The Art of Living : The Classical Mannual on Virtue, Happiness, and Effectiveness

Rating:
Summary: A disappointment
Review: I agree with the reviewer from Florida. This "interpretation" of the Enchiridion is a disappointment. Even if you don't mind the rather 'feel-good' editing job of S. Lebell, one still feels shortchanged as she has set up yet another layer of infidelity to the original text beyond simple translation. Not being able to read Greek or Latin, I like as little interference between myself and the original texts as possible. In general, this book was a waste of my money and time.

Rating:
Summary: Great book to keep on hand
Review: I am surprised that this book hasn't had more reviews as it is a big part of my life and has its place on my desk where I work daily! As a young mom with few free minutes to concentrate - this book has added much guidance to my life. There is a page per idea and enough therein to reflect upon.

Rating:
Summary: even watered down epictetus is a treat
Review: I basically agree with the review below which was critical of this work as watered down epictetus. I still believe however that this work provides an excellent introduction to the ideas of epictetus in particular and stoicism in general. If this is your only exposure to stoicism, I would worry that you might conclude that this is a warm and fuzzy, feel-good philosophy rather than an extremely tough form of mental discipline where if successful you can expect to live out your life free from suffering and maybe more importantly free from the fear of suffering. Epictetus was not a new age guru but a slave of the roman empire who ended up being the teacher of that other great stoic, the emperor Marcus Aurelius ( see Gladiator movie). The fact that the slave and the emperor both choose to live their lives by the tenants of this philosophy is a more powerful recommendation than anything I could add. I was already familiar with the "Discourses of Epictetus" so I was not really bothered by the shortcomings of "the art of Living" and I have to admit that reading the discourses is quite a slog (it is basically the lecture notes of one of his students). I have given copies of the "discourses" to friends and they went unread while over the last year I have given 10 copies of "The art of living" to friends in distress and they were all read. If you find this philosophy intriguing after this introduction you can move on to the Discourses ( I'd recommend the Long translation - best of a bad lot ) and then the "Confessions of Marcus Aurelius" and "the moral essays of Seneca". "Virtue is necessary and sufficent for a good life" - a radical idea to live by in this cesspool of self-indugence that passes for the good life in 21th century America.

Rating:
Summary: Historical Document or Self Help?
Review: I bought this book for a Roman History class, thinking I was buying a primary source document, in a translation true to Epictetus's writing. However, I quickly realized that this wasn't so. In a side by side comparison with a translation by W.J.Oates, Professor of Classics at Princeton U. in 1957, there are numerous additional passages, and some very different meanings, with several words of wisdom that are not to be found in Professor Oates translation. Whether these were found later, I can't testify to, but this translation would make a fine, politically correct, self help book, but as a piece of historical writing, it doesn't pass the historian's litmus test.

Rating:
Summary: Historical Document or Self Help?
Review: I bought this book for a Roman History class, thinking I was buying a primary source document, in a translation true to Epictetus's writing. However, I quickly realized that this wasn't so. In a side by side comparison with a translation by W.J.Oates, Professor of Classics at Princeton U. in 1957, there are numerous additional passages, and some very different meanings, with several words of wisdom that are not to be found in Professor Oates translation. Whether these were found later, I can't testify to, but this translation would make a fine, politically correct, self help book, but as a piece of historical writing, it doesn't pass the historian's litmus test.

Rating:
Summary: good old "epi"
Review: I first heard of "Epi" thro' reading Tom Wolfe's A Man In Full ..... that's pretty good too, by the way ..... and I am surprised more peole reading that have not posted. Suffice to say that the common sense and tranquility that comes from learning what can and can't be done, and taking control of your life, is eloquently rephrased into current speech through this interpretation of the masters work. Easy to read and understand, I am now off to read the original versions. Buy it!

Rating:
Summary: Confirming and affirming
Review: I have gone through 12-step recovery and benefitted much from it. I am rich in Bible scripture knowledge and I use those principles as a plumbline for a moral and virtuous life-style. This book, however, has been a key element in helping me apply what I already knew. The practical advice in this book has challenged and changed my view of life, myself and my relationships. It slaps co-dependency in the face with the reality of how insane and self-destructive are our preconceived ideas. Much of what we do is reactive rather than proactive. This book will transform your thinking if you will truly apply the knowledge contained therein.

Rating:
Summary: It introduced me to Epictetus
Review: I liked this book but the criticisms by the other reviewers about the loose translation are well taken. After reading the reviews I was curious and searched for another translation to see for myself. I am currently reading the translation by Thomas Wentworth Higginson, and I find it easy to read and it seems to be a more thorough rendering of the thoughts of Epictetus which makes his philosophy better understood in my opinion.

Rating:
Summary: The epithets without the shalts and whatnots.
Review: I love reading the sayings of men and women from long ago. In this short volume, I got the gist without having to wade through pages of outdated langage. If you are a lazy reader like me, not prone to dig for "meat", this is the version for you.

Rating:
Summary: Stoics: The people who don't care...
Review: I read some part of the book in the university library. It is really interesting one. It can serve as a manual for people who do not care about life and what is going on but the reality is absolutely different...
I don't advice you spending money on this book...