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How to Be You

Simone de Beauvoir and the Art of Authentic Living

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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

'Change your life today. Don't gamble on the future, act now, without delay.'

So said Simone de Beauvoir, one of the world's most influential philosophers, whose pioneering work asks how we can live our most fulfilling lives and be our most vibrant selves. But in the age of so-called authenticity, what does her philosophy offer us today? In this galvanising tour of her defiant strategies for living, we explore how de Beauvoir can teach us to free ourselves of fears and stereotypes and live in a way that is truly authentic to our desires and beliefs.

At home, at work, in love, families and friendship, Skye Cleary shows us how de Beauvoir's philosophy can help us become more attuned to living purposefully, thoughtfully, and with a little more rebellious spirit. An authentic life is the goal but, warning: happiness may be a side effect.

©2022 Skye Cleary (P)2022 Penguin Audio Education Personal Development Personal Success

Critic reviews

"Skye Cleary blends Simone de Beauvoir's wisdom with her own in this lively guide to becoming a poet of your life." (Nigel Warburton)

"It isn't easy to be authentic. Skye Cleary's How to Be You is the guide you need if you are serious about figuring out how to live a life truly worth living. And why wouldn't you?" (Massimo Pigliucci, author of How to Be a Stoic)
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Purposely compiled with personal undertones rather than an academic account of Beauvoir, I enjoyed it, and intend to go through it a second and third time to mine all the little gems for consideration. The author makes it simple enough to seive her opinion from the facts. My only criticism would be that a few of the 'woke' issues outlined, felt a little more like cul-de-sacs than open doors and windows. For instance; to believe that the issues under the BLM banner would be better resolved by eradicating World (women's) inequality, is not a championing from an oppressor. Similarly, I felt the tale of Olivia could have been universalised, since many women have firsthand experience of the gaslighting process. Let these examples draw you in rather than put you off - the book felt like a good argument, with a well-informed friend.

A semi-academic account of Beauvoir

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A clear and uncomplicated summary of De Beauvoirs work with up to date applications. Good narration.

Clear summary

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