Description

Provocative and eye-opening, Why We Need Love is one of three slim selections of philosophical texts and excerpts—along with Why We Fight and Why Our Decisions Don’t Matter—introduced and contextualized by acclaimed author Simon Van Booy (Love Begins in Winter, The Secret Lives of People in Love).


This curated collection brings together centuries of wisdom on the nature of love:


  • A Philosophy of Love: An accessible introduction to one of life's most profound questions, drawing on the wisdom of philosophers from Erich Fromm to Thich Nhat Hanh.
  • Timeless Stories & Poems: A literary anthology featuring classic works from Shakespeare, George Eliot, James Joyce, Emily Dickinson, and O. Henry.
  • Guidance for Modern Life: Editor Simon Van Booy provides insightful introductions and context to help readers apply these age-old ideas to their own relationships.
  • A Curated Collection: From the tragic romance of Romeo and Juliet to the surprising sacrifice in "The Gift of the Magi," discover a diverse selection of texts that explore love in all its forms.

About the author(s)

Simon Van Booy is the author of two novels and two collections of short stories, including The Secret Lives of People in Love and Love Begins in Winter, which won the Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award. He is the editor of three philosophy books and has written for The New York Times, The Guardian, NPR, and the BBC. His work has been translated into fourteen languages. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and daughter.

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