See what the buzz is all about and find out what people have been saying about the book! Take a look below for a featured sample of our best articles, reviews, reader comments, and sound clips from radio shows.
Featured Selections
"Self-help always becomes even more fascinating when it’s backed by a little scholarship. In ‘How Philosophy Can Save Your Life: 10 Ideas That Matter Most,’ Marietta McCarty assistant professor of philosophy at Piedmont Virginia Community College and best-selling author of “Little Big Minds: Sharing Philosophy with Kids’ reveals how studying the greatest thinkers of our time can change your life for the better.
McCarty divides her book into 10 chapters, each dealing with one of the big ideas she feels are necessary for a good life: simplicity, communication, perspective, flexibility, empathy, individuality, belonging, serenity, possibility, and joy. Full of personal anecdotes, each chapter explores the topic at hand with the help of two or more philosophers.
For instance, when it comes to perspective, you can broaden yours by taking a tip from Mary Wollstonecraft, who saw past the mores of her society and refused to limit herself to conventional women’s roles. Instead of being wary of change, you can learn to be flexible, embracing the new and living in the now as Alan Watts advised.
McCarty is spirited and funny, and she gives you help in implementing all you’re learning by providing thoughtful discussion questions, and even a little homework under amusing topic headlines like Listen and Hum, Recite and Write, Read and Talk, Watch and Reflect, and Get Up and Do. Want to find serenity in your life? Get out and garden. Need a new appreciation of joy? Go to a place ‘that makes your heart sing’ or listen to Vivaldi’s ‘The Four Seasons’ to reflect on how each season is musically exhilarating.
McCarty’s devotion to philosophy is obvious, and her tone is so conversational that it’s nearly impossible not to get enthusiastic too. ‘Entertaining new ideas can transform lifestyles’ she says, and this book — push-ups for your mind — most definitely makes you see and understand your world and yourself differently."
Carolyn Leavitt, Boston Sunday Globe. December 27, 2009
"If your book club likes to talk about ideas more than plotlines, this optimistic and pragmatic how-to should be next on your list. In each of 10 chapters, McCarty explains a ‘big idea,’ such as Flexibility or Possibility, then offers discussion questions and meditative exercises (spend time with water to understand Serenity). The 4 philosophers she quotes and the artists whose works she urges you to sample are surprisingly diverse. Cat Power has as much to offer as Camus. McCarty’s enthusiasm for human achievement and potential is contagious. She encourages fun and sociable self- improvement—enlightenment for the yoga-averse. – Sonya Sobieski."
Psychology Today. February 1, 2010
"As the Accidental Naturalist, I couldn't resist writing about this particular award recently given to my cousin, Marietta McCarty, for her new book How Philosophy Can Save Your Life: 10 Ideas That Matter Most (Tarcher/Penguin, 2009). Since I taught her everything she knows (despite the fact that she is a wee bit older), I share her joy but none of the royalties. This system seems to work for us.
The Nautilus Awards recognizes books and audio books that 'promote spiritual growth, conscious living, and positive social change while at the same time they stimulate the imagination and offer the reader new possibilities for a better life and a better world.' It's a tall order, but my cousin has filled it with her chapters on Simplicity, Communication, Perspective, Flexibility, Empathy, Individuality, Belonging, Serenity, Possibility, and Joy. Each of these concepts is discussed in the context of two different philosphers (Epicurus, Socrates, Martin Luther King, Jr., the Dalai Lama, Albert Camus, Lao Tzu, Rita Maning, Simone de Beauvoir, Alan Watts to name some of the twenty). This is a book to be used, not read and then set on the bedside table. McCarty has included discussion questions, homework (reciting, reading, writing, and other activities), as well as an expansive list of music, poetry, prose, drama, and documentaries to help readers approach each concept from a myriad angles.
In the Perspectives chapter, for instance, McCarty encourages you to listen to Janis Joplin's 'Me and Bobby McGee,' Ella Fitzgerald's 'Don't Fence Me In,' Antonio Estevez' 'The One Who Sang with the Devil,' and Bing Crosby's version of 'Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive.' Does philosophy get any better than this? Could anyone have a cousin with more eclectic taste? What would Plato think?
