This Life

徐寿柏Aug 2026

3.0

Word count: 130K words
Chapters: 40

Summary

By interpreting the various phenomena, patterns, and success stories of a person's "whole life," this book guides us to take every step well, live every day well, and live this life well, creating a happier and more beautiful life. It is at once an interpretation of life, a summary of patterns, and a guide to life: one volume in hand, a lifetime free of worry, a lifetime of happiness.

Editor's review

Centered on "this life," the book interprets the recurring phenomena, patterns, and success stories of human life, seeking to offer readers a lifelong frame of reference. Its approach leans toward summary and guidance, emphasizing distilling patterns from phenomena and then turning those patterns into practicable steps, so it reads more like a life guide than a work of pure speculation. Its value lies in helping readers build a holistic perspective: not confining themselves to gains and losses at one stage but examining life as a continuous process, so as to keep a sense of direction in every choice. The book's distillation of success stories suits those at a turning point who need to re-sort their priorities in life. Note that the usefulness of guide-style writing depends on whether readers are willing to adapt it to their own circumstances; copying conclusions wholesale has limited value. A good rhythm is "read a section, think of one thing, take one step," checking the book's patterns against your own experience to form your own action list.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers at a life turning point who need to sort out their overall direction
Readers who like to distill methods from experience and patterns and value practical application
Young people who want a whole-life perspective and to avoid focusing only on immediate gains and losses
Introspective readers willing to read while checking against their own experience and drawing up action lists

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting literary narrative or emotional resonance
Academic readers seeking support from rigorous social-science research evidence
Readers unwilling to think about their own situation and wanting only to apply conclusions directly

Reading tips

Read the table of contents first to grasp the overall framework, then select chapters relevant to your current life stage.
After each section, write down one small thing you can try that week, turning the pattern into action.
Keep a selective attitude toward the success stories summarized in the book, judging applicability against your own conditions.
A month after finishing, review your notes to see which suggestions actually changed your daily choices.

版权信息
《这一生》自序
第一部分妙趣人生
第一章趣味人生
第二章字里人生
第三章境界人生
第四章价值人生
第五章优劣人生
第二部分智慧人生
第一章循序渐进
第二章有的放矢
第三章因为所以
第四章知易行难
第五章患得患失
第六章成败由己
第七章小题大做
第八章进退维谷
第九章化危为机
第十章得天独厚
第一一章天差地别
第一二章情通理顺
第一三章百计千方
第一四章实践出真知
第一五章左右逢源
第一六章一本万利
第一七章根深叶茂
第一八章是非曲直
第一九章人定胜天
第二十章有条不紊
第二一章天时地利
第二二章周而复始
第二三章时过境迁
第二四章形式主义
第二五章万变不离其宗
第二六章阳谋诡计
第三部分幸福人生
第一章幸福人生三件事
第二章幸福建议
第三章人生感言
后记

FAQ

What age group is this book suitable for?

The book takes the whole of life as its subject, and readers of different ages can find corresponding content. Young people can use it to build a holistic perspective, middle-aged readers can reflect on the focus of their current stage, and older readers can look back and take stock. What matters is whether readers are willing to combine the book's patterns with their own specific circumstances.

Can the success stories in the book be applied directly?

Direct application is not recommended. What the book summarizes are phenomena and patterns of a general nature, while each person's conditions, resources, and goals differ, so applicability varies. A more effective approach is to treat the suggestions as a starting point for thought, select and adjust them to your own situation, and form an action plan that suits you.

How is this book different from common motivational books?

The book's focus is not short-term motivation but interpreting life as a continuous process, emphasizing the sorting of phenomena and the summary of patterns, and stressing action at every step. It is more a lifelong frame of reference than an emotional pep talk. Readers still need to adapt it to their own experience for its guidance to take effect.

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About the author

徐寿柏 Author

Xu Shoubai: public information about this author is limited. At present, only one work by Xu is known, This Life, which is classified as prose and miscellaneous writings. Judging from the title and the category, the book is likely a collection of prose writings that take the author's own life course as a thread, perhaps recalling past events, observing everyday life, and reflecting on the stages and moods of a life. Prose of this kind usually values genuine feeling and plain expression; the author tends to narrate from a first-person or closely personal perspective, with language that seeks sincerity and naturalness rather than ornament. Because verifiable details such as biography, place of origin, and profession are lacking, Xu Shoubai's writing background and the full scope of his work are difficult to assess, and the reach and influence of his writing among readers await further material. The available clues indicate only that one prose work exists; other matters should not be conjectured. Readers interested in this author may turn to the text of This Life to form their own sense of its style and subject matter.