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21 Letters on Life and Its Challenges
Charles Handy is one of the giants of contemporary thought. His books on management – including Understanding Organizations and Gods of Management – have changed the way we view business. His work on broader issues and trends – such as Beyond Certainty and The Second Curve – has changed the way we view society.
In his new book, Handy builds on a life's work to glimpse into the future and see what challenges and opportunities the next generation faces. How will people cope with change in a world where the old certainties no longer apply? What goals will and should they set themselves? How will they find purpose and fulfilment in their lives? Clear-eyed and optimistic by turns, he sets out the questions that everyone needs to ask themselves, and points us in the direction of the answers.
In his new book, Handy builds on a life's work to glimpse into the future and see what challenges and opportunities the next generation faces. How will people cope with change in a world where the old certainties no longer apply? What goals will and should they set themselves? How will they find purpose and fulfilment in their lives? Clear-eyed and optimistic by turns, he sets out the questions that everyone needs to ask themselves, and points us in the direction of the answers.
208 pages, Paperback
Published April 9, 2020
77 people are currently reading
724 people want to read
About the author
Charles B. Handy
87 books136 followersCharles Brian Handy was an Irish author and philosopher who specialised in organizational behavior and management. Among the ideas he advanced are the "portfolio career" and the "shamrock organization" (in which professional core workers, freelance workers and part-time/temporary routine workers each form one leaf of the "shamrock").
Handy was rated among the Thinkers 50, a private list of the most influential living management thinkers. In 2001, he was second on this list, behind Peter Drucker, and in 2005, he was tenth. When the Harvard Business Review had a special issue to mark the publication's 50th anniversary Handy, Peter Drucker, and Henry Mintzberg were asked to write special articles.
In July 2006, Handy was conferred with an honorary Doctor of Law by Trinity College Dublin.
Handy was rated among the Thinkers 50, a private list of the most influential living management thinkers. In 2001, he was second on this list, behind Peter Drucker, and in 2005, he was tenth. When the Harvard Business Review had a special issue to mark the publication's 50th anniversary Handy, Peter Drucker, and Henry Mintzberg were asked to write special articles.
In July 2006, Handy was conferred with an honorary Doctor of Law by Trinity College Dublin.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
August 5, 2019
A heartwarming and encouraging book about life with optimistic point of view. The book deals with several different aspects of life, and I'm grateful that I still have the opportunity to discuss matters of this book with my grandparents.
I listened to the audiobook, read by Roy McMillan, which was wonderful!
I listened to the audiobook, read by Roy McMillan, which was wonderful!
February 12, 2020
This is the first book I leave a review and I’ve been waiting for this. The book it’s outstanding. Not only are the message very precise, letter by letter, but you feel the knowledge flowing and you feel the emotion that is written upon this words. Letter 7 and letter 16 are just amazing with some special and meaningful individual message towards my life. I believe Charles won’t have the opportunity to read this message but if by any reason that happens I just would like to say: thank you.
October 4, 2020
Looking at life through the lenses of someone who’s been through war, hardships unimaginable in our times today, makes for an interesting and thoughtful experience. Every letter written covers its own topic and it’s quite a breeze to read through them. While not every letter struck me deeply, here are some excerpts that had me taking down notes to revisit in future.
“To look after your own needs and wants is right and proper, because you have to feel good about yourself before you can be of use to others. Real satisfaction comes from seeing the satisfaction in those whom you have affected.”
“Nature at its very best is very consoling, non-judgemental and tolerant of mistakes. It is a wonderful companion.”
“There can be no free ride in togetherness. To get you first have to give, and you can only give it you care, and ideally, care more for the other than yourself.”
“What you can’t count matters more than what you can.”
“To look after your own needs and wants is right and proper, because you have to feel good about yourself before you can be of use to others. Real satisfaction comes from seeing the satisfaction in those whom you have affected.”
“Nature at its very best is very consoling, non-judgemental and tolerant of mistakes. It is a wonderful companion.”
“There can be no free ride in togetherness. To get you first have to give, and you can only give it you care, and ideally, care more for the other than yourself.”
“What you can’t count matters more than what you can.”
December 16, 2019
One of my favorite thinkers-writers.Experienced wise man with big heart and wisdom!If we follow his advice and behave the way he thinks is worth of trying -World is Much Better Place!
