The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life

Mark Manson

Sep 2016 · HarperAudio · Narrated by Roger Wayne

About this audiobook

#1 New York Times Bestseller • More than 10 million Copies Sold

In this generation-defining self-help guide, a superstar blogger cuts through the crap to show us how to stop trying to be ""positive"" all the time so that we can truly become better, happier people.

For decades, we’ve been told that positive thinking is the key to a happy, rich life. ""F**k positivity,"" Mark Manson says. ""Let’s be honest, shit is f**ked and we have to live with it."" In his wildly popular Internet blog, Manson doesn’t sugarcoat or equivocate. He tells it like it is—a dose of raw, refreshing, honest truth that is sorely lacking today. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k is his antidote to the coddling, let’s-all-feel-good mindset that has infected modern society and spoiled a generation, rewarding them with gold medals just for showing up.

Manson makes the argument, backed both by academic research and well-timed poop jokes, that improving our lives hinges not on our ability to turn lemons into lemonade, but on learning to stomach lemons better. Human beings are flawed and limited—""not everybody can be extraordinary, there are winners and losers in society, and some of it is not fair or your fault."" Manson advises us to get to know our limitations and accept them. Once we embrace our fears, faults, and uncertainties, once we stop running and avoiding and start confronting painful truths, we can begin to find the courage, perseverance, honesty, responsibility, curiosity, and forgiveness we seek.

There are only so many things we can give a f**k about so we need to figure out which ones really matter, Manson makes clear. While money is nice, caring about what you do with your life is better, because true wealth is about experience. A much-needed grab-you-by-the-shoulders-and-look-you-in-the-eye moment of real-talk, filled with entertaining stories and profane, ruthless humor, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck is a refreshing slap for a generation to help them lead contented, grounded lives.

Ratings and reviews

I like this book, I haven't finished the entire thing yet but I already feel a sense of understanding from it & it makes me feel calmer & less anxious hearing about something that's not evolved around chasing something/things that you DON'T have & to instead be more at peace & happiness with what you DO have

This book presents a handful of interesting concepts that, for the most part, surprised me on their accuracy. some of which I'd already considered myself, but brushed off, thinking they just were not the case. This book made me rethink my decision. I wish I'd listened to it sooner.

not revelation but good practical principles. a lot of what the author covers are all things I had already believed so this only stood as confirmation for long standing beliefs. everyone should at least get through the first half where the author discusses value metrics, emotions being good for problem situation indications but otherwise useless and determining what we will place our value in.

About the author

Mark Manson is the three-time #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, as well as other titles. His books have sold over 20 million total copies, been translated into more than 65 languages, and reached number one in more than a dozen countries. He's appeared in New York Magazine, Men's Health, and The Times of London among others. A feature film about his life and ideas was released worldwide by Universal Pictures in 2023.