Scan barcode
aclark225's review
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
I'll have to reread this at some point. Frequent stops and starts made it harder to enjoy some of the chapters, but I got some good tidbits that I have been using in everyday life that seems to make a small but marked difference in my mood.
seclement's review
4.0
Although the quip on the book jacket says this is 'a bracing detox for the self-help junkie', I am not at all in that category and more inclined to the grumpy tone in the subtitle of this book. Perhaps that's why I enjoyed this book so much; it's a bit of an affirmation for the likes of us who couldn't fathom the idea of making a vision board or attending a 'power of positive thinking' rally with earnestly enthusiastic self-help junkies. The book is not exactly a scientific piece or even something like a Malcolm Gladwell book where the author pretends to be speaking with great authority. Instead, it is more in the style of, say, a Jon Ronson book where he is exploring little bits and pieces of philosophy, psychology and other social science to better understand the 'negative path' to happiness. It's an eclectic book, and even though it's slim, it covers quite a range of topics. At times I found myself wondering why he was talking about something because the connection to the them of the book is quite lateral at times, but he always brought it back on theme. I particularly enjoyed the material on Stoicism and why goal setting doesn't really work, and was surprised to realise that there was quite a lot in there that I already live by. The fact that I don't set goals but am a functional, productive and successful person has always been an anathema to people I've discussed this with, but it turns out that this is not at all odd, but it's a pretty smart way to avoid foolishly pursuing goals when they should just be abandoned, focussing too much on the future, and setting yourself up for disappointment. There were times in the book where I found the philosophical deep dive to be a bit much for a book that claims to be the antidote to self-help books, but overall this is a thoughtful and engaging book. I can't help but feel that the fact that Burkeman is English is perfectly suited, and I think he got the tone just right.
1mpossiblealice's review against another edition
5.0
Oliver Burkeman is the writer of my favourite ever sort-of-self-help book, Four Thousand Weeks. This is also really good, and really helpful. It's an interesting read and provides small techniques that seem realistic and practical, instead of some stupid idea that just thinking positively fixes all your problems. I loved this, found a lot to think about in it, and a lot that was actually useful. Definitely one I'll come back to, to remind myself of details.
mandirigma's review
4.0
Social media has turned many of the messiest people I know into pseudo-life coaches, to the point where if you start bothering me about positive changes I should make in my life, I can't help but assume your life is falling apart. I have grown so disillusioned by people wanting to constantly performing success and well-being, and I was inspired to pick up this book after a particularly toxic and tone-deaf exchange with someone offering unsolicited positive-thought advice on dealing with trauma. I found The Antidote to be really refreshing and validating.
The point of this book is not to assuage your existential dread or anxiety, but it gives some pretty great arguments for just embracing it. In that way, I don't think it should be viewed as a self help book, but rather a primer on different philosophies and ways of letting go of the need to control your life. Burkeman cites a lot of studies and the book is very philosophy-heavy, but it's interesting and accessible and never dry.
He also cites Barbara Ehrenreich's Bright Sided, which I tried to read earlier this year but DNF'ed at around one of the last chapters because it actually made me feel too hopeless. In contrast, The Antidote never gets too close to that point, even in its chapters about death and security. It's a great read, and I'd recommend it to anyone tired of positivity culture.
The point of this book is not to assuage your existential dread or anxiety, but it gives some pretty great arguments for just embracing it. In that way, I don't think it should be viewed as a self help book, but rather a primer on different philosophies and ways of letting go of the need to control your life. Burkeman cites a lot of studies and the book is very philosophy-heavy, but it's interesting and accessible and never dry.
He also cites Barbara Ehrenreich's Bright Sided, which I tried to read earlier this year but DNF'ed at around one of the last chapters because it actually made me feel too hopeless. In contrast, The Antidote never gets too close to that point, even in its chapters about death and security. It's a great read, and I'd recommend it to anyone tired of positivity culture.
jpmaguire2's review
4.0
Rarely do I read consecutive books from the same author, but I've found Burkeman's take on building a life to be refreshingly realistic and yet aspirational.
This one calls into question our contemporary obsession with happiness, optimism, and positivity. Burkeman uses a wide range of traditions to argue that we're better served embracing all the complexities of life, good and bad, if we want to draw closer to knowing ourselves and the world. Whereas the cult of optimism may be an exercise in frantically suppressing negative thoughts, emotions, and realities that could be immensely valuable in the expansion of our life's journey.
This one calls into question our contemporary obsession with happiness, optimism, and positivity. Burkeman uses a wide range of traditions to argue that we're better served embracing all the complexities of life, good and bad, if we want to draw closer to knowing ourselves and the world. Whereas the cult of optimism may be an exercise in frantically suppressing negative thoughts, emotions, and realities that could be immensely valuable in the expansion of our life's journey.
horfhorfhorf's review
4.0
This is one of those books that makes me feel good about being a realist while simultaneously handing me some options to make realism a lot less frightening. So bummed I have to return this to the library; will definitely be purchasing a copy.
toniclark's review
4.0
By the author of Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals (NB: Not your typical time management book), The Antidote is another ANTI-self-help treatise and it’s a real gem. With chapters on such topics as trying too hard to be happy, stoicism, unrealistic goals, failure, insecurity, and death, it’s witty, erudite, fresh, and fascinating. And humorous. The audio is especially delightful with Burkeman narrating. I love listening to him and I’m sure I’ll listen to it again. His philosophy dovetails perfectly with my studio motto: Embrace Imperfection!