The Ancient Art of Turning Adversity to Advantage

WHAT A GREAT READ!

I purchased the Summary by mistake. That is what I actually read. You can easily read it in an hour or less but the lessons could and should last you a lifetime!

It would be impossible to write a review of the book/summary as every page contains words, phrases, quotes, entire paragraphs, entire chapters worthy of mentioning. Suffice it to say that if you want a better life and who doesn't, this book will help you to achieve it.

The real test lie in these questions I ask myself when I finish every book I read:

Will I read it again? ABSOLUTELY!
Will I give it as a gift? ABSOLUTELY and in fact I am already looking into order quite a few copies for this coming Christmas
Who should read it? EVERYONE, bar none! But especially if you are self-employed, an independent contractor or involved in sales in any form. What I wouldn't have given to have this book in my hands the DAY BEFORE i started my real estate career more than 40 years ago.

Fantastic book about the stoic philosophy. The book describes the stoic philosophy which manifests in the three major themes of perception, action and will. This book is a great primer to stoicism.
Ryan Holiday writes in the same style as his mentor Robert Greene and it is filled with great examples and anecdotes that supports the "lessons" in the book. The language is short and direct and the chapters are very short and digestible which makes it great as a book that you can pick up and read.
Overall a very great book and I would recommend this book along with other books by stoics.

Ryan Holiday has explained one of the great philosophical traditions for modern living. He has done a great job in taking some deep concepts and making them easy to understand for our everyday life. There is a shortage of contemporary books on Stoic philosophy but Ryan has filled that void beautifully. Actually I would go as far to say that if I was going to recommend a book on Stoic philosophy to my friends I would not mention Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, or Epictetus, but instead I'd mention Holiday. A must read, not only for those with an entrepreneurial spirit, but for anyone who has a pulse.

Holiday's take on Stoic philosophy provides actionable, everyday advice: do the work in front of you;we don't control events but we do control our reaction to them;take action(he quotes Amelia Earhart,"Always think with your stick
forward.") The book soars when he writes about Admiral Stockdale and how he pulled his men through the Hanoi Hilton by focusing on them and not on himself;he made it his mission. Holiday writes, "Even if we can't carry the load all the way,we're going to take our crack at picking up the heavy end. We're going to be of service to others. Help ourselves by helping them. Becoming better because of it, drawing purpose from it." And always, always turn a negative into a positive;and, in doing so a mistake evaporates, replaced by a lesson;obstacles become an advantage that makes you stronger;gone are perils replaced by an opportunity mindset. Wish I had read something like this 30 years ago but sometimes wisdom never comes so it should not be rejected merely because it comes late.

This book I’ve bought at least four times because I keep giving away copies to those in need. It really helped me get through some hard times and I revisit it often. One of a handful I always keep close.

A trip into philosophy that I was not expecting, but so glad that I took. A true eye-opener that showed me the value in life's hardships, and the value you can take at all times, no matter what (who, where, or when). A great read, and Ryan sure is becoming one of the finest storyteller's I've read of late.

Superb. Transcends any and all "self-help" books I've ever read (and there have been many), it doesn't deserve to be included in such inferior company. Firmly grounded in ancient and timeless thought, Mr. Holiday has managed to make the message and philosophy of the Stoics not only timely but absolutely urgent. Read this book, take it in, and it could very well change your life -- It's changing mine right now.