Looks at the manic and peculiar positions that 'the news' occupies in our lives. Mixing current affairs with philosophical reflections, this title offers an illustrated guide to the precautions we should take before venturing anywhere near the news and the 'noise' it generates.

Alain de Botton explores our relationship with 'the news' in this book full of his trademark wit and wisdom. Following on from his bestselling Religion for Atheists, Alain de Botton turns now to look at the manic and peculiar positions that 'the news' occupies in our lives. We invest it with an authority and importance which used to be the preserve of religion - but what does it do for us? Mixing current affairs with philosophical reflections, de Botton offers a brilliant illustrated guide to the precautions we should take before venturing anywhere near the news and the 'noise' it generates. Witty and global in reach, The News will ensure you'll never look at reports of a celebrity story or political scandal in quite the same way again. "One of our most consistently illuminating writers on contemporary culture". (John Gray, New Statesman). Alain de Botton's bestselling books include Religion for Atheists, How Proust Can Change Your Life, The Art of Travel, and The Architecture of Happiness. He lives in London and founded The School of Life and Living Architecture.