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The Hidden Pleasures of Life by Theodore Zeldin

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The Hidden Pleasures of Life

Publisher
Quercus
Publish Date
21 May 2015
Run Time
14 hours 53 minutes
Format
Audiobook

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What to expect

The story of a search for a new art of living. How can one escape from work colleagues who are bores and from organisations that thrive on stress? What new priorities can people give to their private lives? When the romantic ideal is disappointing, how else can affections be cultivated? If only a few can become rich, what substitute is there for dropping out? If religions and nations disagree, what other outcomes are possible beyond strife or doubt? Where there is too little freedom, what is the alternative to rebellion? When so much is unpredictable, what can replace ambition?

Questions include: What is the great adventure of our time? What is a wasted life? How can people lose their illusions about themselves? What alternatives are there to being a rebel? What can the poor tell the rich? What could the rich tell the poor? How many ways of committing suicide are there? How can an unbeliever understand a believer? How can a religion change? How can prejudices be overcome? How can one think about the future, without trying to predict it or worrying about it? Is ridicule the most effective form of non-violent protest? How does one acquire a sense of humour? What stops people feeling completely at home in their own country? How many nations can one love at the same time? Why do so many people feel unappreciated, unloved and not fully alive? How else might women and men treat one another? What can replace the shortage of soul-mates? Is another kind of sexual revolution achievable? What can artists aim for beyond self-expression? What is more interesting than becoming a leader? What is the point of working so hard? Are there more amusing ways of earning a living? What else can one do in a hotel? What more can the young ask of their elders? Is remaining young at heart enough to avoid becoming old? What is worth knowing? What does it mean to be alive? Where can one find nourishment for the mind?

(P)2015 WF Howes Ltd

Critics Review

  • Scintillating . . . prophetic . . . engaging.

    Financial Times.

  • A masterpiece.

    The Times.

  • A challenge and a success . . . He is particularly good and funny on work and the apparently catastrophic affair we are having with management science.

    Literary Review.

  • Without question the wisest book of the year . . . at once learned and delightful . . . a cure for the prevailing gloom, always on the side of joy, openness, enquiry and freedom . . . The guide we need to the art of living.

    Le Grand Journal, Canal+, Paris.

See more reviews
  • One of the best books of the year. An erudite and mouth-watering manifesto for a new art of living.

    Le Point Magazine, Paris.

  • Captivates by its brilliance and profundity.

    El Mundo, Madrid.

  • Delightful and endlessly fascinating.

    Jewish Chronicle.

  • Theodore Zeldin, philosopher and author of many books, including "An Intimate History of Humanity" has many new ideas that can truly set you thinking . . . New mantras for this age.

    The Hindu, India.

  • A truly wonderful book. Even the contents gave me shivers of excitement. If your wish is to be alive then read this book.

    Richard Watson, scenario planner and future trends author.

  • A priceless gem, a book that remains in the heart and mind like few others...incredibly inspiring . . . I would almost compare it to Montaigne and his Essays... often ironical, never banal . . . accessible to anyone, should absolutely be read, reread and studied in depth.

    V. Petricciulo, Scientific adviser, European Research Council.

  • When readers start asking themselves the questions it poses, they find themselves living differently. A transformative book, full of wisdom that can be enjoyed by anyone from teenagers to centenarians.

    Margaret Heffernan, CEO, entrepreneur, author, TV producer.

  • This book is unique in providing new frames to guide us in discovering how we want to live our lives.

    Ron Emerson, Chairman, British Business Bank.

  • Essential reading. I am glad I read it now, but it's one I wish I could have encountered as a teenager . . . I argued with this book, I lived it . . . An enriching journey that will last a lifetime.

    Sion Hamilton, Head of Retail, Foyles.

User Reviews

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Details

Author
Theodore Zeldin
Narrator
Saul Reichlin
Duration
14 hours 53 minutes
Release Date
21 May 2015
ISBN
9780857054845
Format
Audiobook
Publisher
Quercus
Genre
Office and workplace, General and world history, Sociology, Sociology: work and labour, Cultural studies: customs and traditions, Social and cultural anthropology, Communication studies, Dating, relationships, living together and marriage: advice, topics and issues, Relationships and families: advice, topics and issues, Popular philosophy, Popular psychology

Synopsis

The story of a search for a new art of living. How can one escape from work colleagues who are bores and from organisations that thrive on stress? What new priorities can people give to their private lives? When the romantic ideal is disappointing, how else can affections be cultivated? If only a few can become rich, what substitute is there for dropping out? If religions and nations disagree, what other outcomes are possible beyond strife or doubt? Where there is too little freedom, what is the alternative to rebellion? When so much is unpredictable, what can replace ambition? Questions include: What is the great adventure of our time? What is a wasted life? How can people lose their illusions about themselves? What alternatives are there to being a rebel? What can the poor tell the rich? What could the rich tell the poor? How many ways of committing suicide are there? How can an unbeliever understand a believer? How can a religion change? How can prejudices be overcome? How can one think about the future, without trying to predict it or worrying about it? Is ridicule the most effective form of non-violent protest? How does one acquire a sense of humour? What stops people feeling completely at home in their own country? How many nations can one love at the same time? Why do so many people feel unappreciated, unloved and not fully alive? How else might women and men treat one another? What can replace the shortage of soul-mates? Is another kind of sexual revolution achievable? What can artists aim for beyond self-expression? What is more interesting than becoming a leader? What is the point of working so hard? Are there more amusing ways of earning a living? What else can one do in a hotel? What more can the young ask of their elders? Is remaining young at heart enough to avoid becoming old? What is worth knowing? What does it mean to be alive? Where can one find nourishment for the mind?(P)2015 WF Howes Ltd

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