity, evoking freedom, and quieting a troubled soul." * Booklist *"This elegant book inspires consideration of an oft-overlooked subject." * Publisher's Weekly *This short, simple and profound book... will be read and re-read. * Times Higher Education *Frédéric Gros asks why so many of our most productive writers and philosophers - Rousseau, Kant, Rimbaud, Robert Louis Stevenson, Nietzsche, Jack Kerouac - have also been indefatigable walkers . there are certain magical things that happen on the trail, and Gros is familiar with them. He thinks like a hiker. * Financial Times *An admirable little book which will delight even the most sedentary. * Le Monde *An unclassifiable book in which ideas are illuminated by the bright light of the morning. * L’Express *Unpretentious and refreshing. -- Jonathon Sturgeon * Flavorwire *A long walk, Gros suggests, allows us to commune with the sublime. * New York Times *Celebrates the liberation of the mind that comes with walking, especially in natural areas: I hike, therefore, I am. -- Matt Jaffe

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Book Synopsis''A wonderful page-turner about a fascinating idea that should affect the way every thinking person thinks about the world around him'' Michael LewisIn this brilliant and original book, Malcolm Gladwell explains and analyses the ''tipping point'', that magic moment when ideas, trends and social behaviour cross a threshold, tip and spread like wildfire. Taking a look behind the surface of many familiar occurrences in our everyday world, Gladwell explains the fascinating social dynamics that cause rapid change.''Hip and hopeful, THE TIPPING POINT is like the idea it describes: concise, elegant but packed with social power. A book for anyone who cares about how society works and how we can make it better'' George StephanopoulosTrade ReviewA wonderful page-turner about a fascinating idea that should affect the way every thinking person thinks about the world around himGenuinely fascinating and frequently startling . . . The kind of book from which you'll be regaling your friends with intriguing snippets for weeks to come * Scotland on Sunday *A wonderfully offbeat study of that little-understood phenomenon, the social epidemic * Daily Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisWith a new afterword by the authorIn her map to loss, losing and being lost, Rebecca Solnit explores the challenges of living with uncertainty. Meandering eclectically through memory and mortality, Hitchcock movies and heartbreak, Solnit''s beloved account of staying off the beaten path sheds glittering new light on the way we live now.

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Book SynopsisTHE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER 'In story after page-turning story, Lives of the Stoics brings ancient philosophers to life.' - David Epstein, bestselling author of Range 'Wonderful' - Chris Bosh, two-time NBA Champion For millennia, Stoicism has been the ancient philosophy that attracts those who seek greatness, from athletes to politicians and everyone in between. And no wonder: its embrace of self-mastery, virtue and indifference to that which we cannot control has much to offer those grappling with today's chaotic world. But who were the Stoics? In this book, Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman offer a fresh approach to understanding Stoicism through the lives of the people who practiced it - from Cicero to Zeno, Cato to Seneca, Diogenes to Marcus Aurelius. Through short biographies of all the famous, and lesser-known, Stoics, this book will show what it means to live stoically, and reveal the lessons to be learned from their struggles and successes. The result is a treasure trove of insights for anyone in search of living a good life.Trade ReviewStellar work ... This illuminating collection of biographies makes great use of Stoic wisdom to demonstrate the tradition's values * Publisher's Weekly *In story after page-turning story, Lives of the Stoics brings ancient philosophers to life. -- David Epstein, bestselling author of RangeA great read, particularly for a tough time -- Gen. Stanley McChrystal, author of 'Team of Teams' and 'Leaders: Myth and Reality'Wonderful -- Chris Bosh, two-time NBA ChampionThere is philosophy for school and philosophy for life. This book is about the lives of men and women who lived their words and shows you how to do the same. -- Thomas Tull, founder of Legendary EntertainmentWhether you're a general or a gardener, a stockbroker or a senator, there is much to learn from Ryan Holiday's excellent Lives of the Stoics. -- Senator Ben SasseAt a time when public nobility is hard to come by, this is a good reminder of the power of ethical leadership. * Kirkus Reviews *Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman have achieved something remarkable with Lives of the Stoics. It's a gift to the many of us today who are searching for inspiration and sense a deep connection with the thought of Zeno, Cato, Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius. Indispensable to anyone who genuinely wants to learn about Stoic philosophy. -- Donald Robertson, author of How to Think Like a Roman EmperorWith its emphasis on individual success and perserverence, stoicism is seeing an American renaissance. The authors offer brief instructional biographies of its major ancient practitioners. * New York Times *

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Book SynopsisThe follow-up to the BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week Other MindsA Times and Sunday Times Book of the YearA Waterstones Best Book of 2020The scuba-diving philosopher explores the origins of animal consciousness.Dip below the ocean's surface and you are soon confronted by forms of life that could not seem more foreign to our own: sea sponges, soft corals and flower-like worms, whose rooted bodies and intricate geometry are more reminiscent of plant life than anything recognisably animal. Yet these creatures are our cousins. As fellow members of the animal kingdom the Metazoa they can teach us about the evolutionary origins of not only our bodies, but also our minds.In his acclaimed book, Other Minds, Peter Godfrey-Smith explored the mind of the octopus the closest thing to an intelligent alien on Earth. In Metazoa, he expands his inquiry to animals at large, investigating the evolution of experience with the assistance of far-flung species. Godfrey-Smith shows that the appearance of the Trade ReviewA Times and Sunday Times Book of the Year A BBC Science Focus Book of the Month ‘This gentle approach won a wide readership for Godfrey-Smith’s last book and deserves to do the same for this. But perhaps his exploratory style is well-suited, not just to the general reader, but to the problem of consciousness itself’ Times Literary Supplement ‘Enthralling … A rather winning combination of not once ever making readers feel as if they are being lectured to; rather, it is the sensation of joining a wise, ever-patient friend on a time-traveling tour of the cognitive experiences of animals … Metazoa brings an extraordinary and astute look at our own mind’s essential link to the animal world’ Aimee Nezhukumatathil, New York Times ‘A profound scientific drama, in which the lives of quite un-human creatures illuminate deep mysteries about the nature of sentience, and what it means to possess a mind … In Metazoa, the scuba-diving historian and philosopher of science tackles these questions with eloquent boldness … As in Other Minds, Mr Godfrey-Smith recounts close encounters with marine fauna, gleaned from years of diving off the Australian coast. These have an electric immediacy … Evocative [and] gripping’ Barbara Kiser, Wall Street Journal ‘Peter Godfrey-Smith's new book Metazoa is, like his last one, not only deeply interesting but beautifully written. Also, it finally taught me how to pronounce "cnidarian" properly’ Philip Ball ‘Peter Godfrey-Smith writes and thinks like no one else that I know of. He’s well immersed in the science of life, a deep-diver into the philosophical implications of the factual world – and a writer so skillful he can give a reader chills. Metazoa is his deepest dive to date on what life is’ Carl Safina, author of Becoming Wild

