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The Hedonism Handbook: Mastering The Lost Arts Of Leisure And Pleasure | 
 enlarge | Author: Michael Flocker
Publisher: Da Capo Press
Category: Book
List Price: $12.95
Buy Used: $0.01
You Save: $12.94 (100%)
New (37) Used (60) from $0.01
Avg. Customer Rating:  18 reviews
Sales Rank: 296511
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 208
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5 x 0.7
ISBN: 0306814145
Dewey Decimal Number: 171.4
EAN: 9780306814143
ASIN: 0306814145
Publication Date: October 12, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
In the age of Oprah, Dr. Phil, and countless other self-help disciplinarians, indulging in any kind of pleasurable pastime is on the brink of extinction. But it's not too late to revive those lost pleasures that make life worth living. The Hedonism Handbook can help put the three-martini lunch, the baguette with real butter, the deep tan, the unfiltered cigarette, or the simple act of lying in a hammock under the stars back within our grasp. A tongue-in-cheek, satirical guide to the "good" life, The Hedonism Handbook will help us reclaim it all.With his characteristic wit, author Michael Flocker combines humorous reviews of historical excesses, suggestions for everyday indulgences, lists of hedonistic icons with famous quotes and earnest warnings about the perils of structured living. Made up of ten worldly wise chapters arranged to form a journey for the reader-a path from the straight-and-narrow into wide-open fields of frivolity-The Hedonism Handbook will help readers master the lost arts of leisure and pleasure. It provides an entertaining, yet (if you're not careful), life-changing read.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 13 more reviews...
 Axiology For Fun April 9, 2008
Perfect timing. The word "hedonism" has become a pejorative, despite the axiom of hedonism being self-evident: Pursue the most-pleasant, avoid the least-pleasant (pleasure/pain). Without diving into the philosophical underpinnings from Epicurus, Hume, Smith, Hilliard, etc., this charming book uses "case" examples, "stereotypes" if you will, to illustrate how a disciple of Epicurus would approach hedonism, often eudaimonistically, occasionally utilitarian, but without all the technical language. It's a fun book for taking a very serious subject and appreciating it through many different lenses.
Of course, the notion that pleasure is biologically normal and pleasant may strike some Victorians and Puritans as contrary to the gods' creeds. But the pleasant is not only our natural endowment, and our motivation in making practical choices, but it is tempered with reason, such that the pleasant is not synonymous with the "hedonic treadmill." Religious fanatics will find many reasons to avoid this book, the most obvious being it exposes their lies.
The author avoids technical jargon, preferring humor and anecdotes, which is why the book is both fun and didactic. And while not explicit, we also choose for reasons above and beyond the "most pleasant," including for the sake of "excellence" and "utility." But, even excellence and utility are grounded in the axiom of hedonism. We always choose what seems to us the most pleasant. And discovering that our initial "choice" was not perhaps an "excellent" or "useful" choice is part of the book's charms.
 A few well-worded platitudes November 20, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I found this book easy to read, but didn't find many insights in it. Although clear, the style was more flip than witty. The book design is attractive, but I appreciate larger type more than wide margins. I bought it for one cent (plus $3.99 shipping and handling) and agree that the price was fair.
 Properly Balanced... November 8, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Properly balanced with healthy lifestlyes and responsibilities, pure hedonistic pleasures have the potential to add many great personal experiences in life. Excluding any illegal activities, I highly recommended exploring many pleasureable activities covered in this book.
It takes an open mind to clear negative overtones associated with the "hedonistic" concept from Greece. I feel the pure form has wonderful opportunities when properly practiced - balanced with all responsibilities.
Eye opening reading September 10, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book really opened my eyes to the leisure and pleasure I was missing in life. Most people assiocate Hedonism with orgies. Not the case. I let a friend borrow this book and she miss placed it. I enjoyed it so much that this is the second time I purchased it. If you think work and money are the only things in life then you MUST get this book. Stop and Smell the roses.
a cure against the rat race ?? May 13, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
In particular interesting book for people who work 60h+ per week and have no fun. Or people feeling in a mid life crysis. A gem of a book. Some highlights;
o our obsession with dieting (enjoy food, dress well...feel well)
o the mad race about being number one (yes, there are alternatives)
o review on your deadbed (can be a wake up call for some)
Well written and always with 'littel slap on the head' remarks like; if i want it it must be right or life is short, so i must dress well.
I'm finishing now and enjoy with my partner some care-free time, wine, s... and a cigarette ;-)
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