Solitude

Netta Weinstein is an internationally recognized psychologist and director of the European Research Council's 'Solitude: Alone but Resilient' (SOAR) project. Her research focuses on motivation and well-being. She is also Professor of Psychology at the University of Reading and an associate researcher at the Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford, UK. Heather Hansen is an independent science writer and author. She joined SOAR in 2020 to lend her expertise in interviewing and communication. She has won awards from the American Society of Journalists and Authors, the Society of American Travel Writers, and the Colorado Authors League. Thuy-vy T. Nguyen is a pioneer and expert in studying solitude in laboratory experiments and investigating the factors that lead to different concepts of solitude. She is also Associate Professor in Psychology at Durham University, a fellow at Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Well-being, and principal investigator of the Solitude Lab at Durham University, UK.

'Evocative prose helps convey the shifting realities of solitude as experienced by both the interview subjects and the authors … It's an illuminating take on a fundamental aspect of being human.' Publishers Weekly

• A note to the reader; Introduction; 1. Solitude is not just for hermits, poets, and billionaires; 2. Everyday solitude for everyday people; 3. What makes solitude great?; 4. Mapping the benefits of solitude; 5. What's choice got to do with it?; 6. Balancing solitude with social time; 7. Super/natural solitude; 8. Finding your happy place in solitude; 9. Can we get better at being alone?; 10. Solitude across a lifetime.