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Book SynopsisTHE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLERFull of anecdotes, relatable quotes and beautiful illustrations, this little book makes a wonderful read and thoughtful gift!''Is it the world that''s busy, or my mind?''*****Life moves fast, but that doesn''t mean we have to.In this timely guide to mindfulness, Haemin Sunim, a Buddhist monk born in Korea and educated in the United States, offers advice on everything from handling setbacks to dealing with rest and relationships.Combining his teachings with calming full-colour illustrations, Haemin Sunim''s simple messages speak directly to the anxieties that have become part of modern life and remind us of the strength and joy that come from slowing down.*****''Everyone who wants to thrive more in their life should have it on their nightstand'' Arianna Huffington''Offers practical advice on everything from handling setbacks to relationships. Best for reclaiming your zen'' StylistTrade ReviewEveryone who wants to thrive more in their life should have it on their nightstand -- Arianna HuffingtonUniversal truths, beautifully expressed, lovingly illustrated -- Mark Williams, co-author of 'Mindfulness: Finding Peace in a Frantic World'Ingeniously simple tips from a zen monk that'll boost your mood, career - and relationships * Daily Mail *Offers practical advice on everything from handling setbacks to relationships. Best for reclaiming your zen * Stylist *Taking time is Sunim's thing. He's a Buddhist monk who has become internationally famous for it. Written in response to requests for advice on social media, [The Things You Can See] directly addresses problems facing people around the world -- John-Paul Flintoff * Guardian *Full of insightful and practical advice-and wonderfully portable, like a daily guidebook. I read it with great interest -- Bhante Gunaratana, author of 'Mindfulness in Plain English'Haemin Sunim has offered us a remarkable gift, a compendium of practical wisdom. It is accessible brilliance -- Allan Lokos, founder and guiding teacher, Community Meditation Center, NYC; author of 'Through the Flames', 'Patience', and 'Pocket Peace'A remarkable guide to how to live a life of unpretentious authenticity and compassionate engagement. In Haemin Sunim's brief essays and aphorisms, the insights of Buddhism have fully become the stuff of life itself -- Robert Buswell, Director of Buddhist Studies, UCLAThis book is wonderful-straight from the heart of a wise, kind teacher. Written simply and with gentle humor, it will help you find lasting happiness in a changing world -- Rick Hanson, Ph.D., New York Times bestselling author of 'Buddha’s Brain' and 'Hardwiring Happiness'Loving, practical, and kind, The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down is a beautiful reminder of the rewards of living wisely -- Jack Kornfield, bestselling author of 'A Path with Heart' and 'The Wise Heart'Filled with gems of wisdom, this book will lift up your heart and enliven your spirit -- Tara Brach, author of 'Radical Acceptance' and 'True Refuge'The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down proves what the Wise have always taught: As goes our attention, so comes our experience. The more we attend to living in the present moment, the richer becomes our experience of it . . . and of our own higher possibilities -- Guy Finley, bestselling author of 'The Secret of Letting Go'Perfect for readers looking for a respite from busy lives and tumultuous times . . . Sunim evokes a calm assuredness in his philosophy, reminiscent of Lebanese-American poet Kahlil Gibran * Publishers Weekly *Haemin Sunim's book has a place in my backpack now. When I read it at the coffee shop, my coffee break becomes a meditation break. At bedtime, it brings me peace. And in the morning it inspires me -- Joseph Emet, author of 'Finding the Blue Sky' and 'Buddha’s Book of Meditation'I believe this elegant book will help heal a river of grief that runs through our entire nation, just below the surface, everywhere I go. People ache for time with those they love, with friends and family, with nature. My hope is that everyone who opens this book will immediately find some passage, some way into a secret garden of slow time, where things of great beauty and truth grow, and blossom, in effortless abundance. It is a glorious refuge -- a timely, welcome escape from the pervasive trance of ordinary, relentlessly productive time -- Wayne Muller, bestselling author of 'Sabbath' and 'A Life of Being, Having, and Doing Enough'Wonderful . . . They read almost like haikus -- Lakshmi Singh * All Things Considered (NPR) *

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Book SynopsisTough times don't last. Tough people do. In this book, the author shows that highly improbable and unpredictable events underlie almost everything about our world.Trade ReviewReally made me think about how I think -- Mohsin Hamid * Guardian *The hottest thinker in the world -- Bryan Appleyard * The Sunday Times *A superhero of the mind -- Boyd TonkinWall Street's principal dissident -- Malcolm GladwellA guru for every would-be Damien Hirst, George Soros and aspirant despot -- John Cornwell * Sunday Times *Nassim Taleb, in his exasperating but compelling book Antifragile, praises "things that gain from disorder" - people, policies and institutions designed to thrive on volatility, instead of shattering in the encounter with it -- Oliver Burkman * Guardian *More than just robust or flexible, it actively thrives on disruption -- Julian Baggini * Guardian *Modern life is akin to a chronic stress injury. And the way to combat it is to embrace randomness in all its forms. . . Taleb is the great seer of the modern age * Guardian *Something antifragile actively thrives under the impact of the unexpected...to embrace randomness rather than trying to control it * The Sunday Times *Enduring volatility is one thing; what about benefiting from it? That is what Taleb calls 'antifragility' and he thinks that it is the ultimate model to aspire to - for individuals, financial institutions, even nations. . . May well capture a quality that you have long aspired to without having quite known quite what it is. . . I saw the world afresh * The Times *Taleb takes on everything from the mistakes of modern architecture to the dangers of meddlesome doctors and how overrated formal education is. . . . An ambitious and thought-provoking read . . . highly entertaining * Economist *This is a bold, entertaining, clever book, richly crammed with insights, stories, fine phrases and intriguing asides. . . . I will have to read it again. And again * Wall Street Journal *[Taleb] writes as if he were the illegitimate spawn of David Hume and Rev. Bayes, with some DNA mixed in from Norbert Weiner and Laurence Sterne. . . . Taleb is writing original stuff-not only within the management space but for readers of any literature-and . . . you will learn more about more things from this book and be challenged in more ways than by any other book you have read this year. Trust me on this * Harvard Business Review *What sometimes goes unsaid about Taleb is that he's a very funny writer. Taleb has a finely tuned BS detector, which he wields throughout the book to debunk pervasive yet pernicious ideas. . . . Antifragility isn't just sound economic and political doctrine. It's also the key to a good life * Fortune *At once thought-provoking and brilliant, this book dares you not to read it * Los Angeles Times *

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Book SynopsisThe Number One International bestseller'We need books like this one' - psychologist Steven PinkerAt last, stupidity explained! And by some of the world’s smartest people, among them Daniel Kahneman, Dan Ariely, Alison Gopnik, Howard Gardner, Antonio Damasio, Aaron James and Ryan Holiday.Stupidity is all around us, from the colleagues who won’t stop hitting ‘reply all’ to the former school friends posting conspiracy theories on Facebook. But in order to battle idiocy, we must first understand it. In The Psychology of Stupidity, some of the world’s leading psychologists and thinkers – including a Nobel Prize winner – will show you . . .· Why smart people sometimes believe in utter nonsense· How our lazy brains cause us to make the wrong decisions· Why trying to debate with fools is a trap· How media manipulation and Internet overstimulation makes us dumber· Why the stupidest people don’t think they’re stupidAs long as there have been humans there has been human stupidity, but with wit and wisdom these great thinkers can help us understand this persistent human affliction.Trade ReviewWe need books like this one -- Steven PinkerI was totally hooked. Everybody loves it. * La Grande Librairie *A very clever book. * Le Canard Enchaîné *Can you study stupidity? The answer is a resounding YES. * Le Quotidien *Entertaining and instructive. * France Inter *Clear and accessible to everyone * Lire *A comprehensive and witty inquiry into human folly in its myriad forms . . . [with a] wealth of insights . . . Urgent and transformative, this compendium will leave readers equally amused, appalled, and enlightened. * Publishers Weekly *Are people getting dumber, or does it just look that way? . . . A smart collection. * Kirkus Reviews *Remarkably comprehensive and accessible . . . The book has an easygoing, colloquial feel to it. . . . An illuminating look at a subject that is more complex than it might appear to be. * Booklist *Fascinating . . . From morons to idiots to *ssholes, they’re all here. * News24, South Africa *A blunt and sometimes hilarious examination of human error. * Business Day, South Africa *

