BOOK BRIEF

The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking

Oliver Burkeman
Guide cover placeholder

The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2012

Book Brief

Sparkles iconBeta
Oliver Burkeman

The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2012
Book Details
Pages

256

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

2010s

Publication Year

2012

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

In The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking, Oliver Burkeman explores the pursuit of happiness through unconventional means, emphasizing person-first approaches. The text critiques traditional positive thinking, drawing on philosophy, psychology, and history to examine how embracing uncertainty and accepting negative experiences can lead to a more fulfilling life.

Informative

Contemplative

Challenging

Bittersweet

Humorous

Reviews & Readership

4.3

18,311 ratings

78%

Loved it

16%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking by Oliver Burkeman offers a refreshing take on happiness, challenging conventional positivity. Readers appreciate its wit and philosophical depth but note its approach may not suit everyone seeking straightforward self-help solutions. The book successfully engages those open to exploring alternative perspectives on contentment.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking?

Readers who enjoy The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking by Oliver Burkeman likely appreciate works like The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck by Mark Manson, preferring pragmatic, counterintuitive approaches to self-help, and questioning conventional positivity in pursuit of genuine contentment.

4.3

18,311 ratings

78%

Loved it

16%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Fun Facts

Oliver Burkeman, before writing The Antidote, was a columnist for The Guardian, known for his column "This Column Will Change Your Life," where he explored ideas about self-help, happiness, and productivity.

The book offers a counterintuitive approach to happiness, drawing inspiration from a variety of sources, including Stoic philosophy, which Burkeman explores during his visit to the birthplace of the ancient Stoic philosopher, Epictetus.

Subscribe to discover more Fun Facts!

The Antidote includes insights from diverse fields such as Buddhism and modern psychological research, emphasizing a balanced perspective on the pursuit of happiness beyond relentless positive thinking.

Subscribe to discover more Fun Facts!

Book Details
Pages

256

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

2010s

Publication Year

2012

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Buy This Book

We’re just getting started

Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!