Items related to The Consolations of Philosophy
From the internationally heralded author of How Proust Can Change Your Life comes this remarkable new book that presents the wisdom of some of the greatest thinkers of the ages as advice for our day to day struggles.
Solace for the broken heart can be found in the words of Schopenhauer. The ancient Greek Epicurus has the wisest, and most affordable, solution to cash flow problems. A remedy for impotence lies in Montaigne. Seneca offers advice upon losing a job. And Nietzsche has shrewd counsel for everything from loneliness to illness. The Consolations of Philosophy is a book as accessibly erudite as it is useful and entertaining.
Solace for the broken heart can be found in the words of Schopenhauer. The ancient Greek Epicurus has the wisest, and most affordable, solution to cash flow problems. A remedy for impotence lies in Montaigne. Seneca offers advice upon losing a job. And Nietzsche has shrewd counsel for everything from loneliness to illness. The Consolations of Philosophy is a book as accessibly erudite as it is useful and entertaining.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review:
"It is common," Alain de Botton writes in The Consolations of Philosophy, "to assume that we are dealing with a highly intelligent book when we cease to understand it. Profound ideas cannot, after all, be explained in the language of children." While his easygoing exploration of philosophers from Socrates to Nietzsche isn't exactly written for the Blue's Clues set, few readers will cease to understand it. Furthermore, it's a joy to read. De Botton's 1997 How Proust Can Change Your Life forged a new kind of lit crit: an exploration of Remembrance of Things Past, delivered in the sweet-gummed envelope of an advice book. He returns to the self-help format here, this time plundering the great thinkers to puzzle out the way we ought to live.
From the Publisher:
What was stunning about the Proust book was de Botton's brazen annexing of a hallowed novelist to address lite emotional problems. That format is less arresting when applied to the philosophers, since which earnest philosophy major has not, from time to time, tried to apply the alpine heights of thought to his own humble worries? Usually, sophomoric attempts to turn to, say, Kant for advice on love tend to be unmitigated disasters. In de Botton's case, however, he is able to find consolation for a broken heart in Schopenhauer, consolation for inadequacy in Montaigne. Epicurus, usually associated with a love of luxury, is a solace for those of us without much money--and de Botton learns from him that "objects mimic in a material dimension what we require in a psychological one. We need to rearrange our minds but are lured towards new shelves. We buy a cashmere cardigan as a substitute for the counsel of friends."
Lest the reader become burdened by all this philosophizing, the book is peppered with illustrations--the section on Nietzsche of course includes a DC Comics drawing of Superman. And it's further leavened by the author's personal anecdotes and winning confessional tone. Early on, for instance, he admits his own gnawing need for popularity: "A desire to please led me to laugh at modest jokes like a parent on the opening night of a school play." Before he became a medicine man for the soul, de Botton was a first-rate novelist, and it shows in his writing. --Claire Dederer
"An enjoyable read... In clear, witty prose, de Botton...sets some of [the philosophers'] ideas to the mundane task of helping readers with their personal problems.... The quietly ironic style and eclectic approach will gratify many postmodern readers."
-- Publishers Weekly
-- Publishers Weekly
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherVintage
- Publication date2001
- ISBN 10 0679779175
- ISBN 13 9780679779179
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages272
- Rating
Buy New
Learn more about this copy
US$ 14.67
Shipping:
FREE
Within U.S.A.
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace
Seller Image
The Consolations of Philosophy by De Botton, Alain [Paperback ]
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Soft Cover. Condition: new. Seller Inventory # 9780679779179
Buy New
US$ 14.67
Convert currency
Seller Image
Consolations of Philosophy
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 412093-n
Buy New
US$ 13.22
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Consolations of Philosophy Format: Paperback
Published by
Penguin Random House
(2001)
ISBN 10: 0679779175
ISBN 13: 9780679779179
New
Softcover
Quantity: > 20
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. Brand New. Seller Inventory # 9780679779179
Buy New
US$ 11.97
Convert currency
Seller Image
The Consolations of Philosophy (Paperback)
Published by
Random House USA Inc, New York
(2001)
ISBN 10: 0679779175
ISBN 13: 9780679779179
New
Paperback
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. From the internationally heralded author of How Proust Can Change Your Life comes a remarkable book that presents the wisdom of some of the greatest thinkers of the ages as advice for our day to day struggles."A fine introduction the world of philosophy." Newsweek Solace for the broken heart can be found in the words of Schopenhauer. The ancient Greek Epicurus has the wisest, and most affordable, solution to cash flow problems. A remedy for impotence lies in Montaigne. Seneca offers advice upon losing a job. And Nietzsche has shrewd counsel for everything from loneliness to illness. The Consolations of Philosophy is a book as accessibly erudite as it is useful and entertaining. Wisdom from some of the greatest thinkers in history is shared in this book that provides advice on day-to-day struggles, such as a broken heart or cash flow problems. Illustrations. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780679779179
Buy New
US$ 18.70
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Consolations of Philosophy
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. . Seller Inventory # 52GZZZ00DNIR_ns
Buy New
US$ 18.94
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Consolations of Philosophy
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Softcover. Condition: New. Reprint. From the internationally heralded author of How Proust Can Change Your Life comes a remarkable book that presents the wisdom of some of the greatest thinkers of the ages as advice for our day to day struggles."A fine introduction the world of philosophy." -NewsweekSolace for the broken heart can be found in the words of Schopenhauer. The ancient Greek Epicurus has the wisest, and most affordable, solution to cash flow problems. A remedy for impotence lies in Montaigne. Seneca offers advice upon losing a job. And Nietzsche has shrewd counsel for everything from loneliness to illness. The Consolations of Philosophy is a book as accessibly erudite as it is useful and entertaining. Seller Inventory # DADAX0679779175
Buy New
US$ 20.27
Convert currency
Stock Image
Consolations of Philosophy, The Vintage Vintage International
Published by
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
(2001)
ISBN 10: 0679779175
ISBN 13: 9780679779179
New
PAP
Quantity: 2
Seller:
Rating
Book Description PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # WB-9780679779179
Buy New
US$ 20.84
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Consolations of Philosophy
Published by
Random House
(2001)
ISBN 10: 0679779175
ISBN 13: 9780679779179
New
Softcover
Quantity: 3
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 26826740
Buy New
US$ 17.86
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Consolations of Philosophy
Published by
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group 2001-04-03, New York
(2001)
ISBN 10: 0679779175
ISBN 13: 9780679779179
New
paperback
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description paperback. Condition: New. Language: ENG. Seller Inventory # 9780679779179
Buy New
US$ 18.25
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Consolations of Philosophy
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Brand New Copy. Seller Inventory # BBB_new0679779175
Buy New
US$ 21.71
Convert currency