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Book SynopsisIn the afterlife you may find that God is the size of a microbe and unaware of your existence. Or you may find the afterlife contains only those people whom you remember. In some afterlives you are split into all your different ages; in some you are recreated based on your credit-card records; and in others you are forced to live with annoying versions of yourself that represent what you could have been.In these wonderfully imagined tales - at once funny, wistful and unsettling - Eagleman kicks over the chessboard of traditional notions and offers us a dazzling lens through which to see ourselves here and now. His stories are rooted in science and romance and awe at our mysterious existence: a mixture of hope, love and death that cuts through human nature at innovative angles.Trade ReviewWitty, bright, sharp and unexpected . . . as surprising a book as I've read for years. Every story is a new Heaven. -- Brian EnoA very well-written, very funny and very thought-provoking book that makes you realize that when it comes to the afterlife, most religions suffer from an acute shortage of imagination. Sum immediately made me think of several more alternative afterlives * * Yuval Noah Harari * *SUM is terrific. It's such a good idea that I was grinding my teeth all the way through wishing I'd thought of it first. The inventiveness, the clarity and wit of the prose, the calm air of moral understanding that pervades the whole thing, add up to something completely original. I hope Sum will be the great big hit it deserves to be. -- Philip PullmanBrilliantly realised, blazingly original, Sum isn't so much about the next life as this one. Eagleman's stories - parables? - a chilly reminder of our foibles and delusions. -- Colin Waters * * Sunday Herald * *40 intriguing tales describing different heavenly scenarios ... and all formidably imagined ... Readers may discover much to appreciate - not least the lives they are living now, still so much better than some nightmares in these pages ... quirky, occasionally unsettling ... never short of new new ideas, all of them rolled out with style. -- Nicholas Tucker * * Independent * *This delightful, thought-provoking little collection belongs to that category of strange, unclassifiable books that will haunt the reader long after the last page has been turned. It is full of tangential insights into the human condition and poetic thought experiments ... full of touching moments and glorious wit of the sort one only hopes will be incopious supply on the other side. * * The New York Times * *This stunningly original book is little more than 100 pages long. You can get through it in an hour, but you'd be mad to hurry, and you will certainly want to return to it many times ... Sum has the unaccountable, jaw-dropping quality of genius. It seems exquisitely adapted to fill the contemporary longing for a kind of secular holy book. -- Geoff Dyer * * Observer * *It does what it says in the title - satirical, playful, troubling, inventive, thought provoking and often funny takes on possible afterlives. A complete one off. I've been buying it and giving to friends and family. Everyone is delighted. Keep by the bed and feed yourself one or two before turning out the light. -- Andrew Greig * * Sunday Herald * *Mind-bending . . . Thought-provoking and life-affirming with the dose of humour I enjoy. To help me appreciate the here and now rather than agonising about the "what-ifs" * * Daily Telegraph * *SUM is an imaginative and provocative book that gives new perspectives on how to view ourselves and our place in the world. * * Alan Lightman, author of EINSTEIN'S DREAM * *I suppose there could be people who dislike Canongate's latest find ... those, dare one say it, without poetry in their souls. For the rest - the millions who even in a post-religious, secular society find themselves at unexpected moments wondering who or what God is, if he's not a little old man sitting on a cloud. -- Mary Crockett * * Scotsman * *This is as much an object of desire as an actual book ... elegant, surreal and philosophically questioning, each story from neuroscientist Eagleman offers an inventive, thought-provoking blend of science and romance ... sly wit, ingenuity and oddly acute insight into the vagaries of the human condition. -- Tina Jackson * * Metro * *The most thought provoking stocking filler you could hope to find: a slender volume of bite size vignettes pondering what happens after we die. * * Scotsman * *Whimsical, dark and sometimes funny -- CATHERINE STEADMAN * * Daily Express * *Clever, memorable stuff. -- Lottie Moggach * * The London Paper * *Charming, a bit whimsical, and thought-provoking. -- Mark SarvasA clever book. -- Robert Hanks * * Daily Telegraph * *

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Book SynopsisThe inspirational sequel to 12 RULES FOR LIFE, which has sold over 10 million copies around the world - now in paperbackIn 12 Rules for Life, acclaimed public thinker and clinical psychologist Jordan B. Peterson offered an antidote to the chaos in our lives: eternal truths applied to modern anxieties. His insights have helped millions of readers and resonated powerfully around the world.Now in this long-awaited sequel, Peterson goes further, showing that part of life''s meaning comes from reaching out into the domain beyond what we know, and adapting to an ever-transforming world. While an excess of chaos threatens us with uncertainty, an excess of order leads to a lack of curiosity and creative vitality. Beyond Order therefore calls on us to balance the two fundamental principles of reality - order and chaos - and reveals the profound meaning that can be found on the path that divides them.In times of instability and suffering, Peterson Trade ReviewThe advice in Beyond Order reflects some new and painful awareness of mortality. But it was always Peterson's intimate, self-revealing style that made his life advice so powerful, so energising, and so hard to reduce to politics * Telegraph *A sui generis kind of personal trainer for the soul.... It's a good thing that there's space on the self-help shelves for a book as bracingly pessimistic as this one... Peterson offers an invaluable reminder that we're finite and inherently imperfect -- Oliver Burkeman * Guardian (Book of the Week) *Life-changingly inspirational * The Times *Full of sensible, humane advice, and shows he is still very much on top... The book is a validation of his own role; as he observes, being able to articulate what many people instinctively feel but can't articulate is a valuable role for a public intellectual -- Melanie McDonagh * Evening Standard *In telling us that life is suffering (as all major religions do) and that the goal is to find meaning rather than happiness, he does have something to say. ... wisdom combined with good advice. Peterson is at his best when telling stories of his clinical practice - he comes across as an empathetic non-judgmental listener -- Suzanne Moore * Telegraph *More trenchant life advice from the bestselling author of 12 Rules for Life... bound to be a bestseller * The Times *Reliably thought-provoking, often engrossing ... Peterson has a sharp eye for the vagaries of human nature, and he can be a compelling storyteller, especially when narrating his own experiences and those he has observed from life. There is a fair amount of wisdom in Beyond Order, of the kind that used to be called common sense -- Jenny McCartney * UnHerd *Part quest, part adventure, part lecture and part polemic... There's masses of passion, masses of wisdom and a deep, deep yearning for us all to seek the beauty, truth and meaning Peterson has sometimes glimpsed and is desperate for us to find. He has had tens of thousands of letters from people who say he has helped them to find it. How many writers can say they have done that? -- Christina Patterson * Sunday Times *[Peterson is] enlightening as a clinical psychologist... Peterson's rules are an attempt to locate people within society, to acknowledge the systems and structures that have long existed and, instead of seeking to tear them down, encourage his readers to find their most functional position within them -- Andrew Anthony * Observer *Beyond Order showcases Peterson's extraordinary gift for storytelling, as well as for extrapolating complex psychological themes and deriving lessons and meaning from them in ways lay readers can understand... A delight to read... Peterson is a world class communicator... Beyond Order is a compelling and ultimately life-affirming read for anyone willing to challenge their own ideas and face up to the untapped potential in their lives -- Greg Jameson * Entertainment Focus *Gratitude, he says, is "something in which you can discover part of the antidote to the abyss and the darkness". As I read this last line, I found myself saying "amen". And I realised what Jordan Peterson really is. He has suffered more than most of us. He has seen the abyss. And he has emerged from it not a top public intellectual but a highly driven, intelligent, complex and deservedly successful preacher -- Lucy Kellaway * Financial Times *[Beyond Order] has psychological value and if you want homespun common sense that is mixed with the wisdom of the ages then this is the book for you. The 12 new rules are clearly laid out with a mix of literature, mythology, philosophy, religion and psychology used to support the significance of each... It's worth reading to equip you to live a more purposeful and a more meaningful life -- Stella O’Malley * Irish Independent *'With Beyond Order, Jordan Peterson has given us an astonishingly illuminating look at the human condition. Rule by rule, he digs into the cornerstones of our psyche and culture as he seeks to explain why we behave the way we do' -- Hannah Gal * Quillette *Peterson is a deep thinker with tremendous powers of articulation and a captivating sense of wonder. A master storyteller, he draws on a multitude of sources, including his personal life, clinical practice and long marriage to enlighten readers about the fundamentals of human behavior and our civilization. Beyond Order is a call for action and self-improvement. It is a mind-blowing journey where the lessons learnt are lessons for life * The Jerusalem Post *

