Book description
The Practicing Stoic: A Philosophical User's Manual - A Guide to Calm, Clarity, and Courage
Ward Farnsworth has taken the ancient teachings of Epictetus, Seneca, Marcus Aurelius, Montaigne, and others and turned them into a practical, modern handbook that feels more like a trusted friend than a dusty textbook. The book is divided into twelve short lessons, each one pairing a timeless quotation with Farnsworth's own clear, concise commentary. This structure makes the ideas immediately accessible; you can skim a page for a quick reminder or read it in depth when you need to anchor yourself in a moment of crisis.
What sets this volume apart is its insistence that we do not react directly to external events but to our judgments about them. Farnsworth reminds us that the illusion of "reacting" is the root of much suffering, and he offers concrete exercises for identifying irrational thoughts and replacing them with wiser, more resilient ones. The sections on Emotion, Adversity, Virtue, and What Others Think are especially powerful because they translate ancient wisdom into language that feels current-"see your thoughts as clouds passing over a clear sky" is a phrase you'll find yourself repeating long after the book is finished.
The Washington Post's praise-that this isn't just a book to read but one to return to-is spot on. The compact format means you can carry it in your bag or open it on your phone whenever life feels overwhelming. Each page offers a gentle nudge toward living with purpose, and Farnsworth's tone is encouraging rather than preachy. He never forces the reader into rigid dogma; instead he presents Stoicism as a flexible tool for anyone who wants to navigate heartbreak or calamity with grace.
If you're looking for a philosophical companion that blends scholarly insight with everyday practicality, The Practicing Stoic delivers. It invites you to practice wisdom daily and offers the kind of perspective and consolation that can transform ordinary days into something profoundly meaningful.
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Undergrad
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Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience