How to Be an Existentialist: Or How to Get Real, Get a Grip and Stop Making Excuses Book

I would recommend this book to anyone who has a basic ability to grasp abstract concepts. Overall, it approaches its point with a direct simplicity, not over-saturating the concept with muddling jargon and academic posturing.

There is a bit in the middle when I started to feel a bit over my head (once he starts in with the "facticity"s) but it quickly passed.

It is short enough not to seem daunting, as many philosophers are dreadfully verbose, taking three pages to say what might be said in one.

I would recommend reading it with a highlighter pen, as there are many "ahas" to be found, even if you want nothing more than to understand what existentialists believe.

My main criticism would be that Cox, who has spent much of his life studying Sartre, is willing, although slightly hesitant, to stray outside of this prominent existentialist's body of work. To me it seems more like Cox feels Sartre is all one needs, more than being ignorant of what others have said. That may be true, but I felt a little force fed regarding so much from one existentialist philosopher.

I may read it again in a while.