The living nautilus, by the way, belongs to a family of marine creatures called cephalopods (octopuses and squid are in this family). The nautilis is the only cephalopod species whose bony body structure is externalized as a shell. Because this animal grows into increasing numbers of chambers within its shell, it has become a symbol for expansion and renewal. What a perfect symbol for a philosophy book!"
Maria Mudd Ruth, The Accidental Naturalist Blog. April 28, 2010. Original Blog Post.
May 2010
Central Virginia
Marietta will join host Tom Graham on Virginia Insight on WMRA, National Public Radio. Among other things discussed, Marietta will explain why that new book is titled “How Philosophy Can Save Your Life.”
Listen to a podcast of the broadcast:
March 2010
Charlottesville, VA
Marietta joins the Charlottesville Right Now! with host Coy Barefoot to discuss her new book on 1070 WINA news radio.
Listen to a podcast of the broadcast:
March, 2010
San Antonio, TX
Marietta joins Here & Now with host Dan Skinner to talk about her new book on Texas Public Radio.
Listen to a podcast of the broadcast:
February 2010
Manhattan Beach, CA
Marietta joins the Linda Mackenzie Show, where positive people and radio unite for conversation and guest quesions. To listen to the podcast of the show, click here. The show currently goes to over 3 million listeners in 108 countries with their live stream and 24/7 simulcasting radio partners.
Marietta interviewed on With Good Reason with host Sarah McConnell, Virginia's only statewide public radio program, which will air on public radio stations across Virginia throughout the week.
Marietta interviewed on WAMC's The Roundtable with host Joe Donahue. Click here to listen online now.
"There is a line in the book Hurricane by James Hirsh that sometime you do not find a book, it finds you. Well, your wonderful book How Philosophy Can Save Your Life: 10 Ideas that Matter Most found me and I hope it continues to land on the laps of others looking for the wisdom, inspiration, and wealth of resources contained in it. Each chapter lifts you up with straight-forward simple truth presented in flowing prose laced with gems from ancient and modern philosophers. While all the chapters are great, 'Empathy,' touched me deeply, especially your words: 'Acts of empathy lift our burdens, shining new light on lusterless days. Though we parade about in different bodies, we all know salty tears, anxious hearts, drained spirits, and weary footsteps. Empathy acknowledges this sameness; while it requires a leap out of my life and exposes me to your pain, empathy fine-tunes my heartstrings.' (page 134). This brilliant quote is a just a taste of the richness in the beautifully written treasure."
Frank Riley. Chula Vista, CA.
"I just finished reading How Philosophy Can Save Your Life. I checked it out from my local library and was sad that I had to return it before I'd had time to finish. I checked it out the next day and truly enjoyed every minute reading your book seated at my kitchen table, my favorite spot. I have much to feel gratitude for when I sit there. I can hear wind chimes, and see blue sky, sunshine, and foothills. I can hear the laughter of my children in the next room. You might be able to tell my favorite chapter was Joy, with Empathy a close second. Your book sincerely spoke to me and my heart knows it as the truth. I search for words like yours constantly because I am very prone to getting caught up in the crazy busyness of being mom, wife, schoolteacher etc... I was thrilled to see that you have a book called Little Big Minds. I rarely pay for a book, (my friends endure my frugality :) but I am sure I want to buy that one. Sometimes I am pretty hard on myself as a teacher. I see other teachers and am in awe of their skillfullness with the latest technology or their impressive statistics and graphs, but I know that my gifts are empathy and compassion. I feel so honored to be allowed to guide these seven and eight year olds as they discover how exciting education/school can be. I respect them and teach them to do the same for anyone they encounter, older or younger. I am so excited that I will be able to use Little Big Minds in my classroom. Thank you for such valuable books.
P.S. Another thing I rarely do is give books as gifts because I don't want the recipient to feel obligated to read it, but in this case I can't resist!"
Joan Hartigan. Thousand Oaks, California.
