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Excellent Advice for Living: Wisdom I Wish I'd Known Earlier Kindle Edition

by Kevin Kelly (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,414 ratings
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“A shorthand manual for living with kindness, decency, and generosity of spirit.” —Maria Popova

“I love aphorisms, proverbs, and Secrets of Adulthood . . . Excellent Advice for Living includes wise, practical advice for life.” —Gretchen Rubin, via Twitter

“One hundred years from now, when so much of the nonsense of our age is forgotten, people will still remember Kevin Kelly and his wisdom.” —Seth Godin

“All will benefit from [Kelly's] idiosyncratic wit and wry humor.” —People

Wise, practical, optimistic life advice from author and leading technology thinker Kevin Kelly

On his 68th birthday, Kevin Kelly began to write down for his young adult children some things he had learned about life that he wished he had known earlier.  To his surprise, Kelly had more to say than he thought, and kept adding to the advice over the years, compiling a life’s wisdom into these pages. 

Kelly’s timeless advice covers an astonishing range, from right living to setting ambitious goals, optimizing generosity, and cultivating compassion. He has wisdom for career, relationships, parenting, and finances, and gives guidance for practical matters ranging from travel to troubleshooting.

Excellent Advice for Living is aimed primarily at young people, but speaks to all ages. This is the ideal companion for anyone seeking to navigate life with grace and creativity.
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  1. Print length
    221 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Viking
  4. Publication date
    May 2, 2023
  5. File size
    1533 KB
  6. Page Flip
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  7. Word Wise
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  8. Enhanced typesetting
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  1. A great way to understand yourself is to seriously reflect on everything you find irritating in others.
    Highlighted by 2,305 Kindle readers
  2. Habit is far more dependable than inspiration. Make progress by making habits. Don’t focus on getting into shape. Focus on becoming the kind of person who never misses a workout.
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  3. Whenever you can’t decide which path to take pick the one that produces change.
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From the Publisher

Wise, practical, optimistic life advice from leading technology thinker — Kevin Kelly

Life essentials from a skilled navigator in an uncertain time — Steve Silberman

If you don't find at least 17 golden nuggets of advice... you're not awake — Daniel Pink

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Excellent Advice for Living:

The Marginalian's Favorite Books of 2023

“Hover[s] between the practical and the poetic . . . sometimes pleasingly contrarian, always unselfconsciously sincere. What emerges is a shorthand manual for living with kindness, decency, and generosity of spirit.” —Maria Popova, The Marginalian

“A collection of inspiring insights from a wise technology writer . . . [a] wonderful collection of 450 useful aphorisms . . . fresh, inspiring, even exhilarating . . . The title really says it all. Buy more than one, or people will keep stealing it out of your bathroom.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“In this insightful entry, Kelly, a founding editor of Wired, collects pearls of wisdom for all stages of life . . . the entries are genuinely thought-provoking, and Kelly’s earnestness is leavened with refreshing humor. The result is an unapologetically upbeat offering.” —Publishers Weekly

“The non-linearity of this list is part of its magic.  And one hundred years from now, when so much of the nonsense of our age is forgotten, people will still remember Kevin Kelly and his wisdom.” —Seth Godin

“If you don’t find at least seventeen golden nuggets of advice from Kevin Kelly’s list, you’re not awake.” —Daniel Pink

“Life essentials from a skilled navigator in an uncertain time.” —Steve Silberman, author of Neurotribes

About the Author

Kevin Kelly helped launch and edit Wired magazine. He has written for The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, among many other publications. His previous books include What Technology Wants and The Inevitable, a New York Times bestseller. He is known for his technological optimism. Currently he is a Senior Maverick at Wired and lives in Pacifica, California.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BCF78T14
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Viking (May 2, 2023)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 2, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1533 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 221 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 0593654528
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,414 ratings

