Turning to philosophers, historians, politicians and artists, De Botton examines where our anxieties about success and status originate. the hardback edition has spent two and a half months in the )Sunday Times( top five bestseller list, selling over 50,000 copies. This paperback edition will have huge publicity, including nationwide events and features. De Botton has taken philosophy back to its simplest and most important purpose: helping us live our lives )Independent(In Status Anxiety, Bestselling author Alain de Botton sets out to understand our universal fear of failure - and how we might change. We all worry about what others think of us. We all long to succeed and fear failure. We all suffer - to a greater or lesser degree, usually privately and with embarrassment - from status anxiety. For the first time, Alain de Botton gives a name to this universal condition and sets out to investigate both its origins and possible solutions. He looks at history, philosophy, economics, art and politics - and reveals the many ingenious ways that great minds have overcome their worries. the result is a book that is not only entertaining and thought-provoking - but genuinely wise and helpful as well. Clever, wise. De Bottons gift is to prompt us to think about how we live and how we might change things the TimesDe Botton analyses modern society with great charm, learning and humour. His remedies come as a welcome relief when most books offering solutions to the stresses of life recommend the lotus position Daily MailMeasured, amused, compassionate . . . de Botton is a surefooted discoverer of the pungent but less well known quote Daily TelegraphA purveyor of serious buy playful manuals for living GQTurned me into a fan, for its range, insight, wit and sheer usefulness Daily Express