In his engaging book, Jules Evans explains how ancient philosophy saved his life, and how we can all use it to become happier, wiser and more resilient. Jules imagines a dream school, which includes 12 of the greatest and most colourful thinkers the world has ever known. Each of these ancient philosophers teaches a technique we can use to transform our selves and live better lives. These practical techniques are illustrated by the extraordinary stories of real people who are using them today - from marines to magicians, from astronauts to anarchists and from CBT psychologists to soldiers. Jules also explores how ancient philosophy is inspiring modern communities - Socratic cafes, Stoic armies, Platonic sects, Sceptic summer camps - and even whole nations in their quest for the good life.
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"Instructive and thought-provoking...shows philosophy is not just for stuffy classrooms" (Financial Times )
"This wonderful book shows how modern psychology is consistent with the best that was thought and known in the Ancient World...also beautifully written" (Lord Richard Layard, Author, Happiness: Lessons From A New Science )
"A revelation" (Alexander Linklater Observer )
"Witty and accessible.Highly recommended." (The Psychologist magazine )
"A brilliant and timely book." (Tom Hodgkinson, Author Of How To Be Free )
"This wonderful book shows how modern psychology is consistent with the best that was thought and known in the Ancient World...also beautifully written" (Lord Richard Layard, Author, Happiness: Lessons From A New Science )
"A revelation" (Alexander Linklater Observer )
"Witty and accessible.Highly recommended." (The Psychologist magazine )
"A brilliant and timely book." (Tom Hodgkinson, Author Of How To Be Free )
Book Description
A dynamic guide to philosophy for everyday life - using key ideas to live well and happily
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
35 of 35 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent book on philosophy as an everyday tool - an invitation to a real "dream academy"
10 May 2012
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book sets out to teach you things you certainly aren't likely to have been taught at school, or at university for that matter. It draws on the ideas of a dozen thinkers: Socrates, Epictetus, Musonius Rufus, Seneca, Epicurus, Heraclitus, Pythagoras, the Sceptics (treated as if one person - the original one was Pyrrho), Diogenes, Plato, Plutarch and Aristotle.
Evans says the aim is to convey "what it would be like to get a day-pass to the School of Athens". Rather than merely being dry and academic, this book constantly shows an awareness of how philosophy can be brought to bear on everyday situations. Evans has interviewed all manner of people (astronauts, soldiers, the politician Rory Stewart) and profiled plenty of others - such as a Chicago firefighter who gives classes in Stoic resilience - to see where philosophy fits (or can fit) into their lives.
The book is appealingly structured like a day's lessons or tutorials. The writing is fresh and thoughtful, pretty accessible, largely unpretentious and of a genuinely practical kind. This reminds me of Alain de Botton's Consolations of Philosophy, except that it has a much keener sense of philosophy's place and utility in the real world.
As a primer in Greek philosophy, the book works well, but is a good deal more than that - a wise, honest, original and helpful guide, which provides ample food for thought and has inspired me to do further reading (about which Evans provides a handy guide at the end of the book).
Highly recommended.
Evans says the aim is to convey "what it would be like to get a day-pass to the School of Athens". Rather than merely being dry and academic, this book constantly shows an awareness of how philosophy can be brought to bear on everyday situations. Evans has interviewed all manner of people (astronauts, soldiers, the politician Rory Stewart) and profiled plenty of others - such as a Chicago firefighter who gives classes in Stoic resilience - to see where philosophy fits (or can fit) into their lives.
The book is appealingly structured like a day's lessons or tutorials. The writing is fresh and thoughtful, pretty accessible, largely unpretentious and of a genuinely practical kind. This reminds me of Alain de Botton's Consolations of Philosophy, except that it has a much keener sense of philosophy's place and utility in the real world.
As a primer in Greek philosophy, the book works well, but is a good deal more than that - a wise, honest, original and helpful guide, which provides ample food for thought and has inspired me to do further reading (about which Evans provides a handy guide at the end of the book).
Highly recommended.
