The World Within

"An intriguing exploration of withdrawal and solitude" — Daily Telegraph

"Stagg writes masterfully" — The Times

What do we gain and what do we lose when we step back from the world? Guy Stagg follows in the footsteps of three extraordinary twentieth-century figures who withdrew during moments of crisis: Ludwig Wittgenstein, David Jones and Simone Weil. Blending history, travel, biography and a moving personal story, The World Within examines how retreat can save a life or transform a creative practice. It asks why the idea of retreat still enchants people to this day and hints at how each one of us can find a sanctuary of our own.

"Stagg writes well and brightly about all he encounters" — Observer

"A readable book that looks at how three people tried to live at the extreme edge of the human spirit" — Literary Review

"Remarkable... Stagg, too, is on a journey, which is what makes his books so attractive and accessible" — The Tablet

"In an age riddled with noise and distraction, The World Within feels timely. It reminds us that silence and solitude are vital for self-discovery" — Press Association