Love What Lasts: How to Save Your Soul from Mediocrity

by Joshua Gibbs

Love What Lasts is an accessible philosophical exploration into why some art is cherished by generations and others forgotten in a fortnight. In this insightful book, Gibbs lays out a framework for thinking about the arts and shows how all that we create, and appreciate, are as much concerns of ethics as aesthetics.

"Love What Lasts is a contemporary book about books and artifacts that are trans-temporal. Even if Josh Gibbs is forgotten in a hundred years, the ideas of this timely book will not be, since it is a good book about what is timeless. The book comes to the reader in the imperative mood (Love!), and learning to love the lovely is at the heart of anything that can rightly be called education. I respond with an imperative of my own—read this book." – Dr. Christopher Perrin, Classical Academic Press

254 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 30, 2024

Reviews

[Alayna Rolling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every sentence of the book is a big, fat, mic drop. Loved it.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the ideas presented in this book and felt myself convicted. I feel as though I’m a good steward of my time and energy but it’s definitely a process and there’s work to be done. I was thankful for the practical applications in the last chapter, too. This book will shine a light on the dark mediocrity that our society and Christians have settled for over time. However, just because it’s the norm doesn’t mean we have to follow it. I look forward to introducing these ideas in my household and hope that I can lead my child to appreciate and celebrate the uncommon, delight in the common, and shy away from mediocrity.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excllent and convicting

This book is awesome. I will say the tone will be highly off putting to anyone who isn't already open to its message. But for those who are willing to listen through the tone it is convicting and gives a lot of food for thought about art, education, theology, and politics. A good read for anyone who has ever wished to read great books and enjoy great art but has felt intimidated or like they weren't yet the right kind of person to enjoy those things.

[Dylan Gadberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you need a book that will grab you by the shirt collar, slap you in the face, and tell it to you straight. This is one of those books. A challenging and edifying read.