5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
What a Self-Help Book Should Be, Sep 11 2005
This book traces the causes and solutions of the contemporary preoccupation with status. I wasn't sure what to expect. I was disappointed, overall, with his previous The Consolations of Philosophy, but this book had glowing reviews and, after reading the first chapter, I was hooked. It's remarkable how pervasive the preoccupation with status really is for most us (myself included), and this book is an intellectually vigorous attempt to analyze and alleviate our anxiety. It could be called a philosophical self-help book without denigrating philosophy in so doing, which is a rare achievement. Add to this De Botton's sparkling writing and lightly worn erudition, and you have a winner.
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