How to Be Human: The Manual

By: Ruby Wax

Narrated by: Ruby Wax, Ash Ranpura, Gelong Thubten

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of How to be Human: The Manual written and read by Ruby Wax with Ash Ranpura and Gelong Thubten.

It took us 4 billion years to evolve to where we are now. No question, anyone reading this has won the evolutionary Hunger Games by the fact you're on all twos and not some fossil. This should make us all the happiest species alive, yet most of us aren't. What's gone wrong? We've started treating ourselves more like machines and less like humans. We're so used to upgrading things like our iPhones: as soon as the new one comes out, we don't think twice, we dump it. (Many people I know are now on iWife4 or iHusband8, the motto being, if it's new, it's better.)

We can't stop the future from arriving, no matter what drugs we're on. But even if nearly every part of us becomes robotic, we'll still, fingers crossed, have our minds, which, hopefully, we'll be able to use for things like compassion rather than chasing what's 'better', and if we can do that we're on the yellow brick road to happiness.

I wrote this book with a little help from a monk, who explains how the mind works and also gives some mindfulness exercises, and a neuroscientist who explains what makes us 'us' in the brain. We answer every question you've ever had about evolution, thoughts, emotions, the body, addictions, relationships, kids, the future and compassion. How to be Human is extremely funny, true and the only manual you'll need to help you upgrade your mind as much as you've upgraded your iPhone.

©2017 Ruby Wax (P)2017 Penguin Audio

funny and smart insights

start with yourself and understand how your mind and body can be friend or foe. really relatable stories and examples sprinkled with humor and openness.

Life changer!

Loved every minute & continue listening to different chapters when I need reminders and inspiration! Truly courageous work and a gift. Thank You!

A pick-me-up

Lighthearted, easy to listen to and great mindfulness tips. Would recommend if down in dumps!

Clarity on mindfulness

This is one of the clearest, helpful books on mindfulness I’ve listened to so far - read brilliantly by Ruby, with additions from Ash and Gelong. I teach mindfulness, and shall be recommending it in all my classes.

A Comedian, a Neuro Scientist and a Monk = Brilliant

I was so impressed w/ this audio book presentation, I also purchased hard copy of book. It's a comedic textbook w/valuable proven scientific data, accompanied by Ruby's personal experiences and research, w/ wonderful explanations and exercises for mindful practices.

loved this book

loved this book. I wish more books had discussions between experts. Super informative. I hope there is a sequel.

One off the best books I we ever read !!

Gave me so much sense off reality and everyday‘s life !! Absolutely love it !! By the way I we already hear it tree times !!

Insightful, witty, and entertaining! 

I loved this book. I didn't feel like i was reading a book- well listening to a book... I felt like I was being let in on a conversation explaining to me why i am not my fault; from a science perspective, enter the neuroscientist,  from a philosophical perspective, monk,  and then Ruby being the translator, making it so i could understand and more importantly making me feel like i needed and wanted to know all this information while not forgetting to smile and laugh along the way! Insightful, witty, and entertaining! 

Veey enjoyable, insightful and humorous!

I loved listening to this book. Ruby is really funny and made heavy topics seem light and approachable. It was soothing, warming and inspiring.