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Book SynopsisThe sequel to the global bestseller The Courage To Be Disliked, the Japanese phenomenon in applying twentieth-century psychology to contemporary dilemmas continues with life-changing advice on finding happiness._______________________________________________________________________________In The Courage To Be Happy, Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga again distil their wisdom into simple yet profound advice to show us how we, too, can use twentieth-century psychological theory to find true happiness.ON THE COURAGE TO BE DISLIKED:The ideas proffered here will certainly make you think twice about the real cause of the emotional drama in your life. A thought-provoking read. - Mail on Sunday.A real game-changer - Marie Claire.Trade ReviewThe ideas proffered here will certainly make you think twice about the real cause of the emotional drama in yourlife. A thought-provoking read. -- (On THE COURAGE TO BE DISLIKED) * Mail on Sunday *Provides an enlightening and balanced argument that'll leave you much more aware of why you do the things you do. -- (On THE COURAGE TO BE DISLIKED) * Emerald Street *A real game-changer -- (On THE COURAGE TO BE DISLIKED) * Marie Claire *One of the most worthwhile things you'll read all year -- (On THE COURAGE TO BE DISLIKED) * Culture Trip *Table of ContentsPART I: That Bad Person and Poor Me PART II: Why Negate Reward and Punishment? PART III: From the Principle of Competition to the Principle of Cooperation PART IV: Give, and It Shall Be Given Unto You PART V: Choose a Life You Love

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Book SynopsisBruce Lee's daughter illuminates her father's most powerful life philosophies, and how we can apply his teachings to our daily lives'Empty your mind; be formless, shapeless like water'Bruce Lee is a cultural icon, world renowned for his martial arts and film legacy. But Lee was also a deeply philosophical thinker, believing that martial arts are more than just an exercise in physical discipline - they are a perfect metaphor for personal growth.In Be Water, My Friend, Shannon Lee shares previously untold stories from her father's life along with the concepts at the core of his teachings. Each chapter reveals a lesson from Bruce Lee, expanding on the foundation of his iconic 'be water' philosophy to reveal a path to an enlightened way of being.This is an inspirational call to action to consider our lives with new eyes and a testament to Lee's unique power to ignite our imaginations and transform our lives.'A slender, potent book twining her father's timeless philosophies of living with her own reflections' Maria PopovaTrade ReviewA slender, potent book twining her father's timeless philosophies of living with her own reflections -- Maria PopovaAn inspirational commemorative for Lee aficionados and those sharpening their personal-growth skills * Kirkus *This inspired guide will remind any reader that, while one cannot control external circumstance, how one responds is always a choice. * Publishers Weekly *An inspirational commemorative for Lee aficionados and those sharpening their personal-growth skills * Kirkus *This inspired guide will remind any reader that, while one cannot control external circumstance, how one responds is always a choice. * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisAn essential set of tools and principles for healing your heart, finding love, and loving life.Finding love can be hard. Being single can feel even harder. In Love Life, world-renowned coach and New York Times bestselling author Matthew Hussey provides a practical roadmap for letting go of past relationships, overcoming the fear of getting left behind, and finding the love we want.Sometimes it feels like life and love are working against us. Just finding someone we like can be a struggle. Even when we do, we often find they're not ready, or they want different things. Then there's the internal fears and anxieties that lead us to self-sabotagethe ones that make us indulge the wrong behavior, hold back from expressing our needs for fear of losing someone, or overinvest in people and lose ourselves in the process. Love Life sheds light on these common patterns and how to overcome them, by showing us how to adopt new standards, elegantly communicate them, and develop the deepest levels of confidence that underpin them. Like many of us, Hussey has gone through major life changes over the past decade, and he opens up about his experiences, vulnerabilities, and mistakes.Love Life is about doing love better. More than a book about romantic relationships, Love Life shows us how to take control of each of the major relationships in our lives: our relationship with others, our relationship with ourselves, and our relationship with life itself.Our love lives have the power to elevate or eradicate the adjacent joy in our lives. Love Life sets you on the path to finding the love of your life, while deepening your love for life.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewA thinker for uncertain times. . . If you want to better understand populism, Trump, Brexit and the anti-establishment backlash then Taleb, of no party or clique, is your man -- Josh Glancy * Sunday Times *A great iconoclast. . . Taleb, a Wall Street trader turned essayist, is a thinker touched by genius. . . The big picture he presents is powerfully argued and offers myriad policy implications -- Matthew Syed * The Times *The most prophetic voice of all . . . Taleb is a genuinely significant philosopher . . . someone who is able to change the way we view the structure of the world through the strength, originality and veracity of his ideas alone -- John Gray * GQ *Nassim Nicholas Taleb is the Richard Wagner of uncertainty. While the Ring Cycle of the German composer/librettist portrayed the struggle of the gods in a series of operas, the Incerto series of books by the Lebanese-American author is devoted to humans -- specifically how we deal with the endemic risk in our all-too-finite existence -- Dominic Lawson * Sunday Times *As always with Taleb, this is a fascinating set of ideas. And he's right. People with skin in the game learn how the game works. Without it, they don't -- William Leith * Evening Standard *The author of The Black Swan is back with a simple warning: don't buy what your neighbour is selling unless he owns some too. The obvious application for this is investing, but Taleb has a much broader domain. In a kind of philosophical Freakonomics, he takes us from 5th-century wandering monks (banned by the church because they were too free) to Donald Trump (his imperfections showed he had skin in the game) -- Rosamund Urwin * Sunday Times Books of the Year *

