Rating: 
Summary: Completely Cute
Review: I had purchased How Proust Can Change Your Life some time ago and thought that it was wonderful. I was in the bathroom at Powell's and saw a poster for this book and went and picked up a copy right away. I really like the fact that he doesn't pick typical philsophers (Descartes, Kant, Wittgenstein). This was really my first exposure to Montaigne, Seneca, and Epicurus. His commentary was great as was the style and format of the book. Lots of pictures keep the spirit of it light and airy. This book felt actually helpful with the problems it dealt with, and I'm inspired to check into these philosophers that I didn't know so much about prior to this. I'd suggest this to anyone interested in philosophy, or I think it would make an excellent gift.
Rating: 
Summary: Cliff Notes for Philosophy
Review: As with all things, this book has both positive and negative points. Alain De Botton writes in such a manner, that philosophy becomes available to the masses. (And without having to read the origional Greek, French, Latin, or German) However, he chooses to gloss over his explanations of his interpretations. This book is successful in exposing six renown philosophers to the casual student. However, for the serious student, it does little more than wet the appetite.So, the question with the value of this book becomes what do you want to accomplish? If you are looking for a good book to read while sipping a Latte at your local Starbucks, and you want a conversation starter with that cute girl three tables over, then this is for you. If you actually need your philosophy expounded upon, then you'll need to look elsewhere.
Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining wisdom in a small book.
Review: This book was a great read. Alain de Botton shows what some of the greater thinkers had to say about everyday pains which all of us endure at some time in our lives: Socrates on ridicule from the masses. Epicurus on the pleasures of life. Seneca on frustration which leads to temporary anger and being at peace with things you cannot control. Montaigne on inadequacy (the title of the chapter), but really the value of a simple life, and the frustrations that lead to denying a picture of the whole individual which includes the rational and the physical such as farting, and sex. Schopenhauer on the illusion of love and the causes of rejection. Nietzche on the obstacles between us and our goals, and living a full and invigorating life. Each chapter presents a theme, e.g. love lost, and a philosopher. What that philosopher had to say about the subject and the life of the philosopher and how that philosopher met with that difficulty. Scattered throughout are some nice photos and illustrations that help to emphasize the point and keep the book light. I would say nearly every page had a nice juicy quote worthy of remembering that was written either by the philosopher or by Alain de Botton. I particularly like the first 2-3 chapters where Botton summarizes in bullet form the guidelines to 'think rationally' according to Socrates, or Epicurus steps to discover if you believe that a desire is necessary for happiness. The biggest surprises for me was the chapter on Epicurus and his recipe for happiness. I have been told by all my teachers that Epicurus was a 'party animal'. And that is all that was said about Epicurus. On the contrary, this chapter presents Epicurus as probably the first scientist for happiness; happy-ology. The chapter of Nietzche was maybe my least favorite, mainly because I don't entirely agree with Nietzche. That great happiness is accompanied by great sadness seems quite in doubt to me. That someone living a good, happy, properous life is evidence that that person must have gone through pain is again doubtful. Look at all the rich kids. I think Nietzche should have read Socrates. Or, maybe the first chapter of this book! You can read thousands of pages of these philosophers works and thousands more on their biographies. Then think for hours to distill these philosopher's viewpoints. Save yourself the hours. Botton does that for you here. This book is a great place to start on philosophy. Personally, I would start with Seneca, since I seem to have roughly the same viewpoint as he does, and all the philosophers in the book refer to him. (Except for Epicurus and Socrates who lived before him.) The back of the book describes this book as a self-help/philosophy book. I'm not sure I would call it a self-help book. If a long love of mine suddenly decides to leave me, I don't think knowing that Schopenhaur would tell me that "well you probably would have had ugly kids, so don't feel bad" will help any. Instead of self-help, replace that with humor. The book is light, filled with wisdom, plenty of facts, and for me, lots of laughs. Time well spent, indeed.
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