The Meaning of Life

With letters from Professor Lord Robert Winston, Anil Seth, Dame Hilary Mantel, Oliver Burkeman, Dame Kelly Holmes, Adam Grant, Sir John Major and many more . . .

When James Bailey was feeling lost in life, he was inspired by philosopher Will Durant's 1930s project to write to 100 luminaries in arts, politics, religion, sport and sciences, challenging them to respond to the fundamental question of life's meaning. The response was more remarkable than he could have ever imagined.

A decade on, James had garnered an incredible collection of replies, collated here for the first time. By turns, thought-provoking, amusing and enlightening, these letters from scientists, writers, campaigners, athletes, political leaders, entertainers, survivors and philosophers are a wonderful source of inspiration. Some are about happiness and heartbreak, some are about purpose, some are funny and some will change the way you think.

The Meaning of Life is a gift from people of all walks of life with incredible experience, connecting through one meaningful question that broadens our understanding of what it really means to be human and happy.