Author Alan Jacobs describes his book best: "Perhaps the one quality, more than any other, that we human beings earnestly desire is peace of mind. This major Anthology is packed full of wise and beautiful selections of prose and poetry to help readers achieve this blessed state. There is no doubt that we live in difficult times. Nevertheless this book will provide the strength and capacity to overcome any sorrow and return the reader to an optimistic state of mind, poised to forge a happy and contented future."