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Stoicism and the Art of Happiness (Teach Yourself)
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This new guide to finding a happier way of life draws on the ancient wisdom of the stoics to reveal lasting truths and proven strategies for enhanced wellbeing. By learning what stoicism is, you can revolutionise your life, learning how to - properly - 'seize the day', how to cope in the face of adversity, and how to come to terms with whatever situation you're in.
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Paperback, 256 pages
Published
August 30th 2013
by Hodder Education
(first published January 1st 2013)
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Much like William Irvine's book, this book, too, is more of a self-help book than a book on the actual philosophy. Some aspects of Stoicism are covered in synopsis form, but a lot of it is simplified and, even so, a lot of the original Stoic principles leave me a bit baffled. Why is rationality to be so prized? Why are virtue and this exalted sense of "happiness" living in accordance to nature so valuable? Why should anyone take a straw-man concept like the Stoic Sage seriously? These are just a
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Excellent Introduction to Stoicism
I found myself highlighting something almost every page. It took me a few years to read. There is much to contemplate and practice, but even as a beginner it has brought increased peace to my life.
"But all excellent things are as difficult as they are rare." (Spinoza, Ethica, 5.42n) ...more
I found myself highlighting something almost every page. It took me a few years to read. There is much to contemplate and practice, but even as a beginner it has brought increased peace to my life.
"But all excellent things are as difficult as they are rare." (Spinoza, Ethica, 5.42n) ...more

I have read the three classic Stoic philosophers (Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus and Seneca) before this book, but I had not really grasped all the Stoic theories and thoughts. This book really got the Stoic message through. It had a lot of quotations from ancient philosophers aswell as modern uses of the philosophy in life and in therapy. It had stuff I really will consider and use in my everyday life.
Although I really enjoyed the book it was kind of repetitive at times, which made for a slow readi ...more
Although I really enjoyed the book it was kind of repetitive at times, which made for a slow readi ...more

The content seemed very repetitive; that was my primary reaction to this book. I also disagree with much of the advice the book provides. The author makes frequent references to psychology's Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as if that should lend some credibility to this work, but it is my understanding from a couple of therapists that CBT is not for everyone and can be easily misapplied even by therapists who (theoretically) know what they're doing. Hence, CBT is not something to DIY.
The author ad ...more
The author ad ...more

Donald Robertson has published an excellent overview of Stoic ethics and interpreted it for the modern reader without losing much authenticity in the process. He not only quotes Seneca, Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, etc. but new popularisers such as William Irvine, and also describes how the Stoic philosophy relates to CBT. Any myths about stoicism like not being emotional were carefully argued against, and Robertson was moderated in his rhetoric instead of making you feel inadequate like a lot of
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Kind of redundant; I think the book could have been trimmed down to a 1/4 of its current size. The author says things like "The Stoics believed..." but doesn't necessarily give a logical argument for those beliefs.
Overall a good read besides those two things. ...more
Overall a good read besides those two things. ...more

Great breakdown:
My only complaint is that the book continually pushed CBT and got more into the modern psychological implications of stoicism than how to actually live the stoic ideal. However, that was only a minor nuisance compared to the overall text and the quality job it did in outlining stoic philosophy. I did find the self examination sections at the beginning of each chapter to be excellent lead ins for the reading. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has experience with sto ...more
My only complaint is that the book continually pushed CBT and got more into the modern psychological implications of stoicism than how to actually live the stoic ideal. However, that was only a minor nuisance compared to the overall text and the quality job it did in outlining stoic philosophy. I did find the self examination sections at the beginning of each chapter to be excellent lead ins for the reading. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has experience with sto ...more

Wanted to give it a 5 but didn’t get the e book and felt a little cheated about Stoic contemplations on death. Still would give this like a 4.5 due to thoroughness and ease of reading. Also gave me a lot more philosophers to read.
I like the connections made between Buddhism and CBT and thing that this is very relevant to today.
Edited-
Updated review to reflect having read the chapter on death. Super useful.
I like the connections made between Buddhism and CBT and thing that this is very relevant to today.
Edited-
Updated review to reflect having read the chapter on death. Super useful.

