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THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

‘In this book, Arthur C. Brooks helps people find greater happiness as they age and change’ – The Dalai Lama

‘This book is amazing’ – Chris Evans

‘A valuable guide to finding new purpose and success in later life’ – Daily Mail

From the bestselling author and columnist behind The Atlantic’s popular ‘How to Build a Life’ series, a guide to transforming the life changes we fear into a source of strength.

In the first half of life, ambitious strivers embrace a simple formula for success in work and life: focus single-mindedly, work tirelessly, sacrifice personally, and climb the ladder relentlessly.

It works. Until it doesn’t.

The second half of life is governed by different rules. In middle age, many strivers begin to find success coming harder and harder, rewards less satisfying, and family relationships withering. In response, they do what strivers always do: they double down on work in an attempt to outrun decline and weakness, and deny the changes that are becoming more and more obvious. The result is often anger, fear, and disappointment at a time in life that they imagined would be full of joy, fulfilment and pride.

It doesn’t have to be that way. In From Strength to Strength, happiness expert and bestselling author Arthur C. Brooks reveals a path to beating the ‘striver’s curse.’ Drawing on science, classical philosophy, theology and history, he shares strategies for releasing old habits and forming new life practices, showing you how to:

– Kick the habits of workaholism, success addiction, and self-objectification
– Meditate on death – in order to beat fear and live well
– Start a spiritual adventure
– Embrace weakness in a way that turns it into strength.

Change in your life is inevitable, but suffering is not. From Strength to Strength shows you how to accept the gifts of the second half of life with grace, joy, and ever deepening purpose.

Publisher Review

In this book, Arthur C. Brooks helps people find greater happiness as they age and change. -- The Dalai Lama A valuable guide to finding new purpose and success in later life. * Daily Mail * This book is amazing. We've all read it cover to cover. We couldn't put it down. * Chris Evans * Brooks has amassed vast research on happiness... and filled the book with explanations and theories about brain function and its ups and downs through time. * The Independent * To the overachievers, success addicts, and tired strivers who are fairly confident you can't keep it up forever but will try anyway - this book is for you. Arthur Brooks shows you it's possible to build a life that really does get better with age. -- Simon Sinek, optimist and author of Start with Why and The Infinite Game Arthur Brooks is one of my very favorite thinkers. Witty, wise, and insatiably curious, he is one of the few intellectuals who can reliably weave scientific research and everyday observations into what we all really need: succinct advice for a good life. -- Angela Duckworth, founder and CEO of Character Lab and author of Grit From Strength to Strength offers real answers to timeless questions about happiness and progress: How can I be happier? How can I have more meaning in life? What is the most important thing to me right now and why? -- Eric Schmidt, former chairman and CEO of Google In this sparkling book, Arthur Brooks considers one of the oldest and deepest questions in the spiritual tradition, namely, how to navigate the tricky waters that separate the first and second halves of life. I found inspiration and hope literally on every page. -- Bishop Robert Barron, founder of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries and auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Brooks appears to have a clear strategy here: first he horrifies you, then he bucks you up. An alternate title for this book could be The Good News About Your Inevitable Decline. Most of us strivers believe we can keep racing until we run out of road. Arthur is trying to save us pain and maximize our contributions to the species. Every ambitious person should read this. -- Dan Harris, author and former ABC News anchor From Strength to Strength is a wise and inspiring guide to reimagining the rest of your life. If you're a striver tired of striving, this remarkable book is for you. -- Daniel H. Pink, author of Drive, When, and A Whole New Mind