About the author

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Kevin Kelly

Kevin Kelly

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Kevin Kelly is Senior Maverick at Wired magazine. He co-founded Wired in 1993, and served as its Executive Editor for its first seven years. He is also founding editor and co-publisher of the popular Cool Tools website, which has been reviewing tools daily since 2003. From 1984-1990 Kelly was publisher and editor of the Whole Earth Review, a journal of unorthodox technical news. He co-founded the ongoing Hackers’ Conference, and was involved with the launch of the WELL, a pioneering online service started in 1985. His books include the best-selling New Rules for the New Economy, the classic book on decentralized emergent systems, Out of Control, a graphic novel about robots and angels, The Silver Cord, an oversize catalog of the best of Cool Tools, and his summary theory of technology in What Technology Wants (2010). His new book for Viking/Penguin is The Inevitable, which is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller.

Photo credit: Jamie Tanaka

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
1,414 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book's wisdom profound, useful, and timeless. They say it's a good book, worth their time, and handy. Readers describe the book as simple, understandable, and easy to reference later. They appreciate the author's wit and warmth.

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WisdomValue for moneyEase of readingHumor
34 customers mention "Wisdom"34 positive0 negative

Customers find the wisdom in the book profound, useful, and solid. They say it provides good reminders and unlocks new thought patterns. Readers also mention the book is a treasure trove of timeless insights that inspire them to live excellently.

"This book provided many smiles of recognition. There were some often repeated sayings and others I learned that were new." Read more

"...Needless to say, it does not disappoint. The wisdom it contains is very practical and quotable, for example, "When you a stuck, explain your problem..." Read more

"It’s a solid advice book. Only short quotes, hundreds of them.I would say at least 30% are very solid." Read more

"...It is easy to read and reread. Much of the advice is worth passing onto others...." Read more

15 customers mention "Value for money"15 positive0 negative

Customers find the book worth their time and say it's a fun read. They also mention it's useful for short times available to read.

"...Needless to say, it does not disappoint...." Read more

"...But overall, I'd say it's a good book and a good read - might be worth your time." Read more

"This book is worth repeating, not just reading for once...." Read more

"...You do not have to reinvent these wheels. It is a handy book. I am grateful." Read more

9 customers mention "Ease of reading"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book simple to read, understandable, and easy to reference later. They also say it's a profound and comprehensive guide.

"...It is easy to read and reread. Much of the advice is worth passing onto others...." Read more

"…simple to read and very powerful. I have gifted a few dozen of these. Mostly to young adults or friends that are struggling...." Read more

"This is a great collection of little pieces of advice. Some very simple, some very profound. Repeatedly, I was presented with words I needed to read...." Read more

"...Kevin gifts us a profound and comprehensive guide, initially penned as a heartfelt letter to his children, brims with wisdom that transcends..." Read more

5 customers mention "Humor"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the humor in the book witty, sharp, and gentle. They also appreciate the thoughtful and poignant work between the covers.

"...Kevin Kelley has a warm and gentle humor that really shines through. I love his passion for crafting, DIY, creativity, tools, and analog moments...." Read more

"...Most of these words of wisdom sound good on the surface. But at the same time, they can make no sense in the long run...." Read more

"Love Kevin Kelly's thoughtful, poignant work between the covers of this book. Fresh and yet something to revisit quickly or slowly." Read more

"...Witty, sharp, and wise words of advise.Rare for me to get lost in one sitting, and one I am sure to return to." Read more

Fun Read - Great Conversation Starter
5 out of 5 stars
Fun Read - Great Conversation Starter
Saw kk speak in SF about the book as I picked a copy up. The entire evening friends and I were discussing his different insights and tips in the book. Thought provoking.
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Top reviews from the United States