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewAs an explorer Erling Kagge is world class; as a writer he is equally gifted. This breathtaking, inspiring little book teaches us how to find precious moments of silence - whether we are crossing the Antarctic, climbing Everest, or on the train at rush hour -- Sir Ranulph FiennesSilence braces a space within which we can hear ourselves think. Quietly, wisely, it makes a case for dumbing the din of modern life, and learning to listen again. Drawing on the experiences of Kagge's extraordinary life in wild places, this is a book of great concentration -- Robert MacfarlaneErling Kagge is a philosophical adventurer - or perhaps an adventurous philosopher * New York Times *A breathtakingly beautiful, quietly life-changing book by the Norwegian explorer Erling Kagge, that shows us how to find perfect silence in our daily lives - however busy we are * Publisher's description *Silence braces a space within which we can hear ourselves think. Quietly, wisely, it makes a case for dumbing the din of modern life, and learning to listen again. Drawing on the experiences of Kagge's extraordinary life in wild places, this is a book of great concentration -- Robert Macfarlane

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Book Synopsis'Radical, humane, witty' Alain de Botton 'Magisterial' Will Self, Guardian Explore historical, political and philosophical paths traced by walkers in this profound and diverting modern classic. What does it mean to be out walking in the world, whether in a landscape or a metropolis, on a pilgrimage or a protest march? In this first general history of walking, Rebecca Solnit draws together numerous stories to create a new way of looking at one of humanity's most fundamental and expressive acts. Arguing that walking as history means walking for pleasure and for political, aesthetic, and social meaning, Solnit homes in on the walkers whose everyday and extreme acts have shaped our culture, from the philosophers of ancient Greece to the poets of the Romantic Age, from the perambulations of the Surrealists to the ascents of mountaineers. With profiles of some of the most significant walkers in history and fiction - from Wordsworth to Gary Snyder, from Rousseau to Argentina's Mother of the Plaza de Mayo, from Jane Austen's Elizabeth Bennet to Andre Breton's Nadja - Wanderlust takes us on an unforgettable journey and shows how walking can affect the body, the imagination, and the world around us. 'One of those rare, quirky, rather lovable books that makes you look anew at something so familiar ... Solnit winningly traces the shifting cultural significance of putting one foot in front of another' Daily TelegraphTrade ReviewRadical, humane, witty, sometimes wonderfully dandyish, at other times, impassioned and serious -- Alain de Botton[A] magisterial history of walking -- Will Self * Guardian *A history of walking that is about time and space and consciousness of the world as much as about putting one foot in front of the other * The Times *A writer of startling freshness and precision * New York Times Book Review *Solnit walks, but her prose soars. This is a stunningly original account of the simple, subversive activity that keeps us human. Pedestrians of the world, unite! -- Mike Davis, author * City of Quartz *One of those rare, quirky, rather lovable books that makes you look anew at something so familiar ... Solnit winningly traces the shifting cultural significance of putting one foot in front of another * Telegraph *Thoughtful and fascinating -- Stephanie Merritt * Observer *

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book Synopsis'There to fill the Sapiens-size hole in your life' Observer A groundbreaking global overview of philosophy, travelling the world to provide a wide-ranging map of human thought One of the great unexplained wonders of history is that philosophy flowered entirely separately in China, India and Ancient Greece at more or less the same time. These writings would have a profound impact on the development of distinctive cultures in different parts of the world. In How the World Thinks Julian Baggini sets out to expand our horizons, exploring the philosophies of Japan, India, China and the Muslim world, as well as the lesser-known oral traditions of Africa and Australia's first peoples. Interviewing thinkers from around the globe, Baggini asks questions such as: why is the West is more individualistic than the East? What makes secularism a less powerful force in the Islamic world than in Europe? And how has China resisted pressures for greater political freedom? Baggini shows that by gaining greater knowledge of how others think we take the first step to a greater understanding of ourselves. 'Terrific. The intellectual and spiritual generosity of this book makes it an essential text for our fractious and dangerously divided era' Richard Holloway, author of Stories We Tell Ourselves 'This bold fascinating book seeks to inhabit other philosophical traditions, with humility but without patronisingly exempting them from the critique he applies to ours... Deft [and] rigorous' Jane O'Grady, Financial TimesTrade ReviewThis bold fascinating book seeks to inhabit other philosophical traditions, with humility but without patronisingly exempting them from the critique he applies to ours... Deft [and] rigorous -- Jane O'Grady * Financial Times *There to fill the Sapiens-size hole in your life * Observer *Terrific. The intellectual and spiritual generosity of this book makes it an essential text for our fractious and dangerously divided era -- Richard HollowaySuch scope, and such lucid, lightly worn learning. Enlightening, perspective-shifting, mind-expanding - a superb tour through world philosophies with an erudite and friendly guide -- Sarah BakewellTimely and important...this is his best [book] to date... Enthralling... This ingenious and open-hearted book is about the art of living well, something the West's philosophy has often neglected -- Stuart Kelly * Scotland on Sunday *Fascinating and unexpected... a dazzling kaleidoscope... [Baggini] has a true gift for making the difficult accessible in lapidary prose... Worth reading and re-reading -- Marina Vaizey * Arts Desk *What I loved about Julian Baggini's How the World Thinks: A Global History of Philosophy was its spiritual and intellectual generosity, and the author's ability to engage sympathetically with philosophical traditions that do not conform to his own preferred rationalist approach -- Book of the Year selected by Richard Holloway * Tablet *If you've ever wondered why the West tends to reward individual success, why some religions prioritise speech and some silence, or what lessons can be drawn by comparing Vincent Van Gogh and Michael Winner, this is a book for you * History Revealed *One of the great philosophical popularisers of his age... Baggini summarises and explicates with the greatest precision, compression and élan -- Christopher Bray * Tablet *One of the great unexplained wonders of human history is that written philosophy flowered entirely separately in China, India and Ancient Greece at more or less the same time. These early philosophies have had a profound impact on the development of distinctive cultures in different parts of the world. Baggini also looks at the differences between east and west and different religions * Four Shires Magazine *Ground-breaking -- Sarah Dennis * Oxford Times *Eye-opening * Prospect *[For] a broader audience with no philosophical training... Baggini [...] is cheerful and wide-eyed, moving from one big idea to another like a food lover at an opulent buffet * TLS *Highly readable * Times Higher Education *A brilliantly accessible coalescence of thought and belief from around the world...A triumph of comparative philosophy with widespread relevance for the way we live today -- Book of the Month * Waterstones *There is also a need for books that explain non-Western philosophical traditions to the interested non-specialist. Julian Baggini's How The World Thinks is an excellent example of this genre * TLS *

