There is a popular, well written novel by Tom Wolfe in 1998 called, A Man in Full. Tom Wolfe has a degree in philosophy from Yale University. In this novel, he has us following the lives of two modern characters, Charlie Croker, an established Southern football hero and entrepreneur, and Conrad Hensley, a young blue collar worker from California. Their lives keep spiraling downward into helpless situations of seemingly insurmountable proportions. Through chance, Hensley is exposed to the teachings of Epictetus and by applying them to his life he starts to work his way clear of his troubles. When Hensley ends up working with Croker, he imparts his knowledge to the elder hero who uses Epictetus' philosophy to escape the heavy shackles placed upon him.

It is a captivating story with twists and turns surprising the reader at every step. Mr. Wolfe has an uncanny knack in relating the burdens, both emotional and physical that are placed on these sorry characters. After you see how Epictetus's teachings could be applied to these situations, you realize that they can also help every individual deal with life's travails. The reading of this book can lead to a rich and rewarding adventure into the teachings and philosophy of Epictetus.