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Rating: 
Summary: Timeless lessons for living the best possible life
Review: Everyday life, no matter what our personal circumstances are, is fraught with difficulty. So, what are we going to do about it? This manual has real answers. When all is said and done, there are only two important questions: how does one be a good person and how does one live a good life. Epictetus, the great 1st century sage, gives clear and practical answers to these questions in this primer for living the best possible life. Reading the deceptively simple maxims of Epictetus, is like accidentally discovering buried treasure. I have long felt that philosophy, if it's to be of any use, needs to be made acessible in plain, down-to-earth language. That was my mission in this little helpful book. Epictetus taught a philosophy of real life which is uncannily applicable to our everyday lives today.
Rating: 
Summary: Contemporarily Relevant
Review: His writings are incredibly similar to many self-improvement and psychology books of today. As a result of Epictetus, we quickly realize that people were and still are in search of the same thing today that they strived for two thousand years ago: happiness, fulfillment, accomplishing goals, and possessing a sense of worth, among others. Such is the human ego. As powerfully yearning for fulfillment then as it is now. Some familiar with Epictetus' works assert he had an influence on historical and contemporary psychology because his writings influenced many modern shapers of thought in Roman times, which are the roots, in part, of our eclecticism. Epictetus was born a slave around 55 A.D. in Phrygia, on the eastern boundary of the Roman Empire. One of Epictetus' quotes we often hear (phrasing slightly altered) today and need to be reminded of is: "Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the thing I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Some of the time tested "isms" here are from the titles of his mini-chapters. Some examples, *Know what you can control and what you cannot
*Conform your wants and expectations to reality
*Avoid adopting other people's negative views
*Happiness can only be found within
*No one can hurt you
*Those who seek wisdom in life will be ridiculed
*Never suppress a generous impulse
*Character matters more than reputation "Manual For Living," interpreted by Sharan Lebell, is a small book that can be easily carried around, and quickly referred to. Instead of heading to the next Dr., psychologist, or self helper, get "Manual For Living." It's the got the same information at a fraction of the price. Epictetus may have left our world of humanity quite a long time ago, but his message is immortal.
Rating:
Summary: Contemporarily Relevant
Review: His writings are incredibly similar to many self-improvement and psychology books of today. As a result of Epictetus, we quickly realize that people were and still are in search of the same thing today that they strived for two thousand years ago: happiness, fulfillment, accomplishing goals, and possessing a sense of worth, among others. Such is the human ego. As powerfully yearning for fulfillment then as it is now. Some familiar with Epictetus' works assert he had an influence on historical and contemporary psychology because his writings influenced many modern shapers of thought in Roman times, which are the roots, in part, of our eclecticism. Epictetus was born a slave around 55 A.D. in Phrygia, on the eastern boundary of the Roman Empire. One of Epictetus' quotes we often hear (phrasing slightly altered) today and need to be reminded of is: "Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the thing I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Some of the time tested "isms" here are from the titles of his mini-chapters. Some examples, *Know what you can control and what you cannot
*Conform your wants and expectations to reality
*Avoid adopting other people's negative views
*Happiness can only be found within
*No one can hurt you
*Those who seek wisdom in life will be ridiculed
*Never suppress a generous impulse
*Character matters more than reputation "Manual For Living," interpreted by Sharan Lebell, is a small book that can be easily carried around, and quickly referred to. Instead of heading to the next Dr., psychologist, or self helper, get "Manual For Living." It's the got the same information at a fraction of the price. Epictetus may have left our world of humanity quite a long time ago, but his message is immortal.
Rating: 
Summary: Channeling Epictetus
Review: If you want to read Epictetus, please order a copy of his Discourses or Enchiridion. This is an "updated" version of him with adjustments made whereever. Have fun deciding where Epictetus leaves off and Sharon picks up. Like selling postcards of the Last Supper with rouge painted on the cheeks.
Rating:
Summary: Channeling Epictetus
Review: If you want to read Epictetus, please order a copy of his Discourses or Enchiridion. This is an "updated" version of him with adjustments made whereever. Have fun deciding where Epictetus leaves off and Sharon picks up. Like selling postcards of the Last Supper with rouge painted on the cheeks.
Rating:
Summary: Channeling Epictetus
Review: If you want to read Epictetus, please order a copy of his Discourses or Enchiridion. This is an "updated" version of him with adjustments made whereever. Have fun deciding where Epictetus leaves off and Sharon picks up. Like selling postcards of the Last Supper with rouge painted on the cheeks.
Rating: 
Summary: "A great little 30 minute read!"
Review: So what if this book veers away from Epictetus' original 2000 year old manuscript. So what if Sharon Lebell interjected some modern philosophy... The point is, this is just good common sense, positive attitude stuff. I liked it. If you like short, feel good commentary, you will too!
Rating:
Summary: "A great little 30 minute read!"
Review: So what if this book veers away from Epictetus' original 2000 year old manuscript. So what if Sharon Lebell interjected some modern philosophy... The point is, this is just good common sense, positive attitude stuff. I liked it. If you like short, feel good commentary, you will too!
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Summary: Epictetus: The first cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist
Review: The first cognitive-behavioral therapist, so to speak, was the philosopher Epictetus (50-120 AD). His most important ideas have stood the test of 1,900 years astonishingly well. To paraphrase some excerpts from his Handbook, especially Sharon Lobell's new edition .... Control: He said that happiness and freedom begin with a clear understanding of this principle: some things are within our control, and some things are not. It is only after we have accepted this fundamental rule, and learned to distinguish between what we can and cannot control, that inner tranquillity and outer effectiveness become possible. This is a cardinal principle of today's cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), as well as the basis of AA's famous "Serenity Prayer." Further CBT principles foreshadowed by Epictetus.... Where trouble comes from: Things themselves don't hurt or hinder us. Neither do other people. How we view things and people is a different matter. Strange as it may seem at first, it is our own attitudes and reactions that give us the most trouble. We cannot always choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them. Legislating for the world: Circumstances do not arise to meet our desires or expectations. Events happen as they do. People behave according to their own inclinations and what they are faced with - which we may not even be aware of. Don't try to make your own rules that the world is supposed to follow. That is a recipe for frustration. Exercise what influence you can, then accept what you actually get and make the most of it. Habits: We are creatures of habit, reacting automatically to events as they happen. It thus matters greatly what our habits are. They are mostly a matter of practice. The oftener we do something, and the more circumstances in which we do it, the more it becomes a habit. Therefore, to make something a habit, do it. To make something not a habit, don't do it. To change a habit, do something else instead. Good work, Eppy! You were WAY ahead of your time.
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Summary: Pop Philosophy
Review: This translation loses the vigor and sharpness of previous more classical versions. She interjects too much pop psychology.
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