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Book SynopsisAcclaimed as one of the most exciting books in the history of American letters, this modern epic became an instant bestseller upon publication in 1974, transforming a generation and continuing to inspire millions. A narration of a summer motorcycle trip undertaken by a father and his son, the book becomes a personal and philosophical odyssey into fundamental questions of how to live. Resonant with the confusions of existence, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is a touching and transcendent book of life.Trade ReviewProfoundly important...full of insights into our most perplexing contemporary dilemmas * New York Times *Mr Pirsig has written a work of great, perhaps urgent, importance... Read this book * Observer *The book is inspired, original...the narrative tact, the perfect economy of effect defy criticism. The analogies with Moby Dick are patent * New Yorker *Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is an unforgettable trip * Time *Disturbing, deeply moving, full of insights...this is a wonderful book * Times Literary Supplement *

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Book SynopsisDavid Whyte''s Consolations use everyday words to present us with a prism through which to better understand ourselves and the lives we walk through. At the request of readers globally, Whyte returns with fifty-two short, elegant meditations on a single word ranging from ''Anxiety'' to ''Body'', ''Freedom'', ''Shame'' and ''Moon''. He embraces their nuances, amplitudes and depths, and, in doing so, confronts realities that many of us would spend a lifetime trying senselessly to avoid.In Consolations II, anxiety might be more mercifully understood as the preparation for being hurt, fixed beliefs are recognised as the very places where we do not wish to understand, guilt is a friend compassionately waiting for us to catch up and routine becomes a form of ritual and worship. Each piece in this life-affirming book is an invitation to slow down, shift our perspective and find comfort. In these pages, Whyte explores the full constellation of human experience.

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Book Synopsis'The perfect guide for a course correction in life' Deepak ChopraIf we open our eyes and see clearly it becomes obvious that there is no other time than this instant An insightful exploration into the origins and history of Zen Buddhism from pioneering Zen scholar Alan Watts. With a rare combination of freshness and lucidity, Watts explores the principles of Zen and how it can revolutionize our daily life.Trade ReviewThe perfect guide for a course correction in life -- Deepak Chopra

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Book SynopsisExistentialism is backCarpe diem – ‘seize the day’ – is one of the oldest pieces of life advice in Western history. But its true spirit has been hijacked by ad men and self-help gurus, reduced to the instant hit of one-click online shopping, or slogans like ‘live in the now’. We need to reclaim it to make sense of our complex, confusing times.The last great expression of carpe diem was in the electrifying existential philosophy of the 1940s. Today it’s an idea that challenges us to confront our mortality and live with greater passion and intention rather than scroll mindlessly on our phones or allow freedom to become a mere choice between brands. In Carpe Diem Regained,Roman Krznaric reinvents existentialism for our age of information and choice overload. An essential and empowering work of contemporary philosophy, the book unveils the surprising ways of seizing the day that humankind has discovered over the centuries, ones we urgently need to revive.Carpe diem is the Nexistentialism for our times.Trade Review"I’ve started reading Roman Krznaric’s Carpe Diem Regained: The Vanishing Art of Seizing the Day – and it’s brilliant. One of those rare books that forces you to ask what the hell you’re doing with your life." -- George Monbiot * Guardian *"I have always been inspired by carpe diem so I'm delighted to have your book." -- Dame Judi Dench"With more than ever distracting us, it’s an insightful guide to staying foc – er, what did you want?" -- Best Books for Summer * Forbes *"A rather wonderful new book is trying to seize back the noble art of day-seizing." -- Viv Groskop * The Pool *"As always Roman takes a unique look at the world we’ve created. Insightful and thought provoking." -- Tim Lovejoy

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Book SynopsisAs politics slides toward impulsivity, and outrage bests rationality, how can philosophy help us critically engage with the world? How to Think Like A Philosopher is a revelatory exploration of the methods, tenets and attitudes of thought that guide philosophy, and how they can be applied to our own lives. Drawing on decades of enquiry and a huge range of interviews, Julian Baggini identifies twelve key principles that promote incisive thinking. Pay attention; question everything; seek clarity, not certainty: these are just a few of philosophy's guiding maxims which can be applied to everything from understanding the impact of climate change to correctly appraising our own temperaments. Both a fresh introduction to philosophy covering canonical and contemporary philosophers, and an essential, practical guide to good thinking, How to Think Like a Philosopher shows us the way to a more humane, balanced and rational approach to thinking, to politics, and to life.Trade ReviewIn lively and engaging prose, the book distills some of history's most important philosophical ideas... An important book * Herald *A complete treat: a big breath of fresh air and a bracing detox for our beleaguered, battered brains -- Derren Brown[An] excellent and often witty primer on the art, or aspiration, of thinking clearly and logically and ethically * Irish Times *If more philosophers wrote with the power and elegance Julian Baggini achieves in this book, more of us would learn to think like them. Well, now we can! -- Richard HollowayBaggini is an engaging writer and his arguments are ornamented with references to popular culture and current affairs, scraps of intellectual history and a range of relatable personal experiences * TLS *A welcome balm. Julian Baggini writes with clarity and humour. And most importantly, he doesn't get bogged down in theory but offers practical instructions on how to think and question, more constructively -- Ritula ShahA guide to slowing down, living better and thinking * Idler *An urgently needed guide to clear thinking, brought to life by a cast of our finest philosophers and illuminated by his gentle, humane, and accessible writing. Essential reading, both for making sense of a confusing world, and for living your everyday life. I'll be returning to this brilliant book again and again -- Anil SethAnother brilliant, engaging and highly readable account by Julian Baggini aimed at that most difficult of tasks - helping us all to think, and encouraging us to find the right answers by asking the right questions. Simply superb -- Gavin Esler

