The Antidote

‘Burkeman isn’t writing a treatise: his book is squarely aimed at those who can smell the snake-oil in self-help, and who are looking for alternatives. Burkeman advocates for a kind of serenity—a realistic happiness—rather than the fist-pumping exhilaration touted by the New Agers. Go Him.’ * Weekend Press / Dominion Post / Waikato Daily Times *
‘Quietly subversive, beautifully written, persuasive and profound, Oliver Burkeman’s book will make you think – and smile.’ – Alex Bellos, author of Alex’s Adventures in Numberland
‘The Antidote is a gem. Countering a self-help tradition in which “positive thinking” too often takes the place of actual thinking, Oliver Burkeman returns our attention to several of philosophy’s deeper traditions and does so with a light hand and a wry sense of humor. You’ll come away from this book enriched – and, yes, even a little happier.’ – Daniel H. PInk, author of Drive and To Sell Is Human
‘Addictive, wise and very funny. Burkeman never takes himself too seriously, but the rest of us should.’ – Tim Harford, author of Adapt and The Undercover Economist
’[Oliver Burkeman’s] thoughts about the perils of trying too hard to be happy, the art of confronting the worst-case scenario, and the lunacy of goal-setting make a lot of sense. The idea that embracing failure pessimism and insecurity may produce a more satisfying alternative to positive thinking may sound counter-intuitive, but it’s liberating.’ * Herald Sun *
‘This is a refreshing book that has the ability to make a reader feel calmer about their own state of mind, if not, dare I say it? Happier.’ * Sunday Mail *
‘Erudite and liberating.’ * Men’s Health *
‘This is a self-help book for people who don’t like self-help books, and a thoughtful, eminently readable celebration of negative thinking.’ * Next *
‘This “antidote” is at once deliciously wry, winningly candid and happily liberating.’ * North & South *
‘Sharp, succinct and socially aware.’ * Yen *

Oliver Burkeman is a feature writer for the Guardian. He is a winner of the Foreign Press Association’s Young Journalist of the Year award, and has been shortlisted for the Orwell Prize and the What The Papers Say Feature Writer of the Year award. He writes a popular weekly column on psychology, ‘This Column Will Change Your Life’, and has reported from London, Washington and New York. His work has also appeared in Esquire, Elle, GQ, the Observer and the New Republic. He was born in Liverpool in 1975. He holds a degree in Social and Political Sciences from Cambridge University.

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