The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work
Alain de Botton
  • Published: 25 May 2010
  • ISBN: 9780141027913
  • Imprint: Penguin General UK
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 336
  • RRP: $29.99

The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work

Formats & editions
Paperback
25 May 2010
EBook
30 Mar 2009
Buy from…
Amazon Booktopia Dymocks QBD Readings Find local retailers Find local retailers Abbeys Angus & Robertson Boomerang Collins Fishpond Gleebooks Harry Hartog Kinokuniya Robinsons The Nile Your Bookstore

Alain de Botton brings his trademark powers of insight to what most of us do all day: work

Work makes us. Without it we are at a loss; in work we hope to have a measure of control over our lives. Yet for many of us, it is a straitjacket from which we cannot free ourselves.

Criss-crossing the world to visit workplaces both ordinary and extraordinary, and drawing on the wit and wisdom of great artists, writers and thinkers, Alain de Botton explores our love-hate relationship with our jobs, to explain why it is we do what we do all day, and through sympathy, humour and insight, to seek to help us make the most of it.
  • Published: 25 May 2010
  • ISBN: 9780141027913
  • Imprint: Penguin General UK
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 336
  • RRP: $29.99
Categories:
Share…

About the author

Alain de Botton

Alain de Botton was born in Zurich, Switzerland in 1969 and now lives in London. He is a writer of essayistic books that have been described as a 'philosophy of everyday life.' He's written on love, travel, architecture and literature. His books have been bestsellers in 30 countries.

 

Alain also started and helps to run a school in London called The School of Life, dedicated to a new vision of education. 

Also by Alain de Botton

A Therapeutic Journey
The School of Life
The Course of Love
The News
Religion for Atheists
The Consolations of Philosophy: Popular Penguins
The Architecture of Happiness
See all

Praise for The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work

De Botton's wit and powers of ironic observation are on display throughout what is a stylish and original book. The workplace brings out the best in his writing

Sunday Times

Timely, wonderfully readable. De Botton has pretty much got to the bottom of the subject

Spectator

Terribly funny, touches us all

Mail on Sunday

Brilliant, enormously engaging

Guardian