A very interesting and honest take on all the self help books out there, with a little tongue in cheek moments. Some parts were not as well executed though but all in all, an enjoyable book.

Reading a self-help book that is anti-self-help is quite amusing. It's also deeply ironic because in saying one version of self-help is wrong, Brinkmann is introducing a different kind of self-help, deeply imbedded in the thoughts of the stoics. I enjoyed this book but I did struggle to take it seriously.

I liked the idea of this book but I found the arguments not very well executed even if I basically agreed with what the author was trying to say. Still an interesting counter balance to the general self-help philosophy.

I must apologise for not being able to review this book after you so kindly accepted my request. I have had an unfortunately challenging time, but am now free to resume reading and reviewing. I hope that you will not hold my difficulties against me in future requests

I began this book unsure of what it would hold and what it would teach. I try all sorts of books, fiction, and nonfiction and this was obviously one that caught my eye. I liked the premise of the book, I liked the idea of resisting the urge to copy every new thought on positive psychology.
However, the book seems to be a precursor, an introductory course on Seneca without many original thoughts of the authors. It's a great book for people who don't like philosophy heavy books but would still like to be in touch with philosophy.
I recommend it to anyone looking for a pop psychology book that has little to do with positive psychology and gives you a reason to happily complain!

It was a very information and honest. I liked it but there isn't much to say you just need to read it and decide if its a live it.

Stand Firm is a quick, funny and enjoyable read. Svend Brinkmann has written an anti self help book in the tried and true seven steps method. He explains why self improvement and inward focus isn’t helpful to anyone in the long run. Using the philosophy of Stoicism he explains alternative approaches to life. His edgy chapter titles are - Cut out the navel gazing; focus on the negative; put on your No hat; suppress your feelings; sack your coach; read a novel; dwell on the past. Put in perspective they are all very sensible ideas. The appendix on stoicism is really interesting too.

Takes on a different spin to other self help books. It was an interesting and informative book

Interesting book, with recognition from the author of the conflicting nature of a book telling us to reject self help. Some musings on the nature of the world, with its constant need to change, develop and improve ourselves and how a simple 'no' might affect those around us. Sometimes seems a bit moany and the author seems to have an issue with counselling and life coaching in particular which grated slightly, and doesn't take into account the ways these things can help people. He rejects introspection and what he calls 'navel gazing' quite heavily!

This was not the book for me at all, but it was excellently written. Basically, Stand Firm is an application of Stoic philosophy to the modern era. It is serious anti-self help as opposed to the joke-y anti-self help of Sara Knight.

Brinkmann provides seven steps that outline his plan to apply Stoicism to your life and free yourself from the (as he sees it) needless, endless introspection and self improvement that plagues modern society.

I guess I figured out that I'm not a Stoic. Not a huge surprise there, but if you think that you may be or you're just generally interested in Stoic philosophy- you should read this book.