How to Survive the Modern World

The modern world has brought us a range of extraordinary benefits and joys, including technology, medicine and transport. But it can also feel as though modern times have plunged us ever deeper into greed, despair and agitation. Seldom has the world felt more privileged and resource-rich yet also worried, blinkered, furious, panicked and self-absorbed.

How to Survive the Modern World is the ultimate guide to navigating our unusual times. It identifies a range of themes that present acute challenges to our mental wellbeing. The book tackles our relationship to the news media, our ideas of love and sex, our assumptions about money and our careers, our attitudes to animals and the natural world, our admiration for science and technology, our belief in individualism and secularism - and our suspicion of quiet and solitude. In all cases, the book helps us to understand how we got to where we are, digging deeply and fascinatingly into the history of ideas, while pointing us towards a saner individual and collective future.

The emphasis isn't just on understanding modern times but also on knowing how we can best relate to the difficulties these present. The book helps us to form a calmer, more authentic, more resilient and sometimes more light-hearted relationship to the follies and obsessions of our age. If modern times are (in part) something of a disease, this is both the diagnostic and the soothing, hope-filled cure.

“What Readers are saying: "The book helps us to form a calmer, more authentic, more resilient, and sometimes more light-hearted relationship to the follies and obsessions of our age." - NetGalley review”

What readers are saying:

"It sounds like we all need [this book]. A survival guide indeed." - Salma El-Wardany, BBC Radio London

"The book helps us to form a calmer, more authentic, more resilient, and sometimes more light-hearted relationship to the follies and obsessions of our age." - NetGalley review

"I found [this book] to be very insightful, practical, and helpful. It's a book that would make a fine addition to your library as it's one you'll want to refer to again and again as new situations arise in your life." - NetGalley review

"Lots of food for thought and philosophical concepts to mull over. A delight to read and will stay with you long after finishing." - NetGalley review

"This book definitely is one that puts your brain to work and makes you think about life! I feel like this is a wonderful guide for how to live in the modern world despite all of the various challenges and obstacles. Great read, would recommend!" - NetGalley review

"I'm a fan of The School of Life books. ... This particular one was fantastic. I really enjoyed a lot of the historical titbits that explain the comparison of history to the current modern world. Definitely worth a read." - NetGalley review

"A fantastic, thought-provoking look at the modern world. It covers areas I didn't expect such as sex and democracy and offers a calm, balanced viewpoint coupled with wonderful art images. It helped me to articulate my concerns about living in this time. By providing perspective, my thoughts were soothed, less emotional and I was able to reassess my views. I would read this again as it raises some interesting points and gave me a lot of comfort." - NetGalley review

"The books by The School of Life, as always, shift us to the right direction, to live more conscious, deliberate and meaningful lives. To think, rethink, stop and calm ourselves. ... Very helpful and insightful book." - NetGalley review

"Another fabulous read from The School of Life. I don't class these books as self-help, more an opportunity to ponder philosophically and not feel too overwhelmed by it all. The simplicity of the messages, and the calmest provided, made this the perfect Sunday afternoon read." - NetGalley review

"The chapters are well written, with plenty of both history and advice on how to make your life a little more adaptable." - NetGalley review

"Bite-sized but packed with valuable and thought-provoking ideas." - NetGalley review

"If you are looking for a thought-provoking book, this is it. It is of great service for any reader that might find it. - Goodreads review

The School of Life is a global organisation helping people lead more fulfilled lives. Through our range of books, gifts and stationery we aim to prompt more thoughtful natures and help everyone to find fulfilment.

The School of Life Press brings together the thinking and ideas of the School of Life creative team under the direction of series editor, Alain de Botton. Their books share a coherent, curated message that speaks with one voice: calm, reassuring and sane.

The modern world has brought us a range of extraordinary benefits and joys, including technology, medicine and transport. But it can also feel as though modern times have plunged us ever deeper into greed, despair and agitation. Seldom has the world felt more privileged and resource-rich yet also worried, blinkered, furious, panicked and self-absorbed. How to Survive the Modern World is the ultimate guide to navigating our unusual times. It identifies a range of themes that present acute challenges to our mental wellbeing. The book tackles our relationship to the news media, our ideas of love and sex, our assumptions about money and our careers, our attitudes to animals and the natural world, our admiration for science and technology, our belief in individualism and secularism - and our suspicion of quiet and solitude. In all cases, the book helps us to understand how we got to where we are, digging deeply and fascinatingly into the history of ideas, while pointing us towards a saner individual and collective future.The emphasis isn't just on understanding modern times but also on knowing how we can best relate to the difficulties these present. The book helps us to form a calmer, more authentic, more resilient and sometimes more light-hearted relationship to the follies and obsessions of our age. If modern times are (in part) something of a disease, this is both the diagnostic and the soothing, hope-filled cure.

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