Life Is in the Transitions

Mastering Change at Any Age

By: Bruce Feiler

Narrated by: Bruce Feiler

A New York Times Best Seller!

A pioneering and timely study of how to navigate life's biggest transitions with meaning, purpose, and skill

Bruce Feiler, author of the New York Times best sellers The Secrets of Happy Families and Council of Dads, has long explored the stories that give our lives meaning. Galvanized by a personal crisis, he spent the last few years crisscrossing the country, collecting hundreds of life stories in all 50 states from Americans who’d been through major life changes - from losing jobs to losing loved ones; from changing careers to changing relationships; from getting sober to getting healthy to simply looking for a fresh start. He then spent a year coding these stories, identifying patterns and takeaways that can help all of us survive and thrive in times of change.

What Feiler discovered was a world in which transitions are becoming more plentiful and mastering the skills to manage them is more urgent for all of us. The idea that we’ll have one job, one relationship, one source of happiness is hopelessly outdated. We all feel unnerved by this upheaval. We’re concerned that our lives are not what we expected, that we’ve veered off course, living life out of order. But we’re not alone.

Life Is in the Transitions introduces the fresh, illuminating vision of the nonlinear life, in which each of us faces dozens of disruptors. One in 10 of those becomes what Feiler calls a lifequake, a massive change that leads to a life transition. The average length of these transitions is five years. The upshot: We all spend half our lives in this unsettled state. You or someone you know is going through one now.

The most exciting thing Feiler identified is a powerful new tool kit for navigating these pivotal times. Drawing on his extraordinary trove of insights, he lays out specific strategies each of us can use to reimagine and rebuild our lives, often stronger than before.

From a master storyteller with an essential message, Life Is in the Transitions can move listeners of any age to think deeply about times of change and how to transform them into periods of creativity and growth.

©2020 Bruce Feiler (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"This is a remarkably poignant read about the pivotal moments in our lives. Bruce Feiler gets to the heart of how turning points shape us - and how we can shape them. The wisdom and stories in this book will change the way you tell your own story." (Adam Grant, best-selling author of Originals and Give and Take)

"Crammed with cutting-edge research and compelling real-world examples, Life Is in the Transitions provides a framework of striking originality that explodes with thought-provoking insights. It has profound implications for how we view and handle the transitions - voluntary and involuntary - that increasingly disrupt our lives. And it's one of the rare books that is a pleasure to read in the moment and impossible to forget once you’ve finished the last page." (Gretchen Rubin, best-selling author of The Happiness Project and The Four Tendencies)

"I don't know what’s more astonishing, the range of stories Bruce Feiler has found in asking people about their lives, or the wisdom he extracts from them. There is no more powerful reminder that the stories we inherit define success - and that definition constantly needs updating. This beautiful book is an indispensable guide to accepting change - as it really is, rather than what it’s supposed to be - and becoming who we really are." (Charles Duhigg, author of best sellers The Power of Habit and Smarter Faster Better)

Incredible

Truly enjoyed listening to this book and learning from the stories included in the book. I have learned many lessons that I’m going to implement in my life and how I think about life’s transitions.

Putting words to common experiences

It was helpful to be able to categorize and compare the experiences of people who have come through significant transitions, and how they processed it.

Regardless of the transition you or someone you love is going through it’s worth the read.

Life is in the transition it’s a great read for anyone who either themselves or someone they love is going through life changes. it helped remind me that we’re only alone if we choose to be and life is richer when you share your story.

Storyworth and Life is in the Transitions

I signed up for Storyworth before reading Life is in the Transitions. The book inspires me to take more control over my weekly entries, focusing on ways challenges in my life have led to positive outcomes. The book also emphasizes ways my stories are for me as much as they are for my progeny. It is a great book for all thoughtful adults.

Touched my heart and lends shape to my life.

I deeply love love this book. It resonated with me in a way few other books have. I will be listening to it again and again.
Thank you Bruce. I'm grateful for what you have brought to the world.

Wow small world

A friend recommended I read this book while I was in the middle of a pretty significant series of transitions. Unbeknownst to me and her, I actually knew two of the people Bruce interviewed. I know their story & I know their outcomes. The two people interviewed are two people who molded me into who I am today. Incredible how a random author touched me so deeply by reminding me of what makes me me. I hope you find something in this book as well. We are all going through transitions. And to embrace that growth and honor the sadness will allow us each to be the best human we can be.

This book is truly a phenomenal labor of love.

Prepare for a continental plate level paradigm shift as it relates to your perspective on life. On each of our journeys we will regularly need to deploy an anchor. There is a process to do this properly so it will hold fast whether through the night, rough weather or catastrophic storm. The equivalent of this insight for adaptation and survival in the current environment is provided in Mr. Feiler’s book.

Stunningly simply yet profound

I came across Bruce recently in a podcast interview, which directed me to this book. This is essential reading for anyone enduring a ‘life-quake’ (me) and needing the hope, encouragement and loving direction-setting in becoming the hero of their next chapter. Eternal gratitude for the gift of Bruce’s own story and his skill in creating community through the stories of others.

Yes

Great to know you’re not alone in these things and how to have an organized approach to the chaos.

A book we all need to hear!

This book surpassed my expectations. Riveting stories of trauma, loss and resilience inspire and comfort.