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The Hidden Pleasures of Life: A New Way of Remembering the Past and Imagining the Future

by Theodore Zeldin

Other authors: See the other authors section.

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885304,717 (4.39)1
The story of a search for a new art of living. How can one escape from work colleagues who are bores and from organisations that thrive on stress? What new priorities can people give to their private lives? When the romantic ideal is disappointing, how else can affections be cultivated? If only a few can become rich, what substitute is there for dropping out? If religions and nations disagree, what other outcomes are possible beyond strife or doubt? Where there is too little freedom, what is the alternative to rebellion? When so much is unpredictable, what can replace ambition? Questions include: What is the great adventure of our time? What is a wasted life? How can people lose their illusions about themselves? What alternatives are there to being a rebel? What can the poor tell the rich? What could the rich tell the poor? How many ways of committing suicide are there? How can an unbeliever understand a believer? How can a religion change? How can prejudices be overcome? How can one think about the future, without trying to predict it or worrying about it? Is ridicule the most effective form of non-violent protest? How does one acquire a sense of humour? What stops people feeling completely at home in their own country? How many nations can one love at the same time? Why do so many people feel unappreciated, unloved and not fully alive? How else might women and men treat one another? What can replace the shortage of soul-mates? Is another kind of sexual revolution achievable? What can artists aim for beyond self-expression? What is more interesting than becoming a leader? What is the point of working so hard? Are there more amusing ways of earning a living? What else can one do in a hotel? What more can the young ask of their elders? Is remaining young at heart enough to avoid becoming old? What is worth knowing? What does it mean to be alive? Where can one find nourishment for the mind?… (more)
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» See also 1 mention

English (2)  Spanish (2)  German (1)  All languages (5)
Showing 2 of 2
I thought this was even better than his book 'An Intimate History of Humanity', though it is similar in style: examining a multiplicity of stories of individuals throughout history to illustrate or illuminate some common human issues and questions.

His great skill is in bringing history to life in the form of anecdote and biography from across different eras and cultures, and weaving in eternal human preoccupations with creative thinking about different possibilities for answering some of the odd, basic and profound questions we ask ourselves.

Among the many questions he asks here: How many ways of committing suicide are there? What can replace the shortage of soul-mates? How can prejudices be overcome? What is the point of working so hard? What else can one do in a hotel?

He hints at answers with a lightness of touch, with some personal stories of his own, and with compassion for the other people on whose lives and ideas he draws from. Throughout, his intention seems to be to show us how valuable it is to learn more about each other's innermost thoughts and feelings, as well as from the myriad ways human beings have found of addressing some of the challenges that face us all. ( )
  breathslow | Jan 27, 2024 |
This is a lovely wise book full of great stuff ( )
  paulusm | Aug 12, 2021 |
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Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Theodore Zeldinprimary authorall editionscalculated
Reichlin, SaulNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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The story of a search for a new art of living. How can one escape from work colleagues who are bores and from organisations that thrive on stress? What new priorities can people give to their private lives? When the romantic ideal is disappointing, how else can affections be cultivated? If only a few can become rich, what substitute is there for dropping out? If religions and nations disagree, what other outcomes are possible beyond strife or doubt? Where there is too little freedom, what is the alternative to rebellion? When so much is unpredictable, what can replace ambition? Questions include: What is the great adventure of our time? What is a wasted life? How can people lose their illusions about themselves? What alternatives are there to being a rebel? What can the poor tell the rich? What could the rich tell the poor? How many ways of committing suicide are there? How can an unbeliever understand a believer? How can a religion change? How can prejudices be overcome? How can one think about the future, without trying to predict it or worrying about it? Is ridicule the most effective form of non-violent protest? How does one acquire a sense of humour? What stops people feeling completely at home in their own country? How many nations can one love at the same time? Why do so many people feel unappreciated, unloved and not fully alive? How else might women and men treat one another? What can replace the shortage of soul-mates? Is another kind of sexual revolution achievable? What can artists aim for beyond self-expression? What is more interesting than becoming a leader? What is the point of working so hard? Are there more amusing ways of earning a living? What else can one do in a hotel? What more can the young ask of their elders? Is remaining young at heart enough to avoid becoming old? What is worth knowing? What does it mean to be alive? Where can one find nourishment for the mind?

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