Book Review - The Consolations of Philosophy by Alain de Botton

In his 2000 work Alain de Botton use the ideas of six Philosophers to console us against some of life’s difficulties. In doing so the book also acts as an introduction the the work and ideas of these philosophers as well as a kind of self help through philosophy.

Each chapter gives an overview of the featured philosophers life and ideas and then using these ideas as a way to process, interpret, understand and come to terms with some of our concerns.

De Botton use the work of Socrates as a consolation for unpopularity, Epicurus for not having enough money, Seneca for frustration, Montaigne for in adequacy, Schopenhauer for a broken heart and Nietzsche for difficulties.

Alain de Botton makes each philosopher’s ideas very accessible and understandable and the book does serve as a good jumping off point to explore the work of these thinkers in greater detail.

The concept of then using these ideas as a way of helping us navigate specific concerns is an intriguing one. How well the philosophical ideas serve as a consolation is really determined by whether or not the ideas resonate with you and how much truth you find in them. If you find the ideas compelling then they can be a great source of consolation, if you find the ideas flawed then you won’t find much consolation in them. For me, I found all but one of the chapters extremely helpful.

Who is this book good for?

This book is for anyone with an interest in any of the philosophers mentioned or in philosophy in general and how philosophy can be helpful in framing, interpreting, understanding and working with our situation.

Book Review - Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker

In his 2017 bestseller “Why We Sleep” Mathew Walker takes us through “The New Science of Sleep and Dreams”

Broken into four parts, Walker takes us through what’s happening as we sleep, NREM (non-rapid eye movement) and REM sleep, how this aids in memory formation and problem solving. How are body clock and circadian rhythm influence our selling patterns and how this changes over our life time.

Walker then goes on to explain the benefits of sleep and perhaps more shockingly the detrimental effects of not getting enough sleep. Walker links lack of quality sleep to dementia, cancer and heart disease. In showing the links between sleep and brain development Walker highlights sleep’ influence on mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety and schizophrenia.

Next up are dreams and dreaming, with Walker stating “Freud was 50% right and 100% wrong”.

Walker seems to be more aligned with Carl Jung’s theory of dreams as self therapy (though he doesn’t state this in the book) with a chapter titled “Dreaming as Overnight Therapy”. Walker goes on to explain dreams therapeutic, social, creative and problems solving benefits.

The last part of the book tackles the extreme detrimental effects of lack of sleep, death. How we got here as a species and a society to chronically undervaluing sleep, what could should and what is being done to address this.

Interestingly from a counselling perspective are the insights into depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, PTSD and psychosis. Varyingly influence by sleep, development and dreaming.

Walker backs this all up with a plethora of studies conducted by himself and many others. He is good at admitting when the studies are inconclusive, only showing correlation or where the direction of influence may be unclear i.e. is it depression influence sleep issues or is it sleep issues influencing depression. Walker is also clear when it is is own theories rather than the results of studies he is sharing.

Considering the studies heavy nature of the book Mathew Walker manages to make it a compelling and engaging read. I was left feeling this is an important book and one that will hopefully influence not only individuals but also corporations and governments to prioritise sleep, something the Walker himself is trying to do. It has certainly influenced me to include discussions around sleep into my professional work more.

Who is this book for?

This is a book for everyone. It is well written and engaging while being highly informative. This book may change the way you engage with sleep and how you prioritise it.

Book Review - Love’s Executioner, and Other Tales of Psychotherapy by Irvin D. Yalom

In his 1989 work “Love’s Executioner, and Other Tales of Psychotherapy” Irvin Yalom gives us a glimpse inside the therapy room, inside the therapeutic relationship and inside his technique. Here Yalom shows us the world and the therapy of ten individuals, all with seemingly unique concerns.

The range of his clients primary concerns include, tragic love, terminal cancer, obesity and binge eating, bereavement, loneliness, and depression - to name a few.

What Yalom attempts, and I believes succeeds, to reveal is that while all the clients’ presenting issues are unique, under the surface they are all suffering what he calls ‘existence pain’.

Yalom shows us his model of Existential Psychotherapy. This ‘existence pain’ is the anxiety felt from our endeavours to cope with the harsh facts of life. The ‘givens’ of existence as Yalom puts it.

These ‘givens’ are death, freedom, loneliness and meaninglessness.

The inevitable death of ourselves and everyone we know.

Our freedom to choose our lives and the responsibility that comes with that choosing.

Our loneliness as we can never be truly known.

And the stark fact that it is all ultimately meaningless.

Yalom then goes on to show us in these ten vignettes, how his clients avoid facing these givens and then, through their therapeutic work with him, find personal change and growth by confronting them.

Yalom is an excellent writer and master of his craft. These case studies give a real sense of how he works. His openness and honesty about his feelings towards his clients gives a real sense of his process and help to reveal the true depth and challenges of the work, with many valuable insights.

What could have easily been a dry rendition of clinical work comes across as exciting, vibrant and dynamic. I found myself engrossed in each story and eager to find out what happens next.

Here Yalom manages to both educate and excite the reader. A rare talent. Highly recommended for all.

Who is this book good for?

This book is great for all. It offers an enlivening insight into Psychotherapy.

I first read this as a student and found it inspiring. Highly recommended for Counselling students and practising Counsellors and Psychotherapists. Especially good for anyone with an interest in Existentialism and Existential Psychotherapy. 

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Book Review - Counselling for Toads by Robert de Board

Based on the characters and setting of Kenneth Grahame’s “The Wind in the Willows” we find Toad has fallen into a deep depression. We then follow Toad on his journey through counselling with Heron as his Counsellor.

Heron uses a variety of therapy models, such as Person Centred, Psychodynamic and Existential, to help Toad explore his childhood, his relationships and his way of being. Heron also makes great use of the Transactional Analysis’ ego states of Child, Parent and Adult to help Toad understand why he and others behave in the ways that they do. Providing Toad with some Psychoeducation, as he learns to analyse his own feelings and develop his emotional intelligence. 

Heron explains counselling beautifully and we accompany Toad as he explores his difficult childhood and how that is influencing him in the present, how he has trouble expressing his anger and the guilt that he feels and how he relates to his friends Rat, Mole and Badger.

When Toad reaches the end of his counselling Heron helps Toad review the progress he has made and the work that they have done. Toad then ventures back in to the world anew, ready for his next adventure.

This is a fantastic book. Well written and easy to understand and follow. The counselling process is very eloquently explained from beginning to end and as Toad learns to understand himself and the world around him I could feel his progress and felt genuine empathy with him when the work got hard.

Who is this book good for?

This is an ideal book for those thinking about trying counselling as it will give you some idea of what to expect and what it might be like for you. I can not recommend it enough, thoroughly informative and engaging.  

The Audible version is charmingly narrated by Charles Hunt, who succeeds in bring all the characters to life. 

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