Stoic Stories: Stoicism by Its Best Stories (Ancient Wisdom)

Stoicism through its best storiesReaders’ Favorite Book Award WinnerBooks can be entertaining, or informative, or useful, but this one is all three at the same time. —Charles Mauleverer, composerZeno's shipwreck. Cato's final act. Cicero's murder... Stoicism has always been a philosophy of vivid lives and decisive moments. This book introduces the ideas of Stoicism through the people who lived them—its founders, its adherents, and those shaped by its influence.This is a book of Stoic stories: stories about Stoics, stories told by Stoics, and stories that illuminate Stoic ideas. Interwoven with these narratives are the core tenets of Stoic philosophy, presented in clear, accessible form.In the ancient world, religion often centred on ritual and tradition, while philosophy offered guidance on how to live. In the Roman imperial period, Stoicism became one of the most influential schools of thought, particularly among the elite, and counted figures such as Seneca and the emperor Marcus Aurelius among its adherents.Stoicism has often been described as a practical philosophy of resilience. While ancient in origin, its central concerns—how to respond to anger, loss, fear, desire, and uncertainty—remain recognisably human. It does not promise to remove difficulty from life, but to help us meet it with greater clarity, steadiness, and perspective.In this sense, Stoicism can be understood as a form of applied philosophy: a way of training attention, judgement, and response in the face of events we do not fully control. Most people, through experience, gradually develop a more Stoic outlook over time; this book aims to make that process more deliberate, and perhaps a little quicker.While retracing the history of Stoicism, you will learn:Three cognitive strategies for responding to bad newsHow to cope with grief, loss, and bereavementHow to deal with insults and put-downsHow anger arises—and how to work with itWhy conventional success won’t make you happyTen unexpected benefits of hardshipHow to develop a wider perspective on eventsHow Stoic thinkers understood power and characterHow reflections on mortality shape Stoic practiceAnd much more.About the authorDr Neel Burton FRSA is a philosopher and psychiatrist who lives and teaches in Oxford, England. His other books include The Meaning Myth and The Gang of Three: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle. His work has appeared in publications such as Aeon and Psychology Today, and has been translated into several languages.Editorial reviewsA wonderful read… Full of thought-provoking stories and anecdotes that stuck with me long after I had put the book down. —Phil Stark, screenwriter (South Park, That ‘70s Show…), writer, and therapistNeel Burton taught me more in this book than I learned in my years of study. —Philip Van Heusen for Readers’ Favorite (5/5 stars)Uses a slew of intriguing narratives to provide a pathway to the inner mind… Nothing short of unique. —The US Review of Books (Recommended)Neel is an incredibly insightful and elegant writer, with a deep knowledge of all he surveys. —Dr James Davies, writer and psychotherapistExplore Stoicism through its best stories—and the lives that shaped it. Read more