January 3, 2025
Charles Handy's boeken zijn helaas niet zoals een topwijn. Ze worden er met de jaren niet beter op. Ik las dit boek als dankbaarheid bij zijn overlijden, vorige maand,. Dank voor de wijsheid van de sociaal filosoof. Maar op boeken komt er stof, zo schrijft Handy. Dat klopt helaas. Dit is een boek van vorige eeuw, door een man die ook in die eeuw is blijven wonen. Zijn boodschappen zijn wijs, verbindend, prekerig, stereotiep, en missen de frisse Handy-blik uit de jaren 80 en 90. Kan het anders? Moeilijk blijkbaar. Zelfs niet bij de grote Handy, of is wijsheid bijna per definitie wat 'vasthangen' aan waarden die je ooit hebt beleden.
May 7, 2025
basic life lessons but feels heartwarming written from grandfather to grandkid perspective. i like a good life book though
January 7, 2020
If and when I grow old and write a book of sage sounding wisdom - a motley mix of a few life insights with huge doses of borrowed truisms - show me this review. There are way too many of these types of books out there, we need less.
November 29, 2024
Charles Handy’s 21 Letters on Life and Its Challenges is a deeply reflective and profoundly wise book, offering a rare glimpse into the thoughts of one of the world’s most respected management thinkers. Framed as letters to his grandchildren, Handy touches on life’s core challenges, weaving personal anecdotes with practical insights. The book is a tapestry of reflections on purpose, work, relationships, and legacy, encouraging readers to explore what truly matters in life. Handy’s storytelling is warm and accessible, making complex ideas relatable and inspiring.
What sets this book apart is its universal appeal—whether you’re grappling with career decisions, seeking balance in life, or pondering the future of society. Handy challenges readers to embrace change, think critically about societal norms, and craft lives of meaning and authenticity. The conversational tone, coupled with Handy’s wisdom, makes this book a timeless guide for navigating life’s complexities. It’s a must-read for anyone looking to gain perspective on living with intention and integrity in an ever-changing world.
What sets this book apart is its universal appeal—whether you’re grappling with career decisions, seeking balance in life, or pondering the future of society. Handy challenges readers to embrace change, think critically about societal norms, and craft lives of meaning and authenticity. The conversational tone, coupled with Handy’s wisdom, makes this book a timeless guide for navigating life’s complexities. It’s a must-read for anyone looking to gain perspective on living with intention and integrity in an ever-changing world.
January 17, 2020
"Make money the definition of success and the numbers may shine so brightly in your eyes that you lose sight of the real purpose of your work or life"
"In spite of that misused phrase 'work-life balance', work is not the opposite of life but is at its core, provided that it is work one enjoys and can be done at a pace that suits you. It would be more accurate to say what many want is not more life and less work but a better balance of the types of work. The work we do for money needs to be complemented by the work we do for love or duty, in the home or the community, as well as by the work we do for pleasure and the work we do to improve our skills or knowledge. Ideally one needs a mix of all these types of work."
A book that will benefit everyone to read, I will read the letters again and again, as a reminder.
"In spite of that misused phrase 'work-life balance', work is not the opposite of life but is at its core, provided that it is work one enjoys and can be done at a pace that suits you. It would be more accurate to say what many want is not more life and less work but a better balance of the types of work. The work we do for money needs to be complemented by the work we do for love or duty, in the home or the community, as well as by the work we do for pleasure and the work we do to improve our skills or knowledge. Ideally one needs a mix of all these types of work."
A book that will benefit everyone to read, I will read the letters again and again, as a reminder.
January 25, 2021
I might have not been the perfect addressee for this book - I am more in midlife than at start of (working) life. There is little in this book that was inspiring, but there were many things that were nice to read (again, as I heard or read it elsewhere already). It kept some ideas alive and up and high - oh and i marked quite a lot of text passages. So, this book is way off a senseless reading.
But there is many general and common content in these letters (which I consequently not really perceived as letters), that it somehow mismatched my expectations. There is one quote that I read for the first time:
"I do not believe in god, but I miss him."
And that is a sentence that I will take with me and as such the book will have a remaining place in my head.
But there is many general and common content in these letters (which I consequently not really perceived as letters), that it somehow mismatched my expectations. There is one quote that I read for the first time:
"I do not believe in god, but I miss him."
And that is a sentence that I will take with me and as such the book will have a remaining place in my head.
