Scan barcode
wryanmelson's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
valeriebrett's review against another edition
5.0
I knew nothing of stoicism, so I’m not qualified to truly rate this book. But I found it fast, fun, and thorough (as far as I can tell).
sarcle's review against another edition
5.0
Es una introducción panorámica, rigurosa académicamente y escrita con lenguaje sencillo. No es estoicismo pop y no es un manual contemporáneo de ética estoica.
Me sorprende la mala puntuación de muchas reseñas.
Me sorprende la mala puntuación de muchas reseñas.
phthadani's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book very much. It was a very interesting topic to look into.
I always thought that Stoicism was philosophy that encouraged people to be aloof and indifferent. A little reward for reading this book is that my opinions have change for an ancient philosophy. Stoicism is this unique philosophy which encourages the practitioners to practice some daily exercise to control their desires and emotions in order to prevent unnecessary sufferings and blunders. I am definitely going to go full nerd in this one pretty soon with another book (maybe, one explaining the practices in more details as this one mainly covered the beliefs and history)
Reading Experience: 1 hour and 35 minutes
I always thought that Stoicism was philosophy that encouraged people to be aloof and indifferent. A little reward for reading this book is that my opinions have change for an ancient philosophy. Stoicism is this unique philosophy which encourages the practitioners to practice some daily exercise to control their desires and emotions in order to prevent unnecessary sufferings and blunders. I am definitely going to go full nerd in this one pretty soon with another book (maybe, one explaining the practices in more details as this one mainly covered the beliefs and history)
Reading Experience: 1 hour and 35 minutes
jake_jo's review
It was more theory heavy and focused on the history. I would’ve preferred something more applicable to the modern stoic
aliceisonanadventure's review against another edition
3.0
Surprisingly packed full of info for what is called a short introduction. It is split into seven chapters with the largest chapters dedicated in turn to 'physics', 'ethics' and 'logic' which explain these pillars of stoicisms, diving into them with examples and quotes. You're introduced to a lot of names and branches of stoicism throughout the book which can feel a little too pacy at times, but I understand that this is meant to give an overview of the philosophy as a whole without too much focus on single individuals.
It definitely could have benefittrd from the addition of a glossary of terms (often borrowed from other philosophical schools, linguists, physics, and psychology). I often felt myself reaching for a dictionary, especially in the sections concerning physics and logic.
The book does very successfully provide a further reading list and quotes from the figures named to give you a path for further research. I'd recommend it as an introduction if you're interested in learning about stoicism and doing your own research after reading, but not if you're looking for a 'read and done' fully comprehensive book on the topic (if such a thing can exist), or a more casual/light read just about how you could apply stoicism to your own life.
It definitely could have benefittrd from the addition of a glossary of terms (often borrowed from other philosophical schools, linguists, physics, and psychology). I often felt myself reaching for a dictionary, especially in the sections concerning physics and logic.
The book does very successfully provide a further reading list and quotes from the figures named to give you a path for further research. I'd recommend it as an introduction if you're interested in learning about stoicism and doing your own research after reading, but not if you're looking for a 'read and done' fully comprehensive book on the topic (if such a thing can exist), or a more casual/light read just about how you could apply stoicism to your own life.