Humanly Possible

The great humanist experiment in living

By Sarah Bakewell | Publisher: Random House

About the book

The bestselling, prizewinning author of How to Live and At the Existentialist Café explores the great tradition of humanist writers, thinkers, scientists and artists, all trying to understand what it means to be truly human.

*** THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER *** A BARACK OBAMA BOOK OF THE YEAR ***

'I can't imagine a better history' PHILIP PULLMAN * 'Fascinating, moving, funny' OLIVER BURKEMAN

If you are reading this, you may already be a humanist. Even if you don't know it.

Do you love literature and the arts? Do you have a strong moral compass despite not being formally religious? Do you simply believe that individual lives are more important than grand political visions? If any of these apply, you are part of a long tradition of humanist thought.

In Humanly Possible Sarah Bakewell asks what humanism is and why it has flourished for so long. By introducing us to the adventurous lives and ideas of famous humanists through 700 years of history, she shows how the humanist values that helped steer us through dark times in the past are just as urgently needed in our world today.

‘An epic, spine-tingling and persuasive work of history’ Daily Telegraph

‘As she romps through the centuries, readers will feel assured that they are in the company of a gifted guide’ The Economist

Editions of Humanly Possible

Paperback
ISBN 9781529924626
EBook
ISBN 9781473548138
AudioStreaming
ISBN 9781529902150

Read an Excerpt

The bestselling, prizewinning author of How to Live and At the Existentialist Café explores the great tradition of humanist writers, thinkers, scientists and artists, all trying to understand what it means to be truly human.

*** THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER *** A BARACK OBAMA BOOK OF THE YEAR ***

'I can't imagine a better history' PHILIP PULLMAN * 'Fascinating, moving, funny' OLIVER BURKEMAN

If you are reading this, you may already be a humanist. Even if you don't know it.

Do you love literature and the arts? Do you have a strong moral compass despite not being formally religious? Do you simply believe that individual lives are more important than grand political visions? If any of these apply, you are part of a long tradition of humanist thought.

In Humanly Possible Sarah Bakewell asks what humanism is and why it has flourished for so long. By introducing us to the adventurous lives and ideas of famous humanists through 700 years of history, she shows how the humanist values that helped steer us through dark times in the past are just as urgently needed in our world today.

‘An epic, spine-tingling and persuasive work of history’ Daily Telegraph

‘As she romps through the centuries, readers will feel assured that they are in the company of a gifted guide’ The Economist

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Humanly Possible about?

The bestselling, prizewinning author of How to Live and At the Existentialist Café explores the great tradition of humanist writers, thinkers, scientists and artists, all trying to understand what it means to be truly human.

*** THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER *** A BARACK OBAMA BOOK OF THE YEAR ***

'I can't imagine a better history' PHILIP PULLMAN * 'Fascinating, moving, funny' OLIVER BURKEMAN

If you are reading this, you may already be a humanist. Even if you don't know it.

Do you love literature and the arts? Do you have a strong moral compass despite not being formally religious? Do you simply believe that individual lives are more important than grand political visions? If any of these apply, you are part of a long tradition of humanist thought.

In Humanly Possible Sarah Bakewell asks what humanism is and why it has flourished for so long. By introducing us to the adventurous lives and ideas of famous humanists through 700 years of history, she shows how the humanist values that helped steer us through dark times in the past are just as urgently needed in our world today.

‘An epic, spine-tingling and persuasive work of history’ Daily Telegraph

‘As she romps through the centuries, readers will feel assured that they are in the company of a gifted guide’ The Economist

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Humanly Possible?

Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Biography and non-fiction prose > Biography: general > Biography: historical, political and military

Where can I read a sample of Humanly Possible?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781529924626

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Humanly Possible?

Sarah Bakewell

Who is the Publisher of the book Humanly Possible?

Random House

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Humanly Possible is available as paperback(ISBN 9781529924626) and ebook(ISBN 9781473548138) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9781529902150)

Where can I buy Humanly Possible online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy Humanly Possible from below

Where can I buy Humanly Possible?