Consume this book slowly, contemplatively. When you reach the end, return to the beginning and start again, this time with fresh eyes and a more open mind. If you allow it, this book will affect in many positive ways leading to greater peace and easy in your daily pursuits.

As someone who is currently completing a MA in ethical and political philosophy I found this book arduous, pompous, and in parts quite harsh. Whilst it is reasonably interesting it is very much (as is written at the start) suited to a particular person (i.e someone like the author). Overall I found it quite repetitive. Just read Marcus Aurelius' Meditations instead.

This book should in theory be inspiring, but sadly for me there are many issues I have with this book. First of all to deal with the formatting. You are faced with blocks of text with no paragraphing.

It is a difficult book to read from start through to finish, simply because it just has no natural breaks or chapter titles to make it more readable and accessible. If it's to be a reference style of book it's difficult to find anything save for your own bookmarking.

Secondly, on the face of it the points made do accurately reflect the wonderfully important principles of stoicism. It starts promisingly. However, the problem is that some messages are delivered with a hard, cold brutality that any comfort which can be taken from adopting a stoic viewpoint on life's foibles is lost making me quite frankly feel like crap.

The intro made me think this is a book which is going to be important to me. 25% in I felt this author has never had to interact with any sufferers of serious issues. You know, real life.

Examples:
The one I have the greatest issue with. On the subject of what viewpoint to take if a loved one commits suicide, the sage advice is, and I quote sections from this block of text: "...This is something that happens"."...All the other suicides were simply not related to you. You did not pay them any particular mind…""...What is your family to them. What is theirs to you?""...Hypocrisy was the source of your outrage, was it not?""...How long will you allow yourself to mourn? What good does the continuation of this behaviour and state of mind do for yourself…?"

I am merely a lay-person. But in my humble opinion some of the advice might be a little too blunt for someone in a vulnerable state having suffered such a bereavement, looking for inspiration on how to handle their trauma. Maybe that's just me.

On nagging pains:

"Nagging pains are not a legitimate reason for complaint - even when the whining is confined to your own consciousness"
"How weak are you that aches and twinges distract you from your purpose?"
"You are no longer a child. Stop crying like one".

Seems a bit too brutal speaking to someone on painkillers trying to courageously move through life managing their chronic pain. The message seems to be so what if you're having a bad pain day. You're not a kid, grow up!

Such a shame - it could have been excellent, and it will be great for some, as it's full of important messages vital to everyone dealing with this life thing. But for me it is simply too harsh.

I am a stoic by philosophy. But this book does an incredible disservice to the system of belief. Meditations on Self-Discipline and Failure: A Bro's Guide to Stoicism.