Life Worth Living

A Guide to What Matters Most

By: Miroslav Volf, Matthew Croasmun, Ryan McAnnally-Linz

Narrated by: Kelly Corrigan, Maria Shriver

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

"Life Worth Living is transcendent. A collection of wisdom punctuated by questions of great consequence, this is the only book you need to find your way from where you are to where you are called to be."
--Kelly Corrigan, NYT bestselling author, host of Kelly Corrigan Wonders and PBS’s Tell Me More

Based on the Yale class, a guide to defining and then creating a flourishing life, and answering one of life’s most pressing questions: how are we to live?

What makes a good life? The question is inherent to the human condition, asked by people across generations, professions, and social classes, and addressed by all schools of philosophy and religions. This search for meaning, as Yale faculty Miroslav Volf, Matthew Croasmun, and Ryan McAnnally-Linz argue, is at the crux of a crisis that is facing Western culture, a crisis that, they propose, can be ameliorated by searching, in one’s own life, for the underlying truth.

In A Life Worth Living, named after its authors’ highly sought-after undergraduate course, Volf, Croasmun, and McAnnally-Linz chart out this question, providing readers with jumping-off points, road maps, and habits of reflection for figuring out where their lives hold meaning and where things need to change.

Drawing from the major world religions and from impressively truthful and courageous secular figures, A Life Worth Living is a guide to life’s most pressing question, the one asked of all of us: How are we to live?


* This audiobook edition includes an accompanying PDF that contains interactive exercises.

Critic reviews

“Life Worth Living is an essential invitation to creating a full and integrity-driven life centered around what matters most to you.”
--Maria Shriver

"This instant New York Times best seller is based on Yale’s popular undergrad class on the age-old question of the meaning of life…. Students have called the class life-changing, and readers who experience this book’s wisdom and new perspectives should feel the same way."
--New York Post

“A must-read for any age.”
--Booklist, starred review

"Life Worth Living is an essential roadmap for anyone who's ever wondered about how to live the good life. It's the accessible crash course we all need to explore the big questions that lead to a happier, more morally satisfying life."
--Laurie Santos, Chandrika and Ranjan Tandon Professor of Psychology at Yale University and host of The Happiness Lab podcast

"Three great scholars tackling the most important of Questions! This book is worth rolling up your sleeves, saying your prayers, and diving into what could be quite possibly the most important work you ever do. Whether on your own or with a small group, make this book a priority."
--The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church and author of Love is the Way and The Power of Love

"This valuable book is full of the wisdom of many minds and cultures on essential questions about selfhood, notably, how the self is to be understood, disciplined and enjoyed, and how it can discover an integrity that will be expressed in a good life. The questions are ancient, but the book is absolutely timely."
-- Marilynne Robinson, Pulitzer Prize winning author of Gilead and Housekeeping

"The authors provide meaningful reflection and jumping-off points to better discover the aspects of your life that make it good."
--Reader's Digest, named one of "26 Best Inspirational Books That Are Sure to Change Your Life"

Fantastic book!

Compels us to face life’s deepest questions while sharing answers to these questions which have been provided by various religious and philosophical traditions.

Bringing it all together

I enjoyed how the authors brought together different religions and philosophies to help discern one's own view. I also appreciate stories that I can visualize to help me relate.

An Existentialist Guide to Searching for Meaning

I liked the use of examples from philosophy, spirituality, history of civilization. I appreciated the description of different (sometimes opposing) doctrines. The non-directive, supportive tone of the book encourages both reflexive and reflective approaches towards the questions under observation. A comprehensive view of the big themes of life.

Enlightening and evolving your mind

Good read and food for thought, worth reading again to digest and implement. should be mandatory read for high school seniors and college freshmen

Thought-provoking and timely read

This book was deeply thought provoking and impactful! The reader was excellent, and the writers were able to convey complex ideas in accessible and engaging ways.

A must-read / listen for EVERYONE

A beautiful book full of thought-provoking questions read by one of my favorite voices. Thanks to all who contributed to this important book — I plan to re-listen every few months as part of my Examen practice.

Basic overview of human flourishing

This is a multi-religious overview of what different schools of thought believe makes for “a good life”. Not bad, not amazing but a good foundational view of morality & human flourishing.

Inspiring practical wisdom

This book challenges you to think. The authors do not pretend to have the answer nor do they give you a list of magical things to do. They are honest in trying to equip you with the knowledge you need to answer the question yourself.

awaiting insight that I didn't consider important

excellent book, it will be very helpful in future endeavors. this book provides a great opportunity for future growth and actions.

Great narration

Love the questions posed at the end of the sections to allow you to reflect on the material