As Hegel pointed out, societies modernize when news replaces religion as the primary source of guidance and cornerstone of authority. In developed economies, news now holds a position of power at least equivalent to that previously enjoyed by doctrines.

In his impressive new book, Alain de Botton takes twenty-five archetypal news stories - from a plane crash to a murder, from an interview with a celebrity to a political scandal - and subjects them to an unusually detailed analysis, raising questions such as: how do stories of destruction often be so captivating? What makes the love lives of the famous so interesting? Why do we enjoy the downfall of politicians? Why are uprisings in distant countries often so... boring?