What's it about? A Brief History of Thought (1996) chronicles the big moments in the history of Western philosophy in a lucid and accessible way – from the Stoicism of classical Greece right through to twentieth-century postmodernism. Not simply a description of abstract ideals, it shows how we can apply the wisdom of the world’s best thinkers to live happier and more meaningful lives. For anyone starting out with philosophy, it’s easy to get disheartened. Incomprehensible jargon, long-winded sentences and a jumble of abstract ideas often obscure precious insights into what it means to be human and how we should live our lives – like trying to admire a beautiful view through a dirty window. But these lessons offer you a sure and simple path through that morass, taking Western thought’s most complex and vital ideas and distilling them into language that everyone can understand. Starting with ancient Greek conceptions of the universe and finishing with the rise of contemporary hu...

What's it about? In a Good Place (2026) explores how the spaces around us quietly shape the people we become. Drawing on psychology, design, and everyday life, it reveals how homes, offices, streets, and public spaces can either nourish or frustrate our need for agency, connection, and a sense of belonging. Space matters more than we often think. Design details can have a huge impact on the course of our lives. If your kitchen drawers always stick and your countertop is too small, cooking never becomes more than a chore. Eventually, takeout wins. A few years later, your food bills are out of control and your jeans fit differently. It can go the other way too. A cool bedroom with blackout curtains can improve sleep for years, lowering stress and reducing the risk of heart disease and depression. The problem is that we rarely notice these effects while they’re happening. Modern life trains us to treat our surroundings as background scenery. We work in noisy offices while pretending...