The School of Life: On Failure

This is a hopeful, consoling, gentle book about failure. Our societies talk a lot about success, but the reality is that no one gets through life without failing - in small and usually also in large ways. Sometimes our failures are very obvious, at other times, we feel we have to conceal them out of shame. This book encourages us to accept the role that failure plays for all of us and to feel compassion for ourselves for the messes we can't help but make as we go through our lives.



Our societies talk a lot about how to succeed: we'd end up so much wiser and calmer if we learnt how to cope better with the more likely scenario of failure. This is a book packed with dignified, sensible, kindly suggestions about how to approach failure: how to deal with friends, how to cope with enemies, how to endure regret, how to pick oneself up, how to accept oneself despite one's flaws, and how to endure and thrive in new, less than ideal circumstances.



It's a perfect volume for anyone who has ever had a relationship breakdown, suffered a career reversal, made enemies, bungled a project or wasted their time - in other words, for all of us. When we fail, it can sometimes seem as if we are alone in this however, in truth, there is nothing more human than to fail - and nothing wiser and more necessary than to learn to fail well.

“"[This book is] totally insightful and helpful." - NetGalley review "[A] quick, provocative, albeit at times cynical read that is especially relevant to those struggling with a recent or past failure experience. [...] [T]his book will certainly help you think through the nature, implications, and possible interventions for addressing failure." - NetGalley review "I appreciate the way that it takes a multi-dimensional look at failure with historical and literary references throughout, as well as tangible ideas in a modern way of dealing with failure." - NetGalley review”

"This comforting and calming read...offers a level-headed approach to facing failure. It supplies helpful advice to de-escalate a spiral of negative feelings and find grounding. Recommended for general collections." - Review, Library Journal

"[This book is] totally insightful and helpful." - NetGalley review

"[A] quick, provocative, albeit at times cynical read that is especially relevant to those struggling with a recent or past failure experience. [...] [T]his book will certainly help you think through the nature, implications, and possible interventions for addressing failure." - NetGalley review

"I appreciate the way that it takes a multi-dimensional look at failure with historical and literary references throughout, as well as tangible ideas in a modern way of dealing with failure." - NetGalley review

The School of Life is a global organisation helping people lead more fulfilled lives. Through their range of books, gifts

and stationery they aim to prompt more thoughtful natures and help everyone to find fulfilment. They are a resource for

exploring self-knowledge, relationships, work, socialising, finding calm and enjoying culture through content, community

and conversation. The School of Life Press brings together the thinking and ideas of the School of Life creative team

under the direction of series editor, Alain de Botton.

This is a hopeful, consoling, gentle book about failure. Our societies talk a lot about success, but the reality is that no one gets through life without failing - in small and usually also in large ways. Sometimes our failures are very obvious, at other times, we feel we have to conceal them out of shame. This book encourages us to accept the role that failure plays for all of us and to feel compassion for ourselves for the messes we can't help but make as we go through our lives.Our societies talk a lot about how to succeed: we'd end up so much wiser and calmer if we learnt how to cope better with the more likely scenario of failure. This is a book packed with dignified, sensible, kindly suggestions about how to approach failure: how to deal with friends, how to cope with enemies, how to endure regret, how to pick oneself up, how to accept oneself despite one's flaws, and how to endure and thrive in new, less than ideal circumstances.It's a perfect volume for anyone who has ever had a relationship breakdown, suffered a career reversal, made enemies, bungled a project or wasted their time - in other words, for all of us. When we fail, it can sometimes seem as if we are alone in this however, in truth, there is nothing more human than to fail - and nothing wiser and more necessary than to learn to fail well.

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