First published 2014
We're drowning in news, but do we really understand its impact? Alain de Botton dissects 25 archetypal stories—from plane crashes to celebrity gossip—to reveal the subtle ways news shapes our worldview. Deftly balancing analysis and anecdote, de Botton illuminates the hidden forces behind the headlines, from our hunger for spectacle to our addiction to novelty. In this essential guide, he offers a remedy to our news-soaked age: the tools to navigate the daily onslaught with greater calm, clarity, and wisdom.
Genres: sociology, non-fiction, 21st-century, journalism, current-affairs
Vibes: analytical, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: informative, social-commentary
272 pages · Hardcover · Signal