Overview

In the first book to argue for the benefits of boredom, Peter Toohey dispels the myth that it's simply a childish emotion or an existential malaise like Jean-Paul Sartre's nausea. He shows how boredom is, in fact, one of our most common and constructive emotions and is an essential part of the human experience. This informative and entertaining investigation of boredom-what it is and what it isn't, its uses and its dangers-spans more than 3,000 years of history and takes readers through fascinating neurological and psychological theories of emotion, as well as recent scientific investigations, to illustrate its role in our lives. There are Australian aboriginals and bored Romans, Jeffrey Archer and caged cockatoos, Camus and the early Christians, Durer and Degas. Toohey also explores the important role that boredom plays in popular and highbrow culture and how over the centuries it has proven to be a stimulus for art and literature. Toohey shows that boredom is a universal emotion experienced by humans throughout history and he explains its place, and value, in today's world. Boredom: A Lively History is vital reading for anyone interested in what goes on when supposedly nothing happens.

Full Product Details

9780300141108

Table of Contents

Reviews

As for his engaging new book, Toohey needn't worry: Boredom , with its wise insights, is never boring. --Carmela Ciuraru, Boston Globe --Carmela Ciuraru Boston Globe

A lively, eminently readable book. --S./i>--S. Halling Choice

Readers who are willing to meander from science to literature to art and other realms will find themselves engaged. --Nina C./i>--Nina C. Ayoub The Chronicle Review

[Toohey] makes a persuasive case that there are even benefits to boredom, and at the very least this engaging read proffers a temporary antidote to the noonday demon. Kelly McMasters, Newsday --Newsday Kelly McMasters A lively, eminently readable book. S./i>--S. Halling Choice As for his engaging new book, Toohey needn t worry: Boredom, with its wise insights, is never boring. Carmela Ciuraru, Boston Globe --Carmela Ciuraru Boston Globe Highly entertaining. Gordon Pitz, PsycCRITIQUES --Gordon Pitz PsycCRITIQUES Mr. Toohey presents his case with verve. Elizabeth Lowry, Wall Street Journal --Elizabeth Lowry Wall Street Journal Readers who are willing to meander from science to literature to art and other realms will find themselves engaged. Nina C./i>--Nina C. Ayoub The Chronicle Review As for his engaging new book, Toohey needn't worry: Boredom, with its wise insights, is never boring. --Carmela Ciuraru, Boston Globe --Carmela Ciuraru Boston Globe A lively, eminently readable book. --S./i>--S. Halling Choice Highly entertaining. --Gordon Pitz, PsycCRITIQUES --Gordon Pitz PsycCRITIQUES Mr. Toohey presents his case with verve. --Elizabeth Lowry, Wall Street Journal --Elizabeth Lowry Wall Street Journal

Author Information

Peter Toohey is Professor of Greek and Roman Studies at the University of Calgary. His previous books include Melancholy, Love and Time: Boundaries of the Self in Ancient Literature.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available