De Botton, Alain

Takes the wisdom of six great philosophers and applies it to six problems: Socrates for unpopularity, Epicurus for being short on money, Seneca for frustration, Montaigne for inadequacy, Schopenhauer for a broken heart, and Nietzsche for envy and difficulty in general.

Explores how one's emotions are influenced by their surroundings, arguing that architecture's ultimate goal is to create buildings that remind people of their full potential and help them enjoy life to its fullest.

Examines status anxiety, explaining why so many people are concerned with how others see them and whether they are viewed as a success or failure, and discussing current treatment options for the disorder.