You Don't Have to Do It Alone

The Power of Friendship

By: Mark Nepo

Narrated by: Mark Nepo

A celebration of friendship and community from bestselling author Mark Nepo

In this book, New York Times bestselling author Mark Nepo turns his attention to the value of community, offering another insightful and inspiring take on our shared human experience. You Don’t Have to Do It Alone is an earnest exploration and joyous affirmation of one of the most important aspects of being human: friendship.

Sharing examples from history, mythology, and his own life, Mark unravels the nuances of close friendships, and reveals how a true friend can be the key to our own aliveness―because only in the presence of unconditional love can we feel safe enough to be who we truly are. Journal prompts and thought-provoking quotes from notable philosophers enhance Mark’s reflections, providing readers with the tools necessary to understand and cultivate the friendships in their own lives.

Mark Nepo explores all that it takes to love another and be loved, ultimately showing that―despite what we’ve been taught―you don’t have to do it alone.

©2024 Mark Nepo (P)2024 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"'If you are moved.' That is how my friend, Mark Nepo, asked if I would want to make a statement about his…book about friendship. I am moved by Mark Nepo. I am moved by his words and ideas. I am moved by my friendships that nourish me. Friendship is the music of my life. Like the lyrics of any great, old song, when I connect with a friend, regardless of the time separated, I fall right into the rhythm and memory of intimacy and sharing and I am always better for it. Mark explores this in the way that only Mark Nepo can. Intricate yet understandable. Sustained and yet immediate. The shared sight of each other’s souls. Friendship, beautiful friendship."—Jamie Lee Curtis, actress and producer

"Just as we often take the air we breathe for granted, so too can we forget how miraculous friendships can be. In this deeply insightful book, Mark Nepo shows us how to develop and cultivate these crucial relationships. We are all better people for reading Mark's work, and in this wise guide to platonic love, he has written about one of the most important subjects yet."—Arianna Huffington, founder & CEO of Thrive Global

"Mark Nepo is one of our most gifted poets, essayists, and spiritual guides. His vulnerable, hopeful and beautifully-written books have made him feel like a soul friend to millions who’ve never met him. As one who’s had the privilege of a long-time friendship with Mark, I can attest that friendship is not just another topic for him: it’s the fabric of his life, a fabric of mutual support and blessing with people near and far. Now he’s written a book that will help us deepen the friendships on which we depend. Amid the challenges of being fully human in our era, how reassuring to be reminded that we don’t have to do it alone!"—Parker J. Palmer, author of On the Brink of Everything, Let Your Life Speak, and Healing the Heart of Democracy