As a collection of biographical sketches, though, it has style and some wit.' - Robert Hanks, The Independent The suspicion is that the television version merely makes explicit a dumbness inherent in the whole project. '(T)he book tends towards the condition of television: personality-led, packed with images which break up the words.De Botton's new book consists of obvious, hopeless or contradictory advice culled from great thinkers on how to overcome certain problems of existence.' - Stuart Jeffries, The Guardian In both cases, he has pulled a glittering skein over his subjects' depths. ' The Consolations of Philosophy purports to be a self-help manual of the annoying but lucrative kind that led de Botton to write How Proust Can Change Your Life.They can be taken in small doses, like homeopathic medicines.' - Ann Wroe, Daily Telegraph These writers are not difficult, he assures his readers. He also restores to philosophy a long-lost part of its character, the purpose to console. 'De Botton does a great service to enter this territory at all: to bring the names of Seneca and Schopenhauer to a wide audience must be a good thing.They are stylish, urbane and, as I said, charming, but they lack the power one finds in wise words.' - Raimond Gaita, The Age

(.) Is consolation to be found in it? Not, I think, in the words of the author. If you are looking for philosophy, however, you won't find it in this book. No doubt that is partly what endears him to so many readers. 'De Botton writes well - simply, with considerable charm and with what at first looks like a kind of innocence.No consensus, a wide split on all aspects of the book, from the philosophy to the style - and a lot really disliking it. Les Consolations de la philosophie - Franceī- : often amusing presentation of philosophy - but ultimately too simple (and offering few consolations) General information | review summaries | our review | links | about the author Trying to meet all your book preview and review needs. The Consolations of Philosophy - Alain de Botton

The consolation of philosophy author