Lost in Thought

The Hidden Pleasures of an Intellectual Life

By: Zena Hitz

Narrated by: Emily Ellet

Length: 7 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

In an overloaded, superficial, technological world, in which almost everything and everybody is judged by its usefulness, where can we turn for escape, lasting pleasure, contemplation, or connection to others? While many forms of leisure meet these needs, Zena Hitz writes, few experiences are so fulfilling as the inner life, whether that of a bookworm, an amateur astronomer, a birdwatcher, or someone who takes a deep interest in one of countless other subjects. Drawing on inspiring examples, from Socrates and Augustine to Malcolm X and Elena Ferrante, and from films to Hitz's own experiences as someone who walked away from elite university life in search of greater fulfillment, Lost in Thought is a passionate and timely reminder that a rich life is a life rich in thought.

Today, when even the humanities are often defended only for their economic or political usefulness, Hitz says our intellectual lives are valuable not despite but because of their practical uselessness. And while anyone can have an intellectual life, she encourages academics in particular to get back in touch with the desire to learn for its own sake and calls on universities to return to the person-to-person transmission of the habits of mind and heart that bring out the best in us.

©2020 Princeton University Press (P)2020 Tantor

Necessary for Western Culture

I love the defense of the intellectual life and it’s articulation. This book helps me to more fully live my humanity, and to truly seek wisdom for its own sake.

Absolutely Compelling

I have rarely read a book that so captivated my mind and my heart as this one. Even at my advanced age of 76 it is life changing.

What is lost, in this book is found

Thoughtful and inspiring. It trace a path for the love of learning toward an intellectual life that moves our minds and hearts through deep, simple things (like books).

Splendid

Hitz offers an apologia for the intellectual life that is serious without being pedantic. A real achievement.

INCREDIBLE

I absolutely could not put this book down. I read approximately 50 or more books a year, mostly in the realm of human behavior and psychology, philosophy and personal development, communications etc, etc. Zena gives incredible perspectives and knowledge about learning and thought, thinking, and the intellectual life that I never ever could have fathomed. Her work is appreciated so much and this book was absolutely incredible. Thank you Zena. Thank you for teaching us how the systems for learning are starting to tear and how education and the intellectual life is being forced into learning for fame and fortune instead of for humanity. ❤️🫂

Wow!!!

I am not a philosopher and don’t really enjoy getting lost in metaphysical/spiritual thought. But I love, love, love reading and learning. This book put words to why it is so valuable to learn for the sake of learning itself (and to read fiction for the sake of reading itself, enjoy music for the music itself, etc etc), how much it enriches our experience of life and connection with others. I did not expect much from this book, but I loved it. It will be the rare book I almost certainly read again within a year of reading it the first time.

Wonderful

such a wonderful, thoughtful book about the value of learning and engaging with the world around us?

Outstanding

A profound andvibrant reflection on the intellectual and inner life, illuminated with historical and literary examples and inspired by the author’s life,