How to be Human: The Manual by Ruby Wax, with a neuroscientist and a monk, out today
From the Number one bestselling author of Sane New World and A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled, RUBY WAX, comes a major new book.
Penguin Life ● 25 January 2018 ● £14.99 hardback
“Ready to laugh and cry as you dive deeply into what it means to be human? Ruby Wax and her neurologist and meditating monk colleagues provide us with a science-informed, practical, and humorous guide that is as hysterical as it is profound. A magnificent blending of entertainment and education into the nature of thoughts, feelings, and identity.”
UCLA School of Medicine and author of Mind: A Journey to the Heart of Being Human
It took us 4 billion years to evolve to where we are now. No question, anyone reading this has won the ‘Evolutionary Hunger Games’ by the fact you’re on all 2’s and not some fossil. This should make us all the happiest species alive - most of us aren’t, what’s gone wrong? We’ve started treating ourselves like machines and less like humans. We’re so used to upgrading things like our iPhones; as soon as the new one comes out, we don’t think twice, we dump it. (Many people I know are now on iWife4 or iHusband8, the motto being, if it’s new, it’s better.)
We can’t stop the future from arriving, no matter what drugs we’re on. But even if nearly every part of us becomes robotic, we’ll still, fingers crossed, have our minds, which, hopefully, we’ll be able use for things like compassion, rather than chasing what’s ‘better’ and if we can do that we’re on the yellow brick road to happiness.
I wrote this book with a little help from a monk, who explains how the mind works, also gives some mindfulness exercises, and a neuroscientist who explains where everything that makes us ‘us’ can be found in the brain. How to be Human is the only manual you’ll need to help you upgrade your mind as much as you’ve upgraded your iPhone.
“‘Ruby Wax has spent a lifetime trying to be human.... with this book, she’s so very nearly there...’”
“As I expected it’s funny and thoroughly readable but what I hadn’t expected was that it would change the way I think about how I think. Remarkable work from Miss Wax. ”
“Beautifully fused neurology and spirituality …all other books will become defunct.
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“It’s a lifeline…wise, practical and funny, a handbook for everyone alive.”
“This marvellous book is readable, inspirational and engaging.”
About Ruby Wax
Ruby Wax is a successful comedian, TV writer and performer of over 25 years. Ruby additionally holds a Master’s degree in Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy from Oxford University, and was awarded an OBE in 2015 for her services to mental health. She is the author of books Sane New World and A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled, and has toured all over the world with the accompanying one-woman shows. Both books have reached the number one spot on the Sunday Times bestsellers list. In November 2017, she was announced as the president of the UK’s leading relationship support charity Relate.
For further information, to discuss interview or to request a review copy, please contact Annabel Robinson or Sophie Goodfellow at FMcM on 020 7405 7422 or email annabelr@fmcm.co.uk / sophieg@fmcm.co.uk
