Adam Sandel revives one of the oldest philosophical questions: What constitutes a good life? Drawing on thinkers ancient and modern, as well as his own experience as a record-setting athlete, he argues that fulfillment lies not in achieving goals but in forging a life journey that enables us to see our struggles and triumphs as an integrated whole.

Here, at last, is a book about what happiness really means, and why it often eludes us in our stressed-out, always-on lives. Adam Sandel, a young philosopher with wisdom beyond his years, ranges from Socrates to popular culture to show that happiness is not about piling up achievements but about living life as a journey, in harmony with nature and in the company of friends.

Happiness in Action points the way to a deeper life. In this spirited and humane book, Adam Sandel shows that happiness does not lie in a string of accomplishments, but in attending to the moments that unfold as we are absorbed in meaningful activities, and forging from these moments the narrative coherence of our lives.

Adam Sandel’s book will help bring philosophy back to the place it once held—as a central pursuit whose value is open to all. His philosophical exposition unwinds itself with grace and clarity, giving readers a new and richer understanding of what it means to live for the journey.

A remarkable book. It addresses an omnipresent and vexing subject—how to live a fulfilling life—with verve, creativity, and wisdom. Adam Sandel’s eloquent prescription bristles with insights drawn from deep study and fearless reflection. I was surprised, enthralled, instructed, and elevated as I read.

Proposes that fulfillment comes not from racking up successes, but from losing ourselves in activities that we find meaningful…Offers much to ponder; Sandel’s critiques of technology and its effects on our judgment and agency are particularly resonant.

Adam Sandel brings learning, wisdom, and clarity to age-old questions about how to live a life of happiness and meaning. At once immersed in the insights from classical Western thinkers and alert to his own experiences and challenges, Sandel offers perspective and consolation relevant to our challenging times, and perhaps, to any age.

Drawing on his own experiences, Sandel makes philosophy accessible for readers who, in their own infinitely various ways, struggle with the tension between goal-oriented striving and the embrace of life as a journey.

Through thoughtful engagement with ancient philosophy, Sandel proves there are still fresh arguments to be made about how to live a fulfilling life. Falling somewhere between an erudite self-help manual and an accessible philosophical treatise, this provides plenty to ponder.

Adam Sandel’s book reclaims for philosophy what has recently been captured by the vast self-help literature: the question of how to live a good and worthy life. Sandel offers a compelling critique of goal-driven activity and offers a moving alternative that emphasizes the virtues of self-possession, friendship, and engagement with nature. Written with great clarity in a wonderfully compelling manner, this exquisite work engages the vital questions of how to live without jargon and yet with depth and subtlety.

Adam Adatto Sandel is a philosopher, Guinness World Record holder for Most Pull-Ups in One Minute, and an award-winning teacher. Author of the critically acclaimed book The Place of Prejudice: A Case for Reasoning within the World, Sandel has taught at Harvard University and is currently an assistant district attorney in Brooklyn.