It started slow but very clear point in the end

It took me an hour to be drawn in the story. I wondered if it was just entertainment or whether it would also learn me a life lesson, but because I was intrigued to learn about Nietzsche I listened on. It was only in the last hours of the book that it clicked for me what the most important lesson is that Nietzsche tries to learn us, but even though Nietzsche is pretty complex the story made it crystal clear to me. For that I am very grateful to the author.

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Fantastic

One of my top 10 books ever. Amazing. Engrossing and a real page turner. Buy it.

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7 people found this helpful

A poem

'History is fiction that did happen
Fiction is history that didn't happen'
And these book..?
I just wish I had read it 20 years ago.

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What a gift Irwin...are a gift my friend.

“He who does not obey himself is ruled by others” Nietzsche

Fantastic, will listen to it again and again, enough wisdon for a life time.

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Amazing

Loved it.
Voice fits the story and Yalom is one of the best authors in my opinion.

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Incredible book, outstanding performance

For those interested in philosophy and psychology it’s a must read. I could not stop listening.

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a great thought provoking book

a very good thought provoking book read in an engaging way. Looking forward to read other positions by the same author

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Inspirational

For me 'Staring at the truth' is now staring at my phone screen unsure about how much I have taken from this book; doubtful about how well I've understood it. So many powerful philosophical insights (literally one after the other) on how to live a fulfilled life, escape the dread of death or choose your destiny that actually my head throbs. As I listened to this book, I would probably have preferred a paperback (or kindle version) so I could see the words, make notes, and go back to them as often as I needed. But did I like it as a whole? Yes, totally engrossed in it, 'mesmerised' by it; it stirred my mind and soul and made me fall in love with Philosophy and especially with this science (art) of Psychotherapy. I found myself reading lengthy articles on Nietzche, Breuer, Freud and somehow, I found them captivating. Psychotherapy didn't even exist only a hundred years ago or so and Yalom gives us the most absorbing and inspirational account of its roots, meaning and healing power. This 'talking cure' is a cure but there is so much to it, honesty (chimney sweeping) being key: 'I must find my own way and not search for THE way or YOUR way'. The perspective from which Yalom regards Nietzchie is poignant and admirable too, it seduces you and makes you crave for all Nietzchie's work: 'He who does not obey himself is ruled by others'; 'Living safely is dangerous, dangerous and deadly'; 'The key to living well is first to will that what is necessary and then to live that what is willed'.
I despised, however, the recurrent discussions about women being loathsome and unworthy of consideration; it is a question of how much you can grasp from this book and how you perceive it.

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A therapy session for middle aged men

This book contains more guidance for middle aged men who are getting depressed as they age for the lost opportunities in the life than any self help bullshit

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A must read

This is the second book by Yalom that I have read and it is brilliant. You can read the blurb for the basic plot and I will not spoil it for you. Yes it is fiction but it could theoretically could have taken place. If you are interested in mental health and talking therapies then this is the book for you. That is not right, it is for anybody who likes a well written and narrated story. I am a total convert to Yalom and I hope that you will be.

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