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Sick Souls, Healthy Minds: How William James Can Save Your Life Hardcover – March 17, 2020

by John Kaag (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 338 ratings
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From the celebrated author of American Philosophy: A Love Story and Hiking with Nietzsche, a compelling introduction to the life-affirming philosophy of William James

In 1895, William James, the father of American philosophy, delivered a lecture entitled "Is Life Worth Living?" It was no theoretical question for James, who had contemplated suicide during an existential crisis as a young man a quarter century earlier. Indeed, as John Kaag writes, "James's entire philosophy, from beginning to end, was geared to save a life, his life"―and that's why it just might be able to save yours, too. Sick Souls, Healthy Minds is a compelling introduction to James's life and thought that shows why the founder of pragmatism and empirical psychology―and an inspiration for Alcoholics Anonymous―can still speak so directly and profoundly to anyone struggling to make a life worth living.

Kaag tells how James's experiences as one of what he called the "sick-souled," those who think that life might be meaningless, drove him to articulate an ideal of "healthy-mindedness"―an attitude toward life that is open, active, and hopeful, but also realistic about its risks. In fact, all of James's pragmatism, resting on the idea that truth should be judged by its practical consequences for our lives, is a response to, and possible antidote for, crises of meaning that threaten to undo many of us at one time or another. Along the way, Kaag also movingly describes how his own life has been endlessly enriched by James.

Eloquent, inspiring, and filled with insight, Sick Souls, Healthy Minds may be the smartest and most important self-help book you'll ever read.

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  1. Print length
    224 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Princeton University Press
  4. Publication date
    March 17, 2020
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.75 x 8.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0691192162
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0691192161
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Finalist for the PROSE Award in Philosophy, Association of American Publishers"

"One of Next Big Idea Club's Most Anticipated Nonfiction Books of Spring"

"[William] James would have liked this book. [John] Kaag ties James’s ideas directly to the challenges and puzzles of his own life ― and his readers’ lives. . . . James’s ideas have rippled through the past century more powerfully than those of any other American thinker. Kaag’s little book reminds us why."---James T. Kloppenberg, Washington Post

"This short book is an excellent introduction to William James and his philosophy."---John Banville, Literary Review

Review

"Not since Robert Pirsig's Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance have I read such a mesmerizing confluence of personal experience and formal thought as John Kaag's American Philosophy: A Love Story. That combination is on display again in his Sick Souls, Healthy Minds―a brief and powerful book about one of America's most profound minds, William James, and what he can teach us about what makes life worth living."―Robert D. Richardson, author of William James: In the Maelstrom of American Modernism

"In this beautifully written book, which is filled with bracing insights, John Kaag shows why William James has had a deep, life-altering, therapeutic effect on his readers over the past century―and can continue to have the same effect on new readers today."―Jennifer Ratner-Rosenhagen, author of American Nietzsche: A History of an Icon and His Ideas

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Princeton University Press; First Edition (March 17, 2020)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0691192162
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0691192161
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.75 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 338 ratings

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John J. Kaag

John J. Kaag

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
338 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book introduction great and uplifting, with pleasing philosophy. They also appreciate the ideas.

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Book introductionIdeas
12 customers mention "Book introduction"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book introduction great, pleasing, and uplifting. They also say there is much here that is worthwhile. Readers also mention the book is fascinating, accessible, and easy to read.

"This book was remarkable, but it is like a very rich meal that should be eaten in small bites and savored before proceeding...." Read more

"...Still, despite the occasional downswings, there is much here that is worthwhile...." Read more

"...Thank you for the wonderful read that has peaked my interest in Pragmatism." Read more

"An interesting read. But not very practical and contains very few concrete action steps." Read more

4 customers mention "Ideas"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the ideas in the book pleasing and uplifting.

"It is refreshing to read a philosophical book that aims to bring philosophy into daily lived life by the author injecting his own experience lived..." Read more

"A great read, very pleasing and uplifting philosophy." Read more

"Excellent Insights into life and well being...." Read more

"philosophical and inspiring..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Aaron J. Brooks
5.0 out of 5 stars Slow down, and digest this delicious book one chapter at a time!
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2020
Verified Purchase
This book was remarkable, but it is like a very rich meal that should be eaten in small bites and savored before proceeding.

I normally tear through my reading like fast food from a takeout window. This book does not allow you to do that. It forces you to stop, breathe, and consider.
A few times, I tried to get ahead of my own ability to keep up, and John Kaag’s presentation of William James brought me back to heel and forced me to re-consider what I had just read before moving on.

A remarkable book — you won’t regret it.
(Just don’t try to rush reading it!)
60 people found this helpful
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Timothy Haugh
4.0 out of 5 stars Has Its High (and Low) Points
Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2021
Verified Purchase
Subtitled, “How William James Can Save Your Life”, this book by John Kaag comes across as being of two minds: first, there is an outline of the philosophy of William James and, second, there is a meditation on suicide. They don’t work equally well.

Clearly, Mr. Kaag had given a lot of thought to James’s philosophy over the years. I have always like James, as I feel much of his thinking reflects my own. And I have never read a book that outlines his thinking so well and so succinctly.

Clearly, Mr. Kaag has also put aspects of James’s philosophy to work in is own life. James himself, of course, was a notorious depressive who developed many of his ideas often in response to his own negative feelings. However, Mr. Kaag’s stories of the troubles of his own life—two divorces, introversion, depression—while sometimes illuminating of James, more often comes across as intrusive. Probably because it is so relentlessly negative. There seems little light at the end of the tunnel here, though James believed in our will to right our lives.

Still, despite the occasional downswings, there is much here that is worthwhile. I’m not sure I would put this in the hands of someone who is depressed, but I would definitely recommend it to someone interested in James and then, when the inevitable low points roll around, the ideas in this book might help.
16 people found this helpful
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hikaren
5.0 out of 5 stars Philosophy for the living
Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2021
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It is refreshing to read a philosophical book that aims to bring philosophy into daily lived life by the author injecting his own experience lived through the lenses of William James' philosophy. Thank you for the wonderful read that has peaked my interest in Pragmatism.
One person found this helpful
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Ralph M.
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2020
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I have read both his other books as well. This one was good as well.
James always seemed to be searching for meaning at a time where science told him there was none. At this time of staggering losses a lot are searching for some kind of deeper meaning. Maybe there isn't, but Jame's thought can help us to try to make the best of it through Pragmatism.
4 people found this helpful
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James Gummer
3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting…
Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2023
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An interesting read. But not very practical and contains very few concrete action steps.
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Seth
4.0 out of 5 stars Good introduction to James
Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2024
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This is a good introduction to the life and work of William James. The author does a nice job weaving together James’ life with this work, while commenting on both with general clarity and relatable anecdotes to his own life.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Insights into life and well being.
Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2020
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The author takes us on a journey through James' life and the evolution of his insights. A great read, but not for every lay person.
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Robert E. Klitgaard
5.0 out of 5 stars William James is a star
Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2020
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My wife and I read this fascinating, accessible book together--and we enjoyed it and learned from it. As with his book on Nietszche, John Kaag deftly weaves the subject's biography and writings. Many will enjoy the intersections with Kaag's own travails.
Kaag is right: we need William James today. And his book is a great rendering.
3 people found this helpful
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