Lessons from the 1st Stoa
Modern Stoicism is largely based on the wonderful thinking of Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Seneca through their “main 3 books” of Meditations, Discourses, and Letters, respectively. This is because these books are only a handful of surviving bodies of Stoic writings left that are almost fully intact (with only 4 books out of 8 of Discourses survived).
But these 3 wise philosophers were all part of the so-called 3rd Stoa, the 3rd generation of “Late Stoa” in Rome. So wh ...more
Modern Stoicism is largely based on the wonderful thinking of Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Seneca through their “main 3 books” of Meditations, Discourses, and Letters, respectively. This is because these books are only a handful of surviving bodies of Stoic writings left that are almost fully intact (with only 4 books out of 8 of Discourses survived).
But these 3 wise philosophers were all part of the so-called 3rd Stoa, the 3rd generation of “Late Stoa” in Rome. So wh ...more

Actually a 4.5 stars. The beginning slow and basic... but needs for those who doesn’t know anything about stoicism. I put it away because of this for a couple of months. But as a wise said “books come to your life when you exactly need them”, I took it again and loved it. Practical advise on how to detach yourself from the small rumiations of life (that sometimes you are the creator of those with your mind) and see everything under a bigger perspective. Also, wise practices on how to “surf” the
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This was a phenomenal book that can help the reader understand the basis of modern cognitive behavioral therapy. This book serves as an excellent introduction to stoicism and it contrasts this philosophy with primarily Cynicism and Epicureanism. Stoicism as a philosophy seems to adopt an attitude of indifferent humility to most things that are deemed to be valuable in life. It is this attitude that allows Stoics to view tragedy as a temporary moment, allowing one to face it with mental resolutio
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This book serves as a very good introduction to the concept of Stoic philosophy. While it definitely falls into the category of self-help, it is much more than a feel-good book— as it provides strategies with coping and resilience that can help you become a stronger and better person.
Some readers may think parts are too repetitive. As a philosophy novice, however, I appreciated the bits of repetition and the simple breakdowns within the chapters.
Some readers may think parts are too repetitive. As a philosophy novice, however, I appreciated the bits of repetition and the simple breakdowns within the chapters.

"Reputation after life is nothing more than oblivion."
This sentence was an answer to so many questions I have been asking myself.
Excellent book overall. It gives you good insights into the ancient philosophy of Stoicism.
Why, then, do you wonder that good men are shaken in order that they may
grow strong? No tree becomes rooted and sturdy unless many a wind assails
it. For by its very tossing it tightens its grip and plants its roots more
securely; the fragile trees are those that have grown in a s ...more
This sentence was an answer to so many questions I have been asking myself.
Excellent book overall. It gives you good insights into the ancient philosophy of Stoicism.
Why, then, do you wonder that good men are shaken in order that they may
grow strong? No tree becomes rooted and sturdy unless many a wind assails
it. For by its very tossing it tightens its grip and plants its roots more
securely; the fragile trees are those that have grown in a s ...more

This is an excellent book on the basics of Stoic philosophy, with an emphasis on Stoic practices and exercises. It could be read straight through (this is what I did), but it could easily be used a reference because the structure of the book is so strictly outlined and divided into sections according to the outline. The content was clear and concise, and a reader with little or no previous philosophical knowledge should be able to understand it. This book was really indispensable for a new Stoic
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Donald did such a great and comprehensive job of researching Stoicism,
and then blending it with Psychology/Cognitive thinking.
Overall I rate this book at 4.7 stars.
Overall this is a Tremendous introduction to Stoicism---Another book of his Stoicism and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is 5 stars.
Donald is a practicing author--who shows you how to integrate Stoic concepts as a "Way of life "
He also has an on-line Stoicism Blog
"You have had to bury someone you have loved, now go find someone to love" ...more
and then blending it with Psychology/Cognitive thinking.
Overall I rate this book at 4.7 stars.
Overall this is a Tremendous introduction to Stoicism---Another book of his Stoicism and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is 5 stars.
Donald is a practicing author--who shows you how to integrate Stoic concepts as a "Way of life "
He also has an on-line Stoicism Blog
"You have had to bury someone you have loved, now go find someone to love" ...more

After having finished “How to think like a Roman emperor”, my mother gifted me this book for Christmas.
Robertson, along with his editors, manages to craft a clear and relatively concise introduction to fundamental Stoic practices and concepts. Organized in a way that truly helps to enhance learning, this books helps to lay the foundation for anyone interested in interacting with primary Stoic literature going forward.
Thanks again Donald for another great read.
Robertson, along with his editors, manages to craft a clear and relatively concise introduction to fundamental Stoic practices and concepts. Organized in a way that truly helps to enhance learning, this books helps to lay the foundation for anyone interested in interacting with primary Stoic literature going forward.
Thanks again Donald for another great read.
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Goodreads Librari...: Merge Duplicates | 2 | 18 | Dec 14, 2017 09:30PM |
Author of How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius. I'm a philosopher and psychotherapist with a special interest in Stoicism and CBT.
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