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Book SynopsisA philosophy still relevant in the modern world, Pigliucci, one of the top philosophers on Twitter and a regular contributor to the New York Times, Newsweek, Washington and Huffington Posts, shows how you can apply stoicism to your everyday life and make it more meaningful. With practical tips and exercises, meditations and mindfulness, this is perfect for fans of Jules Evans' Philosophy of Life - or anyone wanting to imbue their life with new meaning.'Pigliucci makes a good case for Stoicism and living stoically' -- Daily Telegraph'A good case for the enduring relevance of 2,000-year-old precepts' -- TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT'Enjoyed reading this - enough information to be enlightening and clear and simple enough for a novice in the field to access easily' -- ***** Reader review'Enlightening' -- ***** Reader review'Loved this book so much' -- ***** Reader review'Easy to understand with just the right twist of Philosophy' -- ***** Reader review'Very thought provoking' -- ***** Reader review'A great book full of great wisdom' -- ***** Reader review'I am loving this book. Have been reading it non-stop since I got it' -- ***** Reader review**********************************************************************************************'In this thought-provoking book, Massimo Pigliucci shares his journey of discovering the power of Stoic practices in a philosophical dialogue with one of Stoicism's greatest teachers.' RYAN HOLIDAY, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE OBSTACLE IS THE WAY AND THE DAILY STOICWho am I?What am I doing?How ought I to live my life?Stoicism teaches us to acknowledge our emotions, reflect on what causes them and redirect them for our own good. Whenever we worry about how to be happy, we are worrying about how to lead a good life. No goal seems more elusive.Massimo Pigliucci explores this remarkable philosophy and how its wisdom can be applied to our everyday lives in the quest for meaning. He shows how stoicism teaches us the importance of a person's character, integrity and compassion.Whoever we are, we can take something away from stoicism and, in How to be a Stoic, with its practical tips and exercises, meditations and mindfulness, he also explains how relevant it is to every part of our modern lives.Trade ReviewPigliucci makes a good case for Stoicism and living stoically * Daily Telegraph *A good case for the enduring relevance of 2,000-year-old precepts * TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT *In this thought-provoking book, Massimo Pigliucci shares his journey of discovering the power of Stoic practices in a philosophical dialogue with one of Stoicism's greatest teachers. * RYAN HOLIDAY, bestselling author of The Obstacle is the Way and The Daily Stoic *Excellent -- Oliver Burkeman * The Guardian *As its title suggests, How to Be a Stoic is a how-to book, but one of a very high order. Yes, Massimo Pigliucci gives his readers advice on how to live a happy and meaningful life. He is careful, though, to put a secure foundation under that advice by explaining who the ancient Stoics were and how they arrived at the conclusions they did. Do you want to avoid wasting the one life you have to live? Read this book! * WILLIAM B. IRVINE, author of A Guide to the Good Life *How to Be a Stoic proves many things: that the ancient school of Stoicism is superbly relevant to our times; that profound wisdom can be delivered in lively, breezy prose; and that Massimo Pigliucci is uniquely gifted at translating philosophy into terms helpful for alleviating and elevating the lives of many * REBECCA NEWBERGER GOLDSTEIN, author of Plato at the Googleplex *This is a lucid, engaging, and persuasive book about what it means to pursue Stoic ideals in the here and now. Massimo Pigliucci's imaginary conversations with Epictetus carry the reader effortlessly along while grounding the discussion firmly in the ancient Stoic tradition-and in his own life experience. The result is a compelling picture of a Stoic way of life that is consistent with contemporary science and philosophy, and is both eminently ethical and down-to-earth practical. It will be inviting to Stoics and non-Stoics alike who are willing to reason together seriously about how (and why) to be a modern Stoic. * LAWRENCE C. BECKER, author of A New Stoicism *If you want to learn the ways of Stoicism, and you're living in the 21st century, this should be one of the first books you read. Massimo has written a fine primer for the aspiring Marcus Aurelius. * DONALD J. ROBERTSON, author of The Philosophy of CBT and Stoicism and the Art of Happiness *

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Book SynopsisMichael Sandel''s Justice: What''s the Right Thing to Do? invites readers of all ages and political persuasions on a journey of moral reflection, and shows how reasoned debate can illuminate our lives.Is it always wrong to lie?Should there be limits to personal freedom?Can killing sometimes be justified?Is the free market fair?What is the right thing to do?Questions like these are at the heart of our lives. In this acclaimed book Michael Sandel - BBC Reith Lecturer and the Harvard professor whose ''Justice'' course has become world famous - gives us a lively and accessible introduction to the intersection of politics and philosophy. He helps us think our way through such hotly contested issues as equal rights, democracy, euthanasia, abortion and same-sex marriage, as well as the ethical dilemmas we face every day.''One of the most popular teachers in the world'' - Observer''Enormously refreshing ... Michael Sandel Trade ReviewOne of the world's most interesting political philosophers * Guardian *Justice is a lucid and compelling analysis of our current moral dilemmas, which argues for a new commitment to citizenship and the common good * Shirley Williams *In the beautifully concise explanations of American philosopher Michael Sandel, I see great insight into our current predicaments. If any political reckoning is on its way . . . then perhaps it might come from the philosophy department of Harvard * Madeleine Bunting *Michael Sandel, perhaps the most prominent college professor in America,...practices the best kind of academic populism, managing to simplify John Stuart Mill and John Rawls without being simplistic. But Sandel is best at what he calls bringing 'moral clarity to the alternatives we confront as democratic citizens'.... He ends up clarifying a basic political divide - not between left and right, but between those who recognize nothing greater than individual rights and choices, and those who affirm a 'politics of the common good,' rooted in moral beliefs that can't be ignored -- Michael Gerson * Washington Post *Michael Sandel transforms moral philosophy by putting it at the heart of civic debate....Sandel's insistence on the inescapably ethical character of political debate is enormously refreshing -- Edward Skidelsky * New Statesman *A spellbinding philosopher.... For Michael Sandel, justice is not a spectator sport.... He is calling for nothing less than a reinvigoration of citizenship -- Samuel Moyn * The Nation *An ambitious and an appealing idea. Intriguingly, I find myself persuaded that it might well be worth a try * Lisa Jardine, The Times *More than exhilarating; exciting in its ability to persuade this student/reader, time and again, that the principle now being invoked-on this page, in this chapter-is the one to deliver the sufficiently inclusive guide to the making of a decent life -- Vivien Gornick * Boston Review *Sandel explains theories of justice...with clarity and immediacy; the ideas of Aristotle, Jeremy Bentham, Immanuel Kant, John Stuart Mill, Robert Nozick and John Rawls have rarely, if ever, been set out as accessibly... In terms we can all understand, Justice confronts us with the concepts that lurk, so often unacknowledged, beneath our conflicts -- Jonathan Rauch * New York Times *This book is absolutely indispensable for anyone who wants to be a good citizen. It shows how to balance competing values, a talent our nation desperately needs nowadays -- Walter Isaacson, author of 'Benjamin Franklin: An American Life'Sandel dazzles in this sweeping survey of hot topics.... Erudite, conversational and deeply humane, this is truly transformative reading * Publishers Weekly, starred review *Hard cases may make bad laws, but in Michael Sandel's hands they produce some cool philosophy.... Justice is a timely plea for us to desist from political bickering and see if we can have a sensible discussion about what sort of society we really want to live in -- Jonathan Ree * The Observer *A road map for negotiating modern moral dilemmas... For those seeking a short course through moral philosophy from a witty writer, fast on his feet, and nimble with his pen, this thin volume is difficult to beat -- Kevin J. Hamilton * Seattle Times *There have been various attempts over the decades to bury moral philosophy -- to dismiss convictions about right and wrong as cultural prejudices, or secretions of the brain, or matters so personal they shouldn't even affect our private lives. But moral questions always return, as puzzles and as tragedies. Would we push a hefty man onto a railroad track to save the lives of five others? Should Petty Officer 1st Class Marcus Luttrell, in June of 2005, have executed a group of Afghan goatherds who, having stumbled on his position, might inform the enemy about his unit? (Luttrell let them go, the Taliban attacked, and three of his comrades died.) These examples and others -- price-gouging after Hurricane Katrina, affirmative action, gay marriage -- are all grist for the teaching of Michael Sandel, perhaps the most prominent college professor in America. His popular class at Harvard -- Moral Reasoning 22: Justice -- attracts about a sixth of all undergraduates. For those lacking $49,000 a year in tuition and board, he has written Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do? which has been further translated into a PBS series and a Web site, JusticeHarvard.org -- Michael Gerson * Wall Street Journal *

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Book SynopsisThe revolutionary new offering from Jordan B. Peterson, renowned psychologist and author of the global bestseller 12 Rules for Life In We Who Wrestle with God, Jordan Peterson guides us through the ancient, foundational stories of the Western world, analyzing the Biblical accounts of rebellion, sacrifice, suffering and triumph that stabilize, inspire and unite us, culturally and psychologically. Adam and Eve and the eternal fall of mankind; the resentful and ultimately murderous war of Cain and Abel; the cataclysmic flood of Noah, the spectacular collapse of the Tower of Babel; Abraham's terrible adventure, and the epic of Moses and the Israelites: What could such stories possibly mean? What force wrote and assembled them, over the long centuries? How did they bring our spirits and the world together, and point us in the same direction? It is time for us to understand such things, scientifically and spiritually; to become conscious of the structure of our souls and our societies to see ourselves and others as if for the first time. Join Elijah as he discovers the Voice of God in the dictates of his own conscience, and Jonah, confronting hell itself, in the belly of the whale, because he failed to listen and act. Set yourself straight in intent, aim and purpose, as you begin to more deeply understand the structure of your society and your soul. Journey with Jordan Peterson through the greatest stories ever told. Dare to wrestle with God.