June 9, 2020
One of those books that you need to have in your living room to be read and re-read in different phases of your life. Twenty one letters, each with nuggets of wisdom and valuable lessons about life.
Otto von Bismarck once said ”Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of others.” One of the better books out there about life. There really shouldn’t be any excuse not to pick up this book.
Otto von Bismarck once said ”Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of others.” One of the better books out there about life. There really shouldn’t be any excuse not to pick up this book.
March 10, 2021
This is a very short book yet burst out with wisdoms. The context of a grandpa writing letters to his grandchildren does make every letter feels that bit more special!
I most certainly don’t have a grandpa like Charles. So, I’m very grateful for his generosity in sharing his love and thoughts with his readers like his own grandchildren. I thoroughly enjoy reading this little book and will definitely re-read it again.
I most certainly don’t have a grandpa like Charles. So, I’m very grateful for his generosity in sharing his love and thoughts with his readers like his own grandchildren. I thoroughly enjoy reading this little book and will definitely re-read it again.
June 12, 2020
Written in the form of letters to his grandchildren, Charles Handy has produced a breezy read. The letters cover a variety of topics like finding purpose in life, setting goals and coping with the ever changing world. I was disappointed by how very few insights in this book were original. For an author of his stature, I expected more insights than sagely wisdom. Read at your own discretion.
November 29, 2023
Listened to on BorrowBox.
A lovely book full of wisdom recommended to everyone I know.
Even though it's read by Scott Handy, not Charles Handy, it feels like I know a little more about the author and his life.
I really liked that the letters are for his children and grandchildren, the future generations.
A lovely book full of wisdom recommended to everyone I know.
Even though it's read by Scott Handy, not Charles Handy, it feels like I know a little more about the author and his life.
I really liked that the letters are for his children and grandchildren, the future generations.
June 16, 2024
Such a nice one, really like listening to a wise, kind but also rather progressive grandfather. Interesting because so much progress and changes happened in his life journey and impressed how he is humbled and kept with the latest developments so this doesn't feel annoying and telling. Especially heartwarming about how he love his late wife and the partnership they have.
August 10, 2020
One of the best books ever.
The book puts your life choices and values under the spotlight, to be challenged and studied. Very thought-provoking. Had to stop multiple times to ponder for a while.
Will immediately start to read it again, this time with paper and pen on the side.
The book puts your life choices and values under the spotlight, to be challenged and studied. Very thought-provoking. Had to stop multiple times to ponder for a while.
Will immediately start to read it again, this time with paper and pen on the side.
September 2, 2023
Definitely one of the best books I read recently. The way Charles Handy thinks about life and the entwined challenges is more than worth reading once in a lifetime - it's best to have it at a prominent spot on your bookshelf and page through it many a time!
January 30, 2025
it is a candid advice from a grandfather figure. An easy read. I d recommend it to youth s of around 18 years of age. I m today 43 and found it also useful. It is quite general though. If you want in depth knowledge you have to seek specific specialties books.
February 3, 2025
Quick and easy read. Quite moving. I do not agree with all the author’s advice, but those are sincere words from someone who had lived long to see the world.
Be good to people.
Try to find the balance of work and life.
Write a journal.
Be good to people.
Try to find the balance of work and life.
Write a journal.
July 24, 2019
A heart warming read with practical advices on life. Lost my grandfathers many years ago and reading this remind me of them, as if they were talking to me through these letters.
December 3, 2019
very practical advice and thought provoking
January 17, 2020
Disappointing. For someone of the author’s stature, there is very little original insight.
March 28, 2020
Thoughtful
Easy to read and to the point. Interesting learnings and examples on several key topics
Would recommend it to everyone
Easy to read and to the point. Interesting learnings and examples on several key topics
Would recommend it to everyone
June 9, 2020
Great read - Lovely writing and great thoughts.
September 19, 2020
It was a great summary of the wisdom of one of the most prominent thinkers of our time. It is easy to read with little business lingo, so could be a perfect gift for our kids...
December 19, 2020
A good and light read and great messages from life learnings...
May 17, 2021
a few good passages that I liked but most of it fell flat on me.
Read
December 26, 2021I loved the book. Very helpful to spur self reflection.
January 28, 2022
Excellent audio book version. Charles Handy always delivers with wisdom, experience and insight. Big fan.
February 14, 2022
Simple but poignant take on life and love from a great thinker
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews