As a "philosophy of life", Stoicism has a lot to recommend it. Everyone could use a little more tranquillity in their life. I found this book fairly repetitive, but it was ultimately a good, systematic introduction to the Stoics whose philosophies are a kind of mental judo against negative emotions. Well worth consideration by anyone that might struggle with self-worth or fulfilment. ( )

Sort of preachy at times, but an enlightening read. ( )

A very accessible introduction to Stoicism. The author is clearly enthused but to his credit he also allows that others may find another approach to a personal 'philosophy of life' a better fit for themselves.

I find the stoic exhortation to be careful about goals and to accept for one self the goal of doing one's best rather than a particular achievement in the world to fit quite well with Carol Dweck's psychology of the 'growth mindset'.

It's Irvine's exploration of hedonic adaptation and the value of negative visualization that I find most compelling. This by itself is reason enough to explore this philosophy.

In today's world, some of the questions Irvine raises- What is the most helpful approach to grieving, assistance with emotional expression or unassisted bearing? - should be amenable to experimental trial. There is certainly anough grief in the world and you can make the case that we should become as skilled as possible in managing it.

Recommended. ( )

Gives a good presentation of Stoicism, but otherwise fails to be particularly engaging. Also, the author seems to be unable to get out of his myopic (and apparently very cut-throat and mean) academic world and so dwells a lot on how to be a closet Stoic to avoid being mocked for it. Finally, he takes pains to point out how one's Stoic demeanor will surely piss off those who are being insulting. I'm at best semi-stoic, and that mostly by happenstance, but I'm sort of thinking this can't be a very stoic attitude. Anyhow, if there's a Complete Idiot's Guide to Stoicism or a Stoicism For Dummies, either is surely a better option for getting turned on to Stoicism than this dry set of pages. ( )

If you had gone to Epictetus and said, “I want to live a good life. What should I do?” he would have had an answer for you: “Live in accordance with nature.”

Ever since I heard William B. Irvine on the "Waking Up" app (as it turns out reciting some paragraphs from the book in question), I've grown to wonder about the "Stoic tools" he mentioned. To me, they sounded not so much "not Stoic" but more so slightly redundant to the point of there being barely any use in sticking "Stoicism" label to them to make them shimmer fancy. After all, it's nothing new to hear "things could've been worse" or "all is in your hands" - if we are to thank Stoicism for those clichés, be so.

However, there is something about the fact that regardless of how well-conditioned we are to say such things, they don't quite click. After all, we are more used to repeating them than living by them.

Unlike small talks, which handed me each tool at a time, this book provided a kit to put those tools into and a framework. Each tool - be it negative visualisation, trichotomy of control, self-deprecating humour - found its screws and nails in rich-enough context, with repetition legitamasing. Quotes by Stoics such as Seneca and Epectitus, as well as a neat guide through the history of Stoicism, were a much welcome addition to an overall strategic (self-helpy) structure of the book.

This book is not extremely persuasive - and that's exactly what turns it into a pleasant read.

What, if not impressive, then at the very least commendable is that the author, though sharing his personal journey with Stoicism and the kind of effect it had on his overall well-being (which was, thankfully, only sprinkled in the book itself and was served as a desert by the end of it), underlined "the benefit of the doubt". You don't think that Stoicism suits you? Well, you might be right. There is no "the only way", with many other apart from Stoicism to explore in pursuit of one goal - a philosophy of life.
Even the author himself questions whether he won't look back a couple of years after at his "Stoic phase" in dismay.

The author does a great job presenting a somewhat neo, modern-age Stoicism, with evolution instead of Zeus and no suggestions to go outside barefoot or live in barrels.

Coming from personal experience, I assume this book might be helpful for those working consciously through their anxiety-related issues (especially when it comes to formulating narratives) and those willing to challenge their pessimistic inclinations - this book calibrates pessimism to be more realistic, with positive things not being swept under the rug as well. Though it primarily focuses on moderation and appreciation of what one already has, it provides a basis to seek happiness in it - happiness which may remain undiscovered until consciously awakened and assessed. ( )