This is a collection of essays by Bertrand Russell first published in 1935. In the 1932 essay which gives the title to the volume, Russell propose people work for a maximum of 4 hours-per-day to think, socialise, etc. Other essays treat about sociology, philosophy and economy and also technical architectural problems are discussed in a social frame proposing solutions. **CONTENTS (original edition)** Preface I In praise of idleness (1932) II "Useless" knowledge III Architecture and social questions IV The modern Midas V The ancestry of fascism VI Scylla and Charybdis; or, communism and fascism VII The case for socialism VIII Western civilization IX On youthful cynicism (1929) X Modern homogeneity (1930) XI Men versus insects (1933) XII Education and discipline XIII Stoicism and mental health (1928) XIV On comets XV What is the soul?