The bestselling prizewinning author of How to Live and At the Existentialist Caf explores the great tradition of humanist writers thinkers scientists and artists all trying to understand what it means to be truly human. THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A BARACK OBAMA BOOK OF THE YEAR I cant imagine a better history PHILIP PULLMAN Fascinating moving funny OLIVER BURKEMANIf you are reading this you may already be a humanist. Even if you dont know it.Do you love literature and the arts Do you have a strong moral compass despite not being formally religious Do you simply believe that individual lives are more important than grand political visions If any of these apply you are part of a long tradition of humanist thought.In Humanly Possible Sarah Bakewell asks what humanism is and why it has flourished for so long. By introducing us to the adventurous lives and ideas of famous humanists through 700 years of history she shows how the humanist values that helped steer us through dark times in the past are just as urgently needed in our world today.An epic spinetingling and persuasive work of history Daily TelegraphAs she romps through the centuries readers will feel assured that they are in the company of a gifted guide The Economist