The Practicing Stoic: A Philosophical User's Manual Hardcover – April 1, 2018

This book might have been called something like "the Stoics in their own words," because that's primarily what it is. The author's own writings are limited in this book, and used primarily to introduce and organize a large collection of quotations from thinkers ranging from Seneca to Schopenhauer. The result is that the book is not only an amazing treasury of writings from both the Stoics and (albeit to a lesser extent) their critics, but perhaps the definitive introductory text for readers who want to learn more about Stoic philosophy either to put these teachings into personal practice or just to further their education on the subject.Admittedly, this is far from a complete work on the subject. That probably couldn't be condensed into a single volume even if one tried, and this book doesn't really try to. It dispenses with many of Stoicism's more "academic" ideas and focuses, as the title might suggest, on the more "practical" ones. Readers already familiar with Stoic thought will find this to be a charming and useful refresher or collection of quotations. Readers less familiar with Stoicism will find it to be a worthy introduction, both readable and challenging.In terms of format, the book is attractively presented with citations for the large number of quotations written alongside the text. It is productively divided into thirteen chapters covering separate but overlapping subjects. The lack of a full index might make it challenging to relocate a specific quotation, but the overall organization makes it simplicity itself to locate any topic the reader might want to revisit.I first came to Ward Farnsworth's writings through his work on law. I then discovered his work on chess. After reading this triumph, I'm beginning to think there's nothing he can't write about. I highly recommend it.

Enjoyed this book. A good survey that incorporates the classic Greek and Roman stoics, and others who reflected on stoic practice, and who came to thoughts commensurate with the classics. The authors comments and annotations on the quotes are often insightful.What I find most valuable are two aspects. First is organizing around themes of the practices. What different people said on a theme are collected into a chapter. In a handful of pages the aspect is handled with different views, different parts, and different perspectives (even in the Parspective chapter!). Sometimes I felt as if in a stoa with these different folk from different eras, together with the author.The second aspect is the depth. Digging into each theme. Connecting parts of themes (some; not a constant cross-referencing, which would be tiresome; this book is not tiresome). Again, the author guides the reader through the process. This is not a shallow book. But as a whole practice a theme or a part of a theme can be a place to start.A full five stars for the hardcover and for the audiobook.

I had never read about Stoicism before reading this book. I am glad that this was the first book that I read. I might not venture on to other Stoic books.I am a very analytical and detail oriented person. I am also very introspective and can be hard on myself. The way this book is organized and delivers its content was perfect for me. The author has created a system out of the Stoic writings and packaged it into this single book. When I was about three-quarters of the way through the book, I started to add my own personalized Stoic thoughts and actions to my life. By the end of the book, I can say "I get it." This book is now one of my personal treasures. I plan to re-read it in a few months and journal my way through it.I sought out Stoicism because I had hit a very low point in my life. Years of trying to love a mentally ill family member had finally worn me down to a nub. The experience had uncovered and highlighted my own issues to myself. I was so dismantled that I didn't know what the right word or action was anymore.I had already read a couple of books on the specific mental illness, talked to a therapist and sought advice from friends. But I found nothing that really lifted any of the burden from me or taught me how to act and relate to my family member until reading through this book.Stoicism is not psychology or self-help. Stoicism is nothing like the contemporary crap we have to rely upon today. As the final chapter in this book points out, Stoicism is about gaining the wisdom now that would come naturally if you could live a thousand lifetimes, and experience hardship a thousand times over. A young man can be wise and mellow like an old man, who had gained perspective though many years of experience and built his actions on knowledge that only a long life brings.I appreciate how the author takes the disparate journaling's of ancient writers and organizes them into a system of philosophy. I also appreciate how little commentary the author adds, and how he allows the Stoics of old to speak for themselves.I wish I had this book years ago. My life is starting to feel whole again.