Anger: Wisdom for Cooling the Flames

Written by Thich Nhat Hanh

Narrated by Ken McLeod

"[Thich Nhat Hanh] shows us the connection between personal, inner peace and peace on earth." –His Holiness The Dalai Lama

Nominated by Martin Luther King, Jr. for a Nobel Peace Prize, Thich Nhat Hanh is one of today’s leading sources of wisdom, peace, compassion and comfort.

It was under the bodhi tree in India twenty-five centuries ago that Buddha achieved the insight that three states of mind were the source of all our unhappiness: wrong knowing, obsessive desire, and anger. All are difficult, but in one instant of anger—one of the most powerful emotions—lives can be ruined, and health and spiritual development can be destroyed.

With exquisite simplicity, Buddhist monk and Vietnam refugee Thich Nhat Hanh gives tools and advice for transforming relationships, focusing energy, and rejuvenating those parts of ourselves that have been laid waste by anger. His extraordinary wisdom can transform your life and the lives of the people you love, and in the words of Thich Nhat Hanh, can give each reader the power "to change everything."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Audio
• Release date: Dec 9, 2025
• ISBN: 9798217345373

Thich Nhat Hanh

Thich Nhat Hanh was a world-renowned Buddhist Zen master, poet, author, scholar, and activist for social change, who was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was the author of many bestselling books, including the classics Peace Is Every Step and The Art of Living. Through his books and retreats at the monasteries he has founded in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Australia, he became a pre-eminent figure in contemporary Buddhism, offering teachings that are both deeply rooted in ancient wisdom and accessible to all.  Sister Chan Khong is Thich Nhat Hanh’s most senior monastic disciple and lifelong collaborator. A leading force in his engaged Buddhism programs and humanitarian projects, her books include Learning True Love and Beginning Anew. Sister True Dedication is a former journalist and monastic Dharma Teacher ordained by Thich Nhat Hanh. 

Reviews for Anger

[rajivc_18 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I like this book. It is a good book. He does touch on some extremely practical aspects of how to deal with anger, and while the exhortations to be mindful may seem repetitious, they are relevant. I can testify to this, as I was in a particularly nasty situation recently, and was not mindful. I came off the loser, and it took me a few days of deep breathing to recover my calm.

He does also, in the book, give some extremely practical situations, and some extremely practical tools. there is much value in this.

There seems to be some repetition in the book, and this is why I give it 4, not 5.

[shulera1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Anger was recommended to me by a friend when I asked about a Zen quote he liked, and I must say, I was skeptical. I don't see myself as an angry person, and I didn't think I would get much out of Hanh's book. But, I enjoyed it and a lot of the things he has to say about emotion and taking care of emotion touched me.

I would recommend this to anyone who's stressed out and/or overwhelmed, as it has wonderful things to say about relaxation, awareness, and calm.

[carltonbrownv47 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of those Great Books, a real Gem, and a one i will keep re-reading. This book is really about mindfulness training & techniques and all those cognitive adjusting gems of wisdom coming from a great Buddhist Sage. Easy to read and makes you feel good inside - because you can understand whats going on in your mind! Every time i read it i learn more & more. The only issue is the Title ("Anger") - Pull it out on a train to read and people don´t sit next to you :)

[biunicorn_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Anger
Buddhist Wisdom For Cooling the Flames
by Thich Nhat Hanh

I have read this author's work before, and as I connected to his words of peace and understanding I felt a calmness and happiness deep down to my bones. Don't let the 227 pages fool ya, this ambassador of love and light is anything but long and boring. The format is simple and broken down into easy to digest concepts that gave my whirling mind something to focus on and ponder.

Thich talks about anger as a destructive emotion that can be very deep seeded and a major destroyer of peace and joy in our lives and the lives of others. Breath and the art of breathing plays a large part in the quieting of the mind and releasing of the anger energies within the body. As a healer and intuitive I am very familiar with what anger energy looks like and it's negative effects. I would recommend this book to anyone who has issues with anger on any level and is seeking ways of not letting it control their lives. This precious book has found it's way to my spiritual toolbox.

Love & Light,

Riki Frahmann

[liberality_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was full of anger at my family growing up. I was abused about every way a being can be abused so being angry was natural, however as I got older this anger was hurting me but hard to let go. Thich Nhat Hanh is great at explaining how to dissolve our anger--to let it go and be a force of love instead. As for myself, I could be right and be miserable or I could be love and be happy. I chose the love.

One caveat: co-dependent people will have to tread carefully here and not let this philosophy be an excuse to not take care of themselves and instead put up with other people's crap.

[neontapir_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An excellent Buddhist perspective on anger, accessible to Westerners and Christians.