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By Joe Drury
Format:Paperback
This is a wise, humane and often inspirational book. Though it tackles big and difficult questions - why are we here? how can we be happy? - it does so in such a clear and engaging way that it's always enjoyable and often gripping reading. Evans's subject is ancient Greek philosophy, but what he seeks in this philosophy isn't abstract truth but a practical, useful "medicine for the soul" that can help people exert more control over their emotions, feel better about themselves and lead happier and more flourishing lives. He shows that the central tenets of Greek moral philosophy - that we can know ourselves, change ourselves and establish better, healthier habits of thinking and acting - now form the basis of modern Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and in a series of compelling interviews threaded through the book he talks to people around the world of very different backgrounds whose lives were changed by an encounter with a particular philosopher or set of ideas. The book is organized as a series of lessons on the major Greek philosophers, and I think most readers will find Evans a congenial and stimulating instructor. I learned a great deal from it - it made me think hard about the way I live my life and what I could do to make myself a happier, saner person. Highly recommended!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I agree with Neil's comment above "about as good a manual for life as you're likely to get."
Karen Armstrong has said that humans use two methods to explain their world: Mythos and Logos. Logos is about empirically observing our world through scientific exploration, and Mythos is more about tapping into our intuition by sharing stories, art and poetry.
In the last century, we have shifted almost exclusively to Logos as the means of understanding our world, relegating the arts of Mythos to mere entertainment. "Philosophy is dead," said Stephen Hawking, "Scientists have become the bearers of the torch of discovery." But according to Armstrong, both mythos and logos are essential . . . "each would be impoverished without the other."
What Evans does well in his book is to weave the two together on multiple levels. He combines the teachings of ancient philosophers, with stories of modern groups and individuals who are applying this philosophy to their lives with meaningful results. And then he ties it in to modern science on wellbeing, finally relating it to his own personal experience.
I recommend his book, and when you read it I think you will agree that reports of the death of philosophy have been greatly exaggerated.
Karen Armstrong has said that humans use two methods to explain their world: Mythos and Logos. Logos is about empirically observing our world through scientific exploration, and Mythos is more about tapping into our intuition by sharing stories, art and poetry.
In the last century, we have shifted almost exclusively to Logos as the means of understanding our world, relegating the arts of Mythos to mere entertainment. "Philosophy is dead," said Stephen Hawking, "Scientists have become the bearers of the torch of discovery." But according to Armstrong, both mythos and logos are essential . . . "each would be impoverished without the other."
What Evans does well in his book is to weave the two together on multiple levels. He combines the teachings of ancient philosophers, with stories of modern groups and individuals who are applying this philosophy to their lives with meaningful results. And then he ties it in to modern science on wellbeing, finally relating it to his own personal experience.
I recommend his book, and when you read it I think you will agree that reports of the death of philosophy have been greatly exaggerated.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Strangely uninspirational
For all the reviews and blurbs telling you what an inspirational, life altering book this is, I must add a note of dissent: it actually makes it quite apparent that none of the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Petrolhead
5.0 out of 5 stars
You won't regret buying this...
Interesting, erudite and thought-provoking. The only hesitation I have in recommending it are the frequent anecdotes from American servicemen and women. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Molehill
1.0 out of 5 stars
Probably the worst Philosophy book written
The author completely misses the point of Philosophy (I don't know if this is deliberate or not), trying to convince us that it's really some sort of ancient self-help system that... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Jon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Now that's how to write a book
Well well well ..
I have been meaning to read a book on philosophy for most of my life. Not too long ago I picked up one by some guy called Nietzsche entitled 'Beyond... Read more
I have been meaning to read a book on philosophy for most of my life. Not too long ago I picked up one by some guy called Nietzsche entitled 'Beyond... Read more
Published 3 months ago by wittyfox
5.0 out of 5 stars
Educational and Inspirational
A handbook on Greek / Roman philosophy to which I will certainly return. Readable, accessible and well illustrated with contemporary examples. Read more
Published 4 months ago by EruditeBaz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Special book for Life
Excellent book, the sort of treasure you keep handy for life. A brilliant present for anyone in your life who questions what it's all about sometimes. Read more
Published 5 months ago by G. B. Garratt
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very helpful book
I thought I had nothing to gain from philosophy and would not have looked near this book had I not heard an interview with Jules on little atoms podcast. Read more
Published 5 months ago by John
5.0 out of 5 stars
Recommended
Bought this on the recommendation of someone whose judgement I trust. I have got it as a present to give for Christmas so can not comment as not actually read it
Published 5 months ago by Lin
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Roadmap for life
I came to this book after reading 'A guide to the good life' by William Irvine. I've always been interested in Eastern Philosophy but have never read anything about Greek / Roman... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Derrick Singleton
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book has become a useful guide
Why was philosophy never explained this way at school? I found Jules Evans's book extremely easy to read and it made it easy to grasp complex ideas and thoughts. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Helena
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