The School of Life Books

The School of Life is an organization that promotes general knowledge and culture. It believes that the humanities can help us develop emotional intelligence, wisdom, empathy, communication skills and much more. Based in cities like London, Amsterdam and Seoul, the School of Life produces educational films, as well as classes and therapy sessions.

Alain de Botton is the writer of multiple nonfiction books aimed at helping people live better lives by being intellectually curious and raising important questions. His previous books include The Architecture of Happiness (2008) and How Proust Can Change Your Life (1998).

  1. 1Great Thinkers

    Great Thinkers

    The School of Life, Alain de Botton (series editor)

    Simple Tools from Sixty Great Thinkers to Improve Your Life Today

    4.2 (416 ratings)

    Listen to the Intro
    00:00

    What's Great Thinkers about?

    Great Thinkers (2016) provides a handy guide to some of the most creative and ingenious people who have ever lived. These are thinkers who have changed the way we perceive and think about the world, and their wisdom continues to be highly relevant to people everywhere. By keeping these ideas close at hand and not far from our minds, the great thinkers of the past can continue to help us live better lives today.

    Who should read Great Thinkers?

    • Culture vultures
    • Wisdom seekers
    • Students of the humanities
    Read the book summaryBuy on Amazon
  2. 2The School of Life

    The School of Life

    Alain de Botton and The School of Life

    An Emotional Education

    4.6 (523 ratings)

    Listen to the Intro
    00:00

    What's The School of Life about?

    The School of Life (2019) provides a set of philosophical, yet practical, lessons on emotional intelligence, compiled from the real-life institution of the same name. Offering insights on relationships, work, and life itself, it gives us the wisdom we need to understand ourselves and others just a little bit better.

    Who should read The School of Life?

    • Folks who’ve been struggling in life
    • People dealing with family or relationship issues
    • Anyone seeking emotional guidance
    Read the book summaryBuy on Amazon
  3. 3How to Think More Effectively

    How to Think More Effectively

    The School of Life

    A guide to greater productivity, insight and creativity

    4.4 (1,047 ratings)

    Listen to the Intro
    00:00

    What's How to Think More Effectively about?

    How to Think More Effectively (2020) is a simple guide to improving the way you think. Drawing lessons from sources as diverse as the feeling of envy and the prose of Proust, it lays out the characteristics of effective thoughts – and shows how you can start cultivating them.

    Who should read How to Think More Effectively?

    • Reflective types who want to up their cognitive game
    • Creatives trying to release their inner potential
    • Anyone who’d like to feel a little bit smarter
    Read the book summaryBuy on Amazon