A Field Guide to a Happy Life: 53 Brief Lessons for Living

A brilliant philosopher reimagines Stoicism for our modern age in this thought-provoking guide to a better life.

“A bold, contemporary updating of Stoicism for the present day.” ―John Sellars, author of Stoicism 

How do we find joy and meaning in our lives when everything we care about can be destroyed in an instant?  
 
Philosopher Massimo Pigliucci found the answer in ancient Stoicism, and in A Field Guide to a Happy Life, he offers a new rendition of this philosophy adapted for the twenty-first century. Stoicism is thought of as simply having a stiff upper lip. In Pigliucci’s hands, however, the point isn’t about indifference; it’s about maintaining equanimity in the face of strife and embracing level-headed enjoyment in a culture of excess.  
 
Modern life overflows with both pleasure and pain. Whether you are already practicing Stoicism or are simply someone looking for help navigating the ups and downs, A Field Guide to a Happy Life is an essential and accessible companion.

Massimo Pigliucci is the K. D. Irani Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York. The author or editor of twenty-one books, he has been published in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and Salon, among others. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.