Ichiro Kishimi Non-Fiction books in order

Q: "How many books are in the Ichiro Kishimi Non-Fiction series?"

"There are two books in the Ichiro Kishimi Non-Fiction series, published between 2013 and 2016."

Q: "What is the first book in the Ichiro Kishimi Non-Fiction series?"

"The first book in the Ichiro Kishimi Non-Fiction series is The Courage to Be Disliked, published in 2013."

Q: "What are these books about?"

"Both books explore Alfred Adler's Individual Psychology through a Socratic dialogue between a philosopher and a young man. The Courage to Be Disliked argues that past experiences do not determine your present, that all problems are interpersonal, and that freedom means accepting that others may dislike you. The Courage to Be Happy applies these ideas to education and daily life."

Reading order

#	Title	Published	Author	Buy on Amazon
1	The Courage to Be Disliked	2013	Ichiro Kishimi	Buy
2	The Courage to Be Happy	2016	Ichiro Kishimi	Buy

The Courage to Be Disliked (2013) and The Courage to Be Happy (2016) present Alfred Adler’s psychological theories through a dialogue between a philosopher and a skeptical young man. The format is modeled on Platonic dialogues — the youth challenges the philosopher’s ideas, pushing back before gradually coming around.

The first book introduces core Adlerian concepts: that past trauma does not determine your present choices, that all human problems are interpersonal, and that freedom comes from accepting that not everyone will like you. The Courage to Be Happy picks up three years later, with the young man now a teacher. It applies Adlerian principles to education, child-rearing, and the question of what genuine contentment looks like. Together, the two books have sold over 10 million copies worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the Ichiro Kishimi Non-Fiction series?

There are two books in the Ichiro Kishimi Non-Fiction series, published between 2013 and 2016.

What is the first book in the Ichiro Kishimi Non-Fiction series?

The first book in the Ichiro Kishimi Non-Fiction series is The Courage to Be Disliked, published in 2013.

What are these books about?

Both books explore Alfred Adler’s Individual Psychology through a Socratic dialogue between a philosopher and a young man. The Courage to Be Disliked argues that past experiences do not determine your present, that all problems are interpersonal, and that freedom means accepting that others may dislike you. The Courage to Be Happy applies these ideas to education and daily life.

Reading order#

Frequently Asked Questions

Reading order