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Book SynopsisThe companion book to the BAFTA and Oscar winning animated short film.A journey, in search of home...This beautifully made hardback celebrates the work of over 100 animators across two years of production - with Charlie's distinctive illustrations brought to life in full colour with hand-drawn traditional animation and accompanying hand-written script."I made a film with some friends about a boy, a mole, a fox and a horse - their journey together and the boy's search for home. I hope this book gives you courage and makes you feel loved." Love Charlie x

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Book SynopsisThe #1 bestselling inspirational classic from the internationally known spiritual leader; a source of solace and hope for over 4 million readers.Since its original publication in 1981, When Bad Things Happen to Good People has brought solace and hope to millions. In the preface to this edition, Rabbi Kushner relates the heartwarming responses he has received over the years from people who have found inspiration and comfort within these pages.When Harold Kushner’s three-year-old son was diagnosed with a degenerative disease that meant the boy would only live until his early teens, he was faced with one of life’s most difficult questions: Why, God? Years later, Rabbi Kushner wrote this straightforward, elegant contemplation of the doubts and fears that arise when tragedy strikes. In these pages, Kushner shares his wisdom as a rabbi, a parent, a reader, and a human being. Often imitated but never superseded, When Bad Things Happen to Good People is a classic that offers clear thinking and consolation in times of sorrow.Trade ReviewWhen Bad Things Happen to Good People offers a moving and humane approach to understanding life’s windstorms. * Elisabeth Kübler-Ross *Whether religious or not, this book will speak because it touches–profoundly, but simply–on questions no parent and no person can avoid. * Harvey Cox, Harvard Divinity School *A touching, heartwarming book for those of us who must contend with suffering, and that, of course, is all of us. * Andrew M. Greeley *This is a book all humanity needs. It will help you understand the painful vicissitudes of this life and enable you to stand up to them creatively. * Norman Vincent Peale *

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Book SynopsisA ground-breaking exploration of a dog's experience of the world and how they can help us understand ourselves better, from the author of The Philosopher and the Wolf.

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Book SynopsisWhat is reality, really?Are humans more special or important than the non-human objects we perceive?How does this change the way we understand the world?We humans tend to believe that things are only real in as much as we perceive them, an idea reinforced by modern philosophy, which privileges us as special, radically different in kind from all other objects. But as Graham Harman, one of the theory''s leading exponents, shows, Object-Oriented Ontology rejects the idea of human specialness: the world, he states, is clearly not the world as manifest to humans. At the heart of this philosophy is the idea that objects - whether real, fictional, natural, artificial, human or non-human - are mutually autonomous. In this brilliant new introduction, Graham Harman lays out the history, ideas and impact of Object-Oriented Ontology, taking in everything from art and literature, politics and natural science along the way.Graham Harman is Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at SCI-Arc, Los Angeles. A key figure in the contemporary speculative realism movement in philosophy and for his development of the field of object-oriented ontology, he was named by Art Review magazine as one of the 100 most influential figures in international art.

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Book SynopsisDEBUTED AT NO.1 ON THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER LISTNO.1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE SOCIAL ANIMALAre you on your first or second mountain? Is life about you - or others? About success - or something deeper? The world tells us that we should pursue our self-interest: career wins, high status, nice things. These are the goals of our first mountain. But at some point in our lives we might find that we''re not interested in what other people tell us to want. We want the things that are truly worth wanting.This is the second mountain. What does it mean to look beyond yourself and find a moral cause? To forget about independence and discover dependence - to be utterly enmeshed in a web of warm relationships? What does it mean to value intimacy, devotion, responsibility and commitment above individual freedom? In The Second Mountain David Brooks explores the meaning and possibilities that scaling a second mountain offer us and the four commitments that most commonly move us there: family, vocation, philosophy and community. Inspiring, personal and full of joy, this book will help you discover why you were really put on this earth.

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Book SynopsisTHE BIG PANDA AND TINY DRAGON AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR JAMES NORBURY TELLS THE STORY OF THE CAT WHO LEARNED HOW TO BE MORE ZEN . . .I''ve learnt that what we want is seldom what we need, and what we need is almost never what we wantThis is the tale of a cat wise in the ways of zen, journeying to discover a fabled ancient pine, under which infinite wisdom may be found.Along the way he meets a vivid cast of animals: from an anxious monkey and a tortoise tired of life, to a tiger struggling with anger, a confused wolf cub and a covetous crow.But it''s a surprise encounter with a playful kitten, that forces the cat to question everything . . .Told in a gentle, calming style, The Cat Who Taught Zen introduces a new cast of characters for readers of all ages to fall in love with, offering timeless wisdom wrapped up into a tale of beguiling beauty.__________Big Panda and Tiny Dragon, Sunday Times bestseller, July 2022

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Book SynopsisRoman Krznaric is a social philosopher who writes about the power of ideas to create change. His internationally bestselling books, including The Good Ancestor, Empathy, and Carpe Diem Regained, have been published in more than twenty-five languages. He is Senior Research Fellow at Oxford University's Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing and founder of the world's first Empathy Museum. After growing up in Sydney and Hong Kong, Roman studied at the universities of Oxford, London and Essex, where he gained his PhD in political science. His writings have been widely influential amongst political and ecological campaigners, education reformers, social entrepreneurs and designers. An acclaimed public speaker, his talks and workshops have taken him from a London prison to the TED global stage.Roman is a member of the Club of Rome and a Research Fellow of the Long Now Foundation. He previously worked as an academic, a gardener and a humanTrade ReviewThis is the book our children's children will thank us for reading * The Edge, U2 *Roman Krznaric's brilliant book The Good Ancestor champions the long-term thinking that could lead us out of our multiple disasters. * George Monbiot *Beautiful to read, heartfelt and persuasive The Good Ancestor is one of those landmark books with the power to shift a mindset. One turns the pages feeling a growing compulsion for change. Krznaric’s clarion call for long-term thinking makes him an ancestor all future generations can be proud of * Isabella Tree, author of Wilding *A philosopher's contribution to saving the world * Andrew Anthony, Observer *Packed with commonsense advice on how to develop an uncommon habit * Irish Times *

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