"I was looking in the bookshop for some philosophy books for beginners, and I stumbled across your book. I began reading it this evening and after the first few chapters, I know it is going to be a fantastic book for many people. This is the perfect book for me at this stage of my life. I have been writing a journal in an attempt to find out about myself, and last night before I found your book, I finally found the truth of who I am after all these years. I am not happy with my discovery. I am so happy that I had the good fortune of stumbling onto your book. I certain it is going to help me resolve my personal issues. Thank you."
Teck Low. Perth, Western Australia.
"I just wanted to tell you that I enjoyed the book so much that I decided to translate it into Slovene as a Christmas present for my parents (they don't know that yet, of course). It's been hard: the book is written so beautifully that it made my project more than challenging, I've been working on it since April!) but I am now at the last chapter... can't wait to share it! As a former South Slavic and American Studies student, I know how humanities are not appreciated outside university, considered to be 'a waist of time' just because their primary goal is not making money; so I think it's wonderful how you showed that they can in fact change your life, save it even... and yeah, I'm a reader, and your book is so well-written, not to mention funny, it's a pleasure to read... S hvaležnostjo! [With gratitude!]"
Stina Gorsic. Slovenia.
"So glad to find Marietta McCarty Books on Facebook! And to learn of the books! (Yes, I am out of touch.) My life was literally changed in the late 80's by learning to appreciate philosophy and find a new way to think - courtesy of one Marietta McCarty... at PVCC. Those classes were inspired and fascinating and energizing.
I have been on Amazon this afternoon sending the book to friend's daughter and others of her age in hopes they can share just some of what I did in that classroom. Truly one of my most meaningful educational experiences.
PLEASE continue to speak and teach...I really can't tell you how stabilizing and world-widening it was for me... and it was not just the material... anyone can recite Nietzsche and Kant, but you gave them FIRE!!! I will never forget it. Our classes were combinations of burnouts, preppies, realtors, teens - you name it. And we were all SO passionate about that ONE hour of our day. It made us think, and it made us laugh, and it made us FEEL... and I don't think anyone else could deliver that material like you.
Thank you, Marietta... for what you have shared and continue to share! :)"
Andy Dixon, Ohio.
"I really enjoyed your new book. It seems so simple sometimes, especially when it is articulated so wonderfully, to really know what brings happiness and peace. But people do get lost along the way. I think your book will give a lot of people the courage to make the changes they need to find a better way to live. What a gift to give the world! ... Meanwhile, take care, rock on, keep saving the world a little bit at a time. :)"
Kathryn Tone. Heidelberg, Germany.
"Aloha, Just wanted to commend you on this fantastically written book. I find there are limitless exercises that I have begun utilizing with not only myself, but also as dialogue to encourage growth in my students and perhaps, most importantly to me, as a platform for my girlfriend and I to move beyond superficial levels of understanding and create opportunities for real/true/honest growth. Mahalo nui loa and I hope to at some point contribute thoughts and references to our social collective as elegantly as you have with this book."
Sean Briel, High School Math Teacher. O'ahu, Hawai'i
"Page 296: "Joy is a heart full and a mind purified by gratitude."
That definiton describes what I feel having read the prior 295 pages of your extraordinarily wonderful book. You model the way of the good life by being the writer you are. This is the first book of yours I've read; it won't be the last! Thank You."
The Nautilus Awards recognizes books and audio books that 'promote spiritual growth, conscious living, and positive social change while at the same time they stimulate the imagination and offer the reader new possibilities for a better life and a better world.' It's a tall order, but my cousin has filled it with her chapters on Simplicity, Communication, Perspective, Flexibility, Empathy, Individuality, Belonging, Serenity, Possibility, and Joy. Each of these concepts is discussed in the context of two different philosphers (Epicurus, Socrates, Martin Luther King, Jr., the Dalai Lama, Albert Camus, Lao Tzu, Rita Maning, Simone de Beauvoir, Alan Watts to name some of the twenty). This is a book to be used, not read and then set on the bedside table. McCarty has included discussion questions, homework (reciting, reading, writing, and other activities), as well as an expansive list of music, poetry, prose, drama, and documentaries to help readers approach each concept from a myriad angles. 
