How to Live Like a Stoic

The inestimable Tom Hodgkinson once again contributes to our collective calm with this perfectly judged collection of philosophy. In these days when I don’t even know where my hat is, let alone where to hang it, I cling strenuously to the possibility of living more like a Stoic. They didn’t care about hats. -- Emma Thompson A great guide to philosophy and big ideas... it made me laugh out loud. It’s such a cheerful book, I read it in one go (well…two) and emerged refreshed and nourished. -- Dominic West The most fun I’ve ever had with a band of philosophers. Hodgkinson helps us to understand why classical Stoicism is back in fashion and how it can make life that bit easier. I feel cooler just for reading it. -- Daisy Dunn Remember the three Stoic rules. 1. Stop trying to control the things you can’t control. 2. Start controlling the things you can control. 3. Read the masterly Tom Hodgkinson to understand real Stoicism. -- Harry Mount Where some writers push philosophical concepts around with the enthusiasm of slaves dragging great stones to construct the pyramids, Tom Hodgkinson invariably has fun with them. He knows that play is one of the best teachers, and this treatise on Stoicism is illuminating, engaging, informative and highly accessible... I loved it! -- Irvine Welsh Tom argues powerfully and entertainingly why the Stoics mattered so much – and concludes that we don’t really have to be like them to be happy. Perfect! -- John Hymphrys Liberating. A book of real wit, in both senses of humour and insight. Stoicism usually comes across as a dry, earnest doctrine, but here the philosophy is at once unsparingly practical and enticingly expansive. And also a path to question. -- Mark Vernon