Status Anxiety

I've had this book for about a year and when I finally got round to reading it recently I ploughed through it in about 2 days. It is so readable and interesting and it really does give you a different perspective on the world and how people assess their own and others' value.

Alain de Botton has put together an interesting read (bought for Kindle Touch), and it certainly brings a strong sense of perspective with respect to status in its various forms and social circles. I personally found it to be an easy, witty read, although at times became a little tedious with almost laboured points. The book takes the reader through the anxieties attached to gaining status, and then attempts to remedy these, which it effectively achieves. HOWEVER. For the kindle BEWARE that the conversion of the book to Kindle is appalling. Literally appalling. Here's a list: - Probably 90% of the pictures in the book are not in the Kindle version - All of the pictures are referred to in de Botton's text, not in passing but as keystone to several paragraphs; you absolutely need the pictures. - There are half pages of text frequently (not missing text, just poor formatting) - Tables of figures and values are completely skewed, so it's difficult to ascertain which values are appropriate to which columns. So I had basically paid for a book, and received maybe 90% of a book. I had to get a refund from Amazon (with which I bought Shooting an Elephant - George Orwell's essays; an awesome read), as I would never be able to revisit it and it was useless to keep. Ultimately, I would certainly recommend it to my friends, but I would definitely avoid the Kindle edition. There are simply too many references to missing pictures.

Always a great read!. (Especially when life is getting you down) The author has a great way of explaining philosophical concepts and looking at things from a different and refreshing perspective. This book makes you look at life differently. It makes you challenge your own thoughts and your own wisdom.

This is the most fabulous book and really worth buying - its basically about keeping up with Jones's and non-stop shopping on useless items in order to impress others. Also got this book for £3 (brand new) full price £16.99 so I am an extremely happy little shopper. Have read it before as library book one of those books that I've always meant to buy and now I have :-)

Great book ruined by a terrible narrator. His ups and downs are all over the place and so inconsistent with the content that i think he randomly opened the book and read it without preparation. Dont bother buying the audiobook id say.

This book put into words my anxiety and dissatisfaction regarding some areas of my life where I feel that I do not measure up to the status ideal. It has helped me to understand myself and others better. I was left dissatisfied because I hoped, perhaps unrealistically, that the author would articulate an alternative to bourgeois capitalism, or suggest something more tangible for overcoming status anxiety. Instead he proposes that we seek for alternative for spaces where we can be appreciated in accordance with our own values. Fair enough, I suppose.

I sadly suspect that those who need and would benefit most from the book will not read it. There are some, who are feeling low, who'll undoubetdly benefit. But the major proponents and causes of Status Anxiety will carry on thrusting their image and persona of societal success upon those who feel anxious about keeping up. For me, just understanding the modern manifestation of what is now partly a social-media driven curse helps enormously. Being able to disconnect and easily deal with blatant social status-driven behaviour is simpler and more rewarding.

Have had this on my bookshelf for a while but ended up listening to it on audible. A fascinating insight into self-esteem and what really makes us tick. I will endeavour to dig further in to the other de Botton’s that I have gathering dust too!

Le besoin de reconnaissance est aujourd'hui un sujet majeur dans nos entreprises et partout dans notre société. Alain de Botton analyse les racines de ce phénomène à travers une exploration historique brillante, enlevée, pleine d'humour et de profondeur. Il démontre que le culte, somme toute récent dans l'histoire, de l'égalité des chances et de la méritocratie renvoie, par contraste, à chacun la responsabilité de ses échecs et de l'éventuelle modestie de sa position sociale. Il propose quelques pistes philosophiques au lecteur pour aider celui-ci à échapper à l'obsession du statut et à apprécier les autres pour ce qu'ils sont et pas seulement pour ce qu'ils font ou qui ils fréquentent. Une bonne lecture de "vacances intelligentes", qui nourrira sans aucun doute des discussions animées entre amis !

An insightful read.

First I read them for myself and now I regularly recommend them, lend them or buy them for others.

Must read book, provide insights about modern world anxiety and still relevant to this day. Does not try to feed you idea, instead it provides real examples and historical events to shift your perspective. Nicely written and sometimes make you chuckle.

Una lettura molto interessante. Lo stile di Alain de Botton è incredibile e unico. Molto consigliato