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The Wisdom of Insecurity Mass Market Paperback – Jan. 1 1951
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Purchase options and add-ons
- Print length152 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherVintage
- Publication dateJan. 1 1951

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Product details
- ASIN : B00656HDL2
- Publisher : Vintage
- Publication date : Jan. 1 1951
- Language : English
- Print length : 152 pages
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Alan Wilson Watts (6 January 1915 – 16 November 1973) was a British-born American philosopher, writer, and speaker, best known as an interpreter and populariser of Eastern philosophy for a Western audience. Born in Chislehurst, England, he moved to the United States in 1938 and began Zen training in New York. Pursuing a career, he attended Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, where he received a master's degree in theology. Watts became an Episcopal priest in 1945, then left the ministry in 1950 and moved to California, where he joined the faculty of the American Academy of Asian Studies In San Francisco.
In 1953 he began his groundbreaking public radio series, first as The Great Books of Asia and later Way Beyond the West, which began airing in Los Angeles in 1959. The radio series, along with his bestselling book, The Way of Zen, launched him into a career as a talented philosophical interpreter and a prolific public speaker, and in the 1960's he was adopted by the Counterculture movement as a spiritual figurehead. He and his peers, including Aldous Huxley, Joseph Campbell, and Gregory Bateson, helped establish the Esalen Institute, which become the epicenter for the Human Potential Movement in the late sixties and seventies. Watts travelled widely between 1965 and his passing in 1973, and his works include 25 books, 250 lectures and interviews, and over 100 workshops and television appearances. His legacy continues with the Alan Watts Org directed by his son, Mark Watts.
Customer reviews
Customers say
Customers find the content profound, worth reading, and one of the best books they've ever read. They describe the writing style as incredibly enjoyable, witty, and insightful. Readers appreciate the great perspective for the modern world, timeless ideas for living, and the book makes the present moment matter.
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Customers find the book interesting, brilliant, and a must-read for everyone living today. They say it's thought-provoking, profound, and practical. Readers also mention the author loves all of Alan Watts' books.
"Great read. Profound and practical. Make the moment matter. “If you make every moment matter, you have a life that matters.” — Ellen Langer" Read more
"Good book" Read more
"This book has provided an incredibly interesting outlook on the meaning of life and the meaning of now. Very good :)" Read more
"...It's a book that can be reread multiple times. It's definitely a mind blower...." Read more
Customers find the writing style enjoyable, insightful, and witty.
"...Watts has an amazing way of explaining his beliefs through his unique way of writing...." Read more
"Everyone takes from each great piece of writing differently, for me personally, I read this book as my mother was passing away from a terminal..." Read more
"Funny, insightful, complex and witty to boot. Not for the faint of mind and those not willing to have their mind subtly blown...." Read more
"...of this book makes for a truly profound read, and his writing style is incredibly enjoyable. Absolutely recommended." Read more
Customers find the book provides a great perspective for the modern world. They say it has timeless ideas for living and is informative yet imaginative.
"The way he writes gets to me. Informative yet imaginative." Read more
"Timeless ideas for living" Read more
"Great perspective for the modern world, despite it's vintage..." Read more
Customers find the book profound and practical. They say it makes the moment matter.
"Great read. Profound and practical. Make the moment matter. “If you make every moment matter, you have a life that matters.” — Ellen Langer" Read more
"...I feel that he explains The Ego, Religion, and the present moment so well compared to many other authors out there...." Read more
"Great." Read more
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Top reviews from Canada
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- Reviewed in Canada on April 4, 2024Verified PurchaseThis book has provided an incredibly interesting outlook on the meaning of life and the meaning of now. Very good :)
- Reviewed in Canada on June 8, 2022Verified PurchaseThe book came brand new. Very clean. It was delivered delicately.
I love this book. Im glad I added it to my collection. It's a book that can be reread multiple times. It's definitely a mind blower. The perspective of Alan is very intense for someone who isn't used to seeing things differently than what we've been taught, especially in the Western Culture.
I would recommend this book if you are open minded.
The book came brand new. Very clean. It was delivered delicately.
I love this book. Im glad I added it to my collection. It's a book that can be reread multiple times. It's definitely a mind blower. The perspective of Alan is very intense for someone who isn't used to seeing things differently than what we've been taught, especially in the Western Culture.
I would recommend this book if you are open minded.
Images in this review
- Reviewed in Canada on October 16, 2024Verified PurchaseGreat read. Profound and practical. Make the moment matter. “If you make every moment matter, you have a life that matters.” — Ellen Langer
- Reviewed in Canada on July 12, 2020Verified PurchaseI love the work of Allan Watts. I feel that he explains The Ego, Religion, and the present moment so well compared to many other authors out there. I'm not discrediting anyone else's work but Allan Watts has an amazing way of explaining his beliefs through his unique way of writing. I recommend this book to anyone who struggles with a racing mind and to anyone who deals with insecurity (which is all of us to a certain degree). He really drives his point well about way we are always looking for certainty. I do recommend.
- Reviewed in Canada on March 21, 2024Verified PurchaseThe way he writes gets to me.
Informative yet imaginative.
- Reviewed in Canada on August 4, 2024Verified Purchasesometimes I have to re-read his circular statements but relax on it and don't over-think and get the full enjoyment of Alan's teachings.
- Reviewed in Canada on February 24, 2024Verified PurchaseI like reading Allan Watts. This is a gift that is appreciated.
- Reviewed in Canada on July 29, 2019Verified PurchaseThe book is pretty slow read and the material didn’t was in no way a novelty.
Top reviews from other countries
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Alessandro SilvaReviewed in Brazil on January 19, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Boa leitura!
Verified PurchaseComprei pra treinar o inglês e gostei da leitura. O autor tentar passar a visao holistica que tudo e todos estam interligados. E atraves tanto da ciencia como da religiao estamos dissecados em varias partes para melhor entender a nós mesmos, porem quando fazemos isso deixamos de fora muitas outras partes que nao foram analisadas ou omitidas durante o estudo de nós mesmos. Visao bem interessante. Uma boa crítica a ciencia e a religiao. Pode ler!