Keep Calm and Carry On

by Various

Keep Calm and Carry On was a World War 2 government poster discovered in a dusty box nine years ago. Though it never saw the light of day in 1939 (it was only supposed to go up if Britain was invaded), it has suddenly struck a chord in our current difficult times, now we are in need of a stiff upper lip and optimistic energy once again. Gordon Brown had one up in 10 Downing Street and James May wears a Keep Calm T-shirt on the telly - it is suddenly everywhere. The book is packed full of similarly motivational and inspirational quotes, proverbs, mantras and wry truths to help us through the recession, from such wits as Churchill, Disraeli and George Bernard Shaw. Funny, wise and stirring - it is a perfect source of strength to get us all through the coming months.

'A banker is a fellow who lends you his umbrella when the sun is shining and wants it back the minute it begins to rain' Mark Twain

'It's a recession when your neighbor loses his job; it's a depression when you lose your own' Harry S. Truman

'An economist is an expert who will know tomorrow why the things he predicted yesterday didn't happen today' Laurence J. Peter

'Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine' Lord Byron

'Better bread with water than cake with trouble' Russian Proverb

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Reference, Self Help, Inspirational, History, Classics

160 pages

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Various is the correct author for any book with multiple unknown authors, and is acceptable for books with multiple known authors, especially if not all are known or the list is very long (over 50).

If an editor is known, however, Various is not necessary. List the name of the editor as the primary author (with role "editor"). Contributing authors' names follow it.

Note: WorldCat is an excellent resource for finding author information and contents of anthologies.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right! That's a good lad! Bloody well done! No pork pies here! Consider this book if you are looking for ways to stiffen that upper lip: there are always ways to get it done! I found this book both humorous and insightful (a very good combination) and passed it on to several friends who were trying to decide between job offers. Jolly good!

[Ghadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a small helping book when you need to be pushing forward, it has quotes about life and how to keep your calming. It's really helpful and easy to carry any where :)

[Blog on Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Keep Calm and Carry On” began life as British government poster during the Second World War in order to prevent fret amongst the Empire’s citizenry in the event of a German bombing of the island nation. Its applicability today is inspired by the financial crisis, at least according to its publishers (Andrews McMeel) and their inspirer, British bookseller Stuart Manley. In this pocket-sized volume are words to the wise on crisis, speculation, greed, happiness and work amongst other timely topics, from authors as diverse as Disraeli, Camus, Churchill, JFK and even George W. Bush. Typical among the quotes are the words of Neils Bohr, who famously said, “Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future.” It goes from there.

[Abdullah Hazim · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Don't worry about the world coming to the end today.It's already tomorrow in Australia"

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this little gem in a museum giftshop in London on our recent trip there. The title comes from a government poster produced before the war in 1939. It's filled with great quotes on different themes like Crisis, Work, Friendship, Happiness, Worry - "Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.- Swedish proverb
Another good one is, "It ain't no use putting up your umbrella until it rains. - Alice Caldwell Rice

I'm glad I found this book and I'll always treasure it.

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspiring!! This book has helped brighten my day so many times! I have over half the pages dog-eared! :P

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

c2009. As compilation books go, this is rather sweet. A Christmas present that does make for a great bathroom book and does have the power to make you smile when feeling down. I do find it hilarious that the title of the book takes its beginnings from World War II and the book was printed by GGP Media GmbH, Pssneck, Germany. As the introduction states, there were actually 3 sayings publicised on the eve of World War II with the other 2 being "Freedom is in Peril" and "Your courage, your cheerfulness." The introduction also mentions that "it is a modest attempt at inspiration for hard time". Lovely - and well worth a read. Off to put the kettle on for tea, now.

[Niki Sehmbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little book of quotes. (aside from the WWII references...) the first half is devoted to pessimistic quotes and messages about dealing with circumstance and that there is no other way but to remain calm. The second half is the part I always go back to where there are positive and inspirational messages. I bought the book one day when I felt a little hopeless and considering it's cute little size i figured I could take a quick look at some of the quotes whenever I needed a bit of a pick me up. Lame but I still look at the quotes when I'm a little down. The transition of all the messages are hilariously put together.

[Renée Fornelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is short, sweet, and to the point. The chapters are filled with amazing advice for controlling anxiety and overcoming issues in your life by systematically training your mind and calming your reactions. It is a fantastic read -- written very clearly, concisely, and professionally, with sources backing up the scientific material presented. It also provides tips and exercises for establishing a logical view of problems most people would view irrationally and emotionally. I highly recommend this book (it only takes a few hours to read) and I plan to read it again in the near future.

[Mohammed Algarawi · Rating 4 out of 5]

DID YOU KNOW THAT THE POSTER THAT HAS THE PHRASE "KEEP CALM AND ETC..", THE ONE WITH THE LITTLE CROWN ON THE TOP WAS ACTUALLY CREATED BY THE BRITSH GOVERNMENT IN THE 1930'S?!!!
I DIDN'T KNOW THAT!!!

Okay, this booklet is basically a collection of motivational quotes for people in business. Give it a shot, it's cool.

[Samar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made my friend start reading and she don't like to! Also she asked for more books to read. I gave it to her as a gift hoping she remember me forever..
,
I miss her, I miss you Meshael :(

[سارة . · Rating 5 out of 5]

الكتاب خفيف وأجمل مما توقعت ..يحوي اقتباسات متنوعة لشخصيات بارزة..
أفادني كثيرا في معرفة مصطلحات انجليزية جديدة ..

من الحكم التي أعجبتني:

happiness depends upon ourselves.
-aristotle

always laugh when you can it is cheap medicine.
-lord byron

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was given to me by my boss at the beginning of the year. She must have known that my job assignment would tear at my soul and on a long weekend trip across the country to see some theater in NYC I read through it... bringing me tips and reminders on how to find solace in the storm. Highly recommended.

[Ashley Monette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up the book in the UK pavilion in Epcot in Disney World and I am so glad I did! This book was so cute. The quotes were very inspiring and some of the best quotes I've read. There are so many inspiring and quotes to get you through life. I have definitely found some new favorites and I feel I will definitely be referring back to this in the future.

[Will Jeffries · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a genius little book that takes like 2 seconds to read through. I've seen quite a few people sporting this message around - even the guy who directed "New Moon" from the Twilight Series. Here is a website that sports some of these messages: http://www.keepcalmandcarryon.com/

Enjoy.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as my 17th birthday present from a friend. I love this book, i try to look at it everyday and it adds some new positive quote to my day. My favourite so far; In the midst of Winter, I found there was within me, an invincible Summer-Albert Camus.

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's good to increase your vocabulary ..

Also it has many valuable quotes such as :

-Work is good provided you do not forget to live.

-We make a living by what we get , but we make a life by what we give.

-Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine.

[Tracey Gemmell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet little reminder to stop sweating the small stuff. Some delightful quotable moments like the following Chinese proverb: That the birds of worry and care fly over your head, this you cannot change; but that they build nests in your hair, this you can prevent. I'm keeping my copy by my bed!

[kutingtin · Rating 2 out of 5]

much needed advices and pieces of wisdom! =D

[Samar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short , simple , interesting, smart and real book ...
It has a lifetime advices that you should hand in your office or bedroom..

[Dina Abdulfattah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best way out is always through 🌸

[ka fi de · Rating 4 out of 5]

finished my reading challenge with 2 days left to spare

wtf

here are my favourite quotes :)

He who thinks he is raising a mound may only in reality be digging a pit. - Ernest Bramah

I can calculate the motion of heavenly bodies, but not the madness of the people. - Isaac Newton

The safe way to double your money is to fold it in over once and put it in your pocket. - Frank Hubbard

Catch a man a fish, and you can sell it to him. Teach a man to fish, and you ruin a wonderful business opportunity. - Karl Marx

I'm living so far beyond my income that we may almost be said to be living apart. - E.E. Cummings

The darkest hour in any man's life is when he sits down to plan how to get money without earning it. - Horace Greeley

Work is good provided you do not forget to live. - Bantu Proverb

There is no education like adversity. - Benjamin Disraeli

Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which, in prosperous circumstances, would have lain dormant. - Horace

When written in Chinese the word "crisis" is composed of two characters - one represents danger and the other represents opportunity. - John F. Kennedy

A life spent making mistakes is not only more honourable but more useful than a life spent doing nothing. - George Bernard Shaw

Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm. - Winston Churchill

The greatest mistake a man can ever make is to be afraid of making one. - Elbert Hubbard

If you can spend a perfectly useless afternoon in a perfectly useless manner, you have learned to live. - Lin Yutang

Use your health, even to the point of wearing it out. That is what it is for. Spend all you have before you die; do not outlive yourself. -George Bernard Shaw

Happiness depends upon ourselves. - Aristotle

A vigorous five-mile walk will do more good for an unhappy but otherwise healthy adult than all the medicine and psychology in the world. - Paul Dudley White

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be. - Anne Frank

You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get people interested in you. - Dale Carnegie

There are plenty of ways to get ahead. The first is so basic I'm almost embarrassed to say it: Spend less than you earn. - Paul Clitheroe

If you can't sleep, then get up and do something instead of lying there and worrying. It's the worry that gets you, not the loss of sleep. - Dale Carnegie

Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia. - Charles M. Schulz

The best way out is always through. - Robert Frost

Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine. - Lord Byron

The art of living lies less in eliminating our troubles than in growing with them. - Bernard M Baruch

There is no trouble so great or grave that cannot be much diminished by a nice cup of tea. - Bernard-Paul Heroux

Prosperity is not without many fears and distastes, and adversity is not without comforts and hopes. - Francis Bacon

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. - Mark Twain

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. There's no point in being a damn fool about it. - W C Fields

finishing this review on the first of january because i've been busy. get off my back mum. the point is. i've finished my reading list and i'm just relieved.

god help this next year.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming little book and one that I will return to many times, I have no doubt. It is a collection of wise quotations, from Socrates to Robert Oppenheimer, via Ambrose Bierce, and is there to make you think and put life into perspective. It is also witty and will make you chuckle. Some are pure wisdom, some are cynical and some just funny

Here are some examples:

Jean Kerr: 'If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, it's just possible you haven't grasped the situation.

J. Paul Getty: 'The meek shall inherit the earth, but not its mineral rights'.

George Bernard Shaw: 'If all the economists were laid end to end, they would not reach a conclusion'.

Niels Bohr: 'Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future'.

Ambrose Bierce (from The Devil's Dictionary): 'Acquaintance n: A person whom we know well enough to borrow from, but not well enough to lend to'.

Lin Yutang: 'If you can spend a perfectly useless afternoon in a perfectly useless manner, you have learned how to live'.

See what I mean?

The whole 'Keep Calm and ...' range of books and products that seems ubiquitous now has an interesting history, but I won't tell you about it now; you'll have to read the book.

Quick to read, thought-provoking, fun and wise –what more could you want?

[Jaclyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was exactly what I needed in the middle of overwhelm. Keep Calm and Carry On didn’t complicate things, it grounded them. The tools were simple, but they made me rethink how I respond to stress and anxiety without judgment or urgency. It reminded me that calm isn’t something we wait for, it’s something we choose, thought by thought.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the quotes and advice are very pertinent to my life, but overall it's got way too much about the economy, economists, money and business. If I'd noticed that pre-purchase, I wouldn't have bought it. It was inexpensive though, and has some real gems.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Insightful, witty, and funny. This would make a great gift!

"In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer." - Albert Camus

[Riyam Sabi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can imagine no more comfortable frame of mind for the conduct of life than a Humorous resignation ❤
I rated it 2 stars because i started to love it at it's end

[Mohit Thawani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked it up randomly out of curiosity. Turned out to a book which can be read and re-read multiple times.

[Lindasp · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read that had some funny comments on 'life'. Made me laugh.

[Toqa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It teaches