Wise Words: Philosophy for Everyday Life

by Stephen Trombley

A philosophical miscellany, as diverting as it is instructive, centred on an eclectic sequence of themes, ranging from advice to ageing, from backbiting to bigotry, from freedom to friendship, and from work to walking.

Stephen Trombley mines the canon of two and half millennia of Western thought for observations that reflect the seriousness, the joy and the strangeness of human existence, counterpointing these words of wisdom with episodes - sometimes humorous, sometimes poignant, sometimes plain odd - from the lives of the great philosophers.

WISE WORDS includes, on each of its themes, the thoughts of philosophers from the distant past to the present. The result is a multi-dimensional treatment of each theme that crosses temporal, national and ideological boundaries.

- See more at: http://headofzeus.com/books/Wise+Word...

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction

336 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2016

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light-hearted book full of philosophical anecdotes and general philosophical concepts. Some quirky facts in there as well. Although the topics are all fascinating, the discussion remains a bit shallow with many weak arguments and too many philosophers’ personal anecdotes. Still, I had fun and laughter while reading it and it’s not supposed to be a serious read. So overall, good little hidden gem.

[Isabelle Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book I think about often and deliver a great amount of truth. I find myself going back to this quite often. Just to read a chapter or two. If you like thinking about deep things I highly recommend this book.

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

A structured list of stories involving people rated as philosophers, really an excuse to push some quotes.

[Graham Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining condensed history of philosophy, grouped into subjects. Madmen, Nazis, and obscurantists seem to make up the bulk of Western philosophers. I'm sure that's no problem at all.