S. Collier
5.0 out of 5 stars Many smiles
Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2024
Verified Purchase
This book provided many smiles of recognition. There were some often repeated sayings and others I learned that were new.
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Graham E
5.0 out of 5 stars Kevin Kelly Strikes Again
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2023
Verified Purchase
I am one of Kevin Kelly's thousand true fans. I purchased Vanishing Asia and am a big fan. So when I heard about this most recent book (on Twitter and via the Tim Ferriss Podcast), it was a no brainer, and I pre-ordered it. Needless to say, it does not disappoint. The wisdom it contains is very practical and quotable, for example, "When you a stuck, explain your problem to others. Often simply laying out a problem will present a solution. Make "explaining the problem" part of your troubleshooting solution." I like this. It rings true, and I should do it more often! This is true for most of the quotes in this book.
16 people found this helpful
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L. Lopatin
4.0 out of 5 stars solid
Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2024
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It’s a solid advice book. Only short quotes, hundreds of them.

I would say at least 30% are very solid.
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H. de Gyor
5.0 out of 5 stars gifting this book to a number of people I know
Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2024
Verified Purchase
If people are asking you for advice, get them this book. Kevin Kelly thoughtfully wrote this and collected his advice in his years like a masterful writer should. It is easy to read and reread. Much of the advice is worth passing onto others. If you're looking for a quick read where you will learn something, get this book.
One person found this helpful
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Charles Kee
5.0 out of 5 stars Useful for short times available to read
Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2024
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An interesting collection of mostly one line bits of advice. The best thing about it was that it inspired me to start my own collection.
2 people found this helpful
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vintagebarrio
5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet, insightful, funny, thought-provoking. Makes a wonderful gift
Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2023
Verified Purchase
I bought a copy to give away and now I want my own. Great little tidbits and nice conversation starters. Kevin Kelley has a warm and gentle humor that really shines through. I love his passion for crafting, DIY, creativity, tools, and analog moments. Here's a snippet: "Cultivate 12 people who love you, because they are worth more than 12 million people who like you." Good advice from a soul who's refreshingly uncynical yet clear-sighted. Will buy several more copies as this makes an excellent little present for just about anyone.
5 people found this helpful
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Jeremy Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect gift
Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2024
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…simple to read and very powerful. I have gifted a few dozen of these. Mostly to young adults or friends that are struggling. I read a page or two every morning.
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Good tips for good life living
Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2023
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This book provides many useful hints that will have you agreeing.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Gabriel Fernandes
5.0 out of 5 stars maravilha
Reviewed in Brazil on June 20, 2024
Verified Purchase
Vale a pena ler uma pérola por dia.
Adoro livros de pensamentos e citações e esse foge do padrão: pensamentos contemporâneos, fora da obviedade.
One person found this helpful
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Rolando VJ
5.0 out of 5 stars Kevin Kelly Es Un Gigante
Reviewed in Mexico on January 9, 2024
Verified Purchase
Me dijeron, Kevin Kelly es la persona más interesante del mundo. En verdad lo es. Un libro repleto de consejos para la vida presentados de forma amena y en extremo inteligente. Un pensador y escritor creativo e innovador como pocos. Un personaje fuera de serie que sabe como transmitir la complejidad de forma creativamente sencilla. Una lectura que vale mucho la pena realizar. Sabiduría transmitida por parte de Kelly de una forma muy sencilla de entender y digerir.
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John Ragone
5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a must have
Reviewed in Canada on August 28, 2023
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I read this book regularly and the advice is short, simple, and easy to remember, which means it comes up in my day to day all the time and helps give me a good framework for making better choices. For example, no matter how careful you are, the clothes you are wearing when you paint will get paint on them, is one piece of advice. I make sure to take the extra minute to get changed into old dumpy clothes every time i paint now. This book will change the little and big things in your life if you listen.
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César López
5.0 out of 5 stars very useful
Reviewed in Spain on June 22, 2024
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Thank you Kevin, a very useful book for life. I learnt a lot. It is time that you gain to get this amazing book.
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"andrewwoods_uk"
5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 31, 2024
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A great book to enjoy and refer back to. Common sense is not that common and